Head : Programme & Project Management Office

Guardrisk Group; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider in South Africa seeks a Director of Project Management. This role leads the PMO function, reinforces governance, and enhances project delivery. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in project management and leadership within the financial services sector. The position offers a full-time engagement aimed at strategic alignment and implementation of projects.

Qualifications

• 10 years of business management experience with exposure to project and programme management.
• At least 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Financial services industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement programme management methodologies, standards and best practices.
• Foster continuous improvement and innovation within programme management.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with business leaders and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership skills

Project execution

Stakeholder management

Agile methodologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management or related field

Postgraduate qualification (MBA)

Job description

Guardrisk, part of Momentum Group Limited, is South Africa's leading provider of cell captive business and alternative risk transfer solutions, offering tailor‑made risk financing and access to professional reinsurance markets.

As the market leader, we specialise in innovative cell captive structures that allow clients to operate their own insurance products within a ring‑fenced facility, including underwriting, actuarial, legal, compliance and financial reporting services – without the costs and complexities of establishing an insurance company.

Registered for most statutory classes of non‑life and life insurance, we provide customised cover and strategic risk solutions for corporates that are serious about risk management, those facing complex or high‑cost risks and businesses looking to offer their own branded insurance products.

Disclaimer: As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.

Role Purpose

Leads and oversees the PMO function to ensure effective governance, consistent delivery, and strategic alignment of project and programme activities.

The role drives project management standards and execution, prioritises initiatives, supports project teams, and collaborates with stakeholders to optimise resources, pivot where needed and deliver business value.

It also oversees digital transformation initiatives, operationalises data use cases, and implements technology and business process solutions.

This role reports to the COO.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Project Management, Operations or a related field.

Postgraduate qualification or study, such as an MBA or equivalent, is advantageous.

Certification in Agile, Lean or Change Management is beneficial.

Experience

10 years of business management experience with exposure to project and programme management.

At least 3–5 years in a leadership role.

Financial Services industry experience (essential)

Strong leadership skills with a record of successfully delivering complex projects.

Duties & Responsibilities

Project Portfolio Oversight

• Design and implement programme management methodologies, standards and best practices.
• Establish governance frameworks for compliance and consistency.
• Drive project execution to meet business case time and budget.
• Support development of group‑wide strategy outcomes, OKRs and prioritise execution with stakeholders.
• Lead data‑use‑case implementation and delivery, technology and process adoption.
• Provide feasibility support and approve business cases.

Prioritise projects aligned to OKRs and business outcomes.

• Define and document project scope, objectives, success measures and dependencies.
• Foster continuous improvement and innovation within programme management.
• Identify, assess and manage risks with mitigation strategies.
• Oversee project documentation : minutes, status reports, risk logs and action logs.
• Approve project plans, resource schedules, budgets and expenditures; manage project close‑out.

Client Engagement and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with business leaders, executive committees, external partners and stakeholders.
• Translate requirements into clear project scopes aligned with best practices.
• Manage service level agreements and recommend improvements.
• Promote a culture of rewarding client relationships through communication, feedback and service excellence.
• Engage stakeholders to prioritise projects, address challenges and maintain alignment.
• Ensure transparent and effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead and mentor a team of Programme and Project Managers and staff.
• Develop strong relationships with peers and stakeholders to influence change initiatives.
• Create and monitor resource balanced scorecards aligned to priorities.
• Encourage professional growth, innovation and career development within the team.

Process Improvement and Change Management

• Promote continuous improvement of project management processes and tools.
• Support change management to facilitate smooth transitions and maximise benefits.

Competencies

• Developing Strategies : comfortable leading people, coordinating groups, seeking control.
• Examining Information : analyses and processes information, asks probing questions, seeks solutions.
• Interacting with People : lively, enthusiastic, proactive in networking.
• Pursuing Goals : ambitious, determined, persists through difficulties.
• Managing Tasks : organised, methodical, sets priorities.
• Embraces Change : copes with change, tolerates uncertainty, adapts to challenges.
• Producing Output : focused, productive, multitasks to deliver output.

Enquiries : Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Project Management and Information Technology