Discipline Lead, Advisory Property and Buildings

WSP; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Discpline Lead: Advisory Services to define and execute the advisory strategy for its Property & Buildings business across Africa. You will lead growth, governance and delivery of market-leading advisory services focused on technical transaction advisory, sustainable buildings and digital transformation.

The role combines business development, proposition development, and leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with responsibility for client engagement, market positioning and

Qualifications

• Minimum NQF Level 8 qualification in the built environment or related discipline.
• 15+ years' experience in advisory, consulting, engineering, infrastructure or property sectors.
• Proven track record in winning and leading complex consulting assignments.
• Strong commercial acumen and business development capability.
• Experience establishing, growing or transforming professional services businesses.
• Established executive-level client network.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing business performance and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and grow a strategic pipeline of advisory opportunities across Africa.
• Lead executive-level client engagement and investment stakeholder relationships.
• Identify and secure opportunities during strategy, feasibility, investment and transaction phases.
• Lead major pursuits, proposals, presentations and financial negotiations.
• Develop account-based growth strategies for key clients and sectors.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Business development

Leadership

Executive engagement

Education

NQF Level 8 qualification in Built Environment

Job description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

As the Discipline Lead: Advisory Services, you will be responsible for developing and executing the Advisory Services strategy for WSP's Property & Buildings business in Africa. You will lead the growth of a sustainable advisory portfolio, positioning WSP earlier in the client decision-making process and creating opportunities that generate both direct advisory revenue and pull-through opportunities for the broader business.

This is a highly strategic and market-facing leadership role, combining business development, proposition development, technical leadership and project oversight. The successful candidate will play a key role in building a market-leading advisory practice focused on technical transaction advisory, sustainable buildings, intelligent assets, digital transformation and development advisory services.

Your responsibilities will include:

Business Development & Work Winning

• Develop and grow a strategic pipeline of advisory opportunities across the African market.
• Lead executive-level client engagement and investment stakeholder relationships.
• Identify and secure opportunities during strategy, feasibility, investment and transaction phases.
• Lead major pursuits, proposals, presentations and commercial negotiations.
• Develop account-based growth strategies for key clients and sectors.
• Generate pull-through opportunities for engineering, project management, sustainability and digital services.
• Build market visibility through thought leadership, conferences and industry engagement.

Advisory Service Development

• Develop and package market-leading advisory propositions and solutions.
• Establish delivery frameworks, methodologies, tools and intellectual property.
• Create scalable service catalogues, pricing models and standardised deliverables.
• Ensure service quality, consistency and competitiveness across the market.
• Identify and launch new advisory products aligned with client and market demand.

Advisory Project Leadership

• Provide executive oversight and governance across advisory engagements.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, commercially successful projects.
• Drive quality assurance, technical governance and risk management practices.
• Monitor project performance, profitability and client satisfaction.
• Support project directors and technical leaders on complex commissions.

Strategic Growth & Capability Building

• Develop and implement the Advisory Services growth roadmap.
• Establish the organisational structure required to support future growth.
• Identify capability gaps and lead targeted recruitment initiatives.
• Mentor and develop advisory leaders and future talent.
• Build communities of practice and centres of excellence.

Strategic Partnerships

• Establish and manage strategic partnerships that strengthen the advisory offering.
• Collaborate with financial advisors, ESG specialists, property economists, technology providers and asset management specialists.
• Lead joint pursuits and integrated client solutions.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and grow a high-performing Advisory Services team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Promote cross-functional integration across Property & Buildings and the wider WSP business.
• Support talent development, succession planning and transformation objectives.

What we’ll be looking for you to demonstrate…

Essential Requirements

• Minimum NQF Level 8 qualification in the built environment or a related discipline.
• 15+ years' experience in advisory, consulting, engineering, infrastructure, property or related sectors.
• Proven track record in winning and leading complex consulting assignments.
• Strong commercial acumen and business development capability.
• Experience establishing, growing or transforming professional services businesses.
• Established executive-level client network.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing business performance and profitability.

Highly Desirable

• Technical due diligence or transaction advisory experience.
• Asset management advisory experience.
• Sustainability, ESG or decarbonisation consulting experience.
• Property development or real estate advisory experience.
• Strategic or management consulting experience.
• Experience working across Africa.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

We are looking for a leader who is entrepreneurial, commercially astute and passionate about building a market-leading advisory business. You will have the opportunity to shape a new service line, influence strategic client outcomes and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of WSP across Africa.

What’s in it for you?

• What if we can have a work-life balance?
• What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs?
• What if we can be accepted for who we are?

Here at WSP - we can!

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives, and making time for the other things in our lives is important - be that our families, our friends, or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time, or having flexible start and finish times will help with this, let us know as part of your application. As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first-class medical cover, generous annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions. Be you, be happy - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects and maximizes the contribution individuals can bring to WSP. We recognize the benefits that people with varying backgrounds and experiences can bring

Inclusion and Diversity

Here at WSP we are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, and actively encourage candidates from designated groups, including black people, women, and persons with disabilities, to apply. As part of our commitment to transformation and equity, we will give due consideration to affirmative action measures where applicable.