Project Developer

Localisation Support Fund; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 90 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Project Developer to spearhead impactful localisation projects in South Africa. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional business development skills and the ability to cultivate relationships with diverse stakeholders. You'll oversee project identification, execution, and delivery, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while enhancing industrial growth. If you are passionate about driving localisation and industrialisation goals, this opportunity offers a platform to make a significant impact in the industry.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years in senior business development or project development roles.
• Experience in leading high-performing teams and managing projects.

Responsibilities

• Identify and execute high-impact localisation projects.
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders and industry leaders.
• Develop robust project proposals for committee approval.

Skills

Business Development

Stakeholder Management

Project Development

Financial Modelling

Strategic Thinking

Education

Postgraduate degree in finance

Business Administration

Engineering

Job description

Purpose of the Role

The Project Developer is responsible for developing projects from concept through to approval and supporting the delivery and evaluation of funded interventions. The role ensures that LSF projects are strategically aligned, rigorously developed, and contribute meaningfully to localisation and industrialisation goals.

The role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional business development skills, a strong ability to build lasting relationships across diverse stakeholders, and the capability to translate strategic objectives into tangible outcomes that enhance South Africa’s industrial growth and localisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Identification and Execution: Identification, development, and execution of high-impact localisation projects, ensuring alignment with LSF’s strategic objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including industry leaders, government officials, and public-private partnerships.
• Sector Collaboration: Partner with sector experts to identify opportunities that catalyse industrial growth and localisation efforts.
• Proposal Development: Develop robust project proposals, including financial models and impact assessments, and present them for project committee approval.
• Project Delivery: Oversee the execution of approved projects, ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and timelines.
• Network Development: Build and maintain a network of industry, finance, and consulting professionals to inform project development and implementation.

Key Competencies

• Strong business development acumen with proven experience in identifying and executing high-value opportunities.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align diverse groups toward shared goals.
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution capability to deliver impactful projects.
• Expertise in project development and management, including financial modelling and impact assessment.
• Experience in leading and inspiring high-performing teams in dynamic environments.
• Familiarity with South Africa’s manufacturing, industrial, and localisation landscape is a strong advantage.

Key Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in finance, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in senior business development, consulting, or project development roles in finance, consulting, or engineering industries.
• Proven track record of developing and executing complex, high-impact projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and build partnerships across sectors.