Head: Strategic Projects (IT)

Oppenheimer Generations; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A values-driven family office in Johannesburg seeks a Head: Strategic Projects to lead strategic initiatives and establish a PMO. The role demands over 10 years of experience in strategy execution and change management, with a focus on relationship building and organisational effectiveness. Join a unique mix of entrepreneurial and philanthropic environments, shaping the organisational culture and making a real impact.

Benefits

Values-driven work environment

Influence organisational culture

Work on transformational projects

Qualifications

• 10+ years in strategy execution, programme management or change roles.
• Experience in establishing or leading a PMO.
• Ability to influence across diverse leadership teams with tact and insight.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a Group-level Project Office.
• Coordinate and report on key technology initiatives across the Group.
• Champion a values-led culture that aligns with strategic goals.

Skills

Strategic execution

Programme management

Change management

Relationship building

Organisational effectiveness

Job description

About Oppenheimer Generations

Oppenheimer Generations is a purpose-driven family office that supports a diverse portfolio of businesses, investments, and philanthropic initiatives. Under our umbrella are independently operated entities such as Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Fireblade Aviation, the South African Future Trust, and initiatives in research, conservation, and social impact.

We work toward a long-term vision that balances sustainable economic participation with social and environmental stewardship. Across our group, we value excellence, adaptability, and the power of collaboration.

Role Overview

The Head: Strategic Projects will establish and lead a Group-level Project Office (PMO), acting as a central orchestrator of strategic initiatives across Oppenheimer Generations and its independently run entities. This role blends strategic programme leadership and organisational change stewardship to ensure successful execution of the Group’s strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate will be both a systems thinker and a relationship builder—able to harmonise cross-entity programmes, unlock synergies, embed a change-embracing culture, and help shape the way the organisation operates and evolves.

Key Responsibilities

1. Establish and Lead a Strategic Project Office

• Design and implement a central project office to coordinate, track, and report on key technology initiatives across the Group.
• Maintain a dynamic portfolio view of all projects—highlighting interdependencies, risks, and opportunities for alignment or synergy.
• Define governance and reporting frameworks that suit the flexible, decentralised nature of the organisation.

2. Strategic Execution Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the IT Executive and senior leadership to ensure effective implementation of cross-cutting strategies and initiatives.
• Facilitate strategic planning cycles and ensure translation of high-level priorities into executable programmes.
• Monitor progress, provide insight, and remove roadblocks to enable decision-making and execution.

3. Organisational Change & Digital Transformation

• Lead the change management approach required for successful adoption of new technologies, ways of working, and structural evolution.
• Build change capability across entities by equipping teams with frameworks, tools, and coaching.
• Support a culture of continuous improvement, openness to innovation, and adaptive leadership.

4. Cultural Stewardship and Values Alignment

• Champion the embedding of a values-led culture that balances independence with shared purpose and excellence.
• Work with HR, Communications, and entity leaders to align organisational culture with strategic goals.
• Promote collaboration across business units while preserving their unique identities and mandates.

Profile & Experience

Essential:

• 10+ years in strategy execution, programme management, or transformation & change roles, ideally in a matrixed or multi-entity organisation.
• Proven success in establishing or leading a PMO or strategic portfolio function.
• Strong experience with change management and organisational effectiveness.
• Ability to influence and align across diverse leadership teams with tact, insight, and integrity.
• Strategic agility and operational focus; able to zoom in and out between vision and detail.

Desirable:

• Exposure to philanthropic, conservation, or impact-oriented work environments.
• Familiarity with agile principles and modern digital transformation practices.
• High emotional intelligence and excellent relationship-building skills.

Why Join Oppenheimer Generations?

• Join a values-driven organisation with a long-term view and commitment to social and environmental stewardship.
• Lead transformational work across a unique mix of entrepreneurial, philanthropic, and conservation-oriented entities.
• Shape and influence the organisational culture and direction at the highest levels of leadership.
• Work in a role that blends strategic oversight with real impact on people, systems, and the future of the Group.