Principal Project Manager

Blue Pearl HQ; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project management firm in Cape Town seeks a Principal Project Manager to oversee IBM’s complex SAP HANA projects. The candidate will lead project teams, ensuring alignment with client objectives while managing scope, cost, and schedule. Requires 8-10 years in SAP project management and recognized certifications. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are essential, preferably with public sector experience. This is a key role in delivering strategic insights and executive-level reporting.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience managing SAP projects.
• Demonstrated experience in managing at least 3 full SAP ERP project life cycles.
• Strong knowledge of SAP landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex SAP projects from planning through execution.
• Manage scope, cost, schedule, risk, and contractual deliverables.
• Provide strategic insights to analyze business and IT challenges.

Skills

SAP project management

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Education

Recognised Project Management accreditation

PMP, PRINCE2, or PMBOK knowledge

Job description

Cape Town, South Africa | Posted on 02/06/2026

The Principal Project Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of IBM’s largest and most complex SAP HANA Enterprise Application projects, ensuring alignment with client business and IT requirements. This role involves managing client engagements, leading project teams, and delivering solutions according to project charters, agreements, or contracts. The Principal Project Manager provides strategic leadership, manages risks, oversees resources, and ensures that scope, cost, schedule, and contractual obligations are met.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex SAP projects from planning through execution and closure
• Manage scope, cost, schedule, risk, and contractual deliverables
• Direct all project resources, including subcontractors, and maintain an effective communication plan with the team and client
• Analyze business and IT challenges and provide strategic insights
• Apply strategic risk-taking, deal-making techniques, and manage complex business outsourcing contracts
• Lead development of large and complex deals or bids
• Provide executive-level reporting and maintain boardroom presence as needed
• Apply project management methodologies and best practices for SAP landscapes

Requirements

Qualifications & Certifications

• 8–10+ years of experience managing SAP projects
• Recognised Project Management accreditation and qualification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, PMBOK knowledge)
• Demonstrated experience in managing at least 3 full SAP ERP project life cycles
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and SAP landscape knowledge

Candidate Requirements

• Preferably with Public Sector project experience
• Based in Cape Town or willing to work locally

Additional Instructions

Please provide CVs along with associated qualifications and certifications for each candidate as per the submission template.