Project Director

Duke Corporate Education; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading corporate education provider in South Africa seeks an experienced Project Director. The role emphasizes project management and advisory skills, requiring at least 10 years of professional experience, including substantial project management expertise. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to consult with clients, manage multiple projects, and lead cross-functional teams. The position entails regular travel to client sites, fostering strong relationships with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategy or HR advisory.
• Formal PM certification is required.
• Must have experience leading advisory engagements.

Responsibilities

• Consult with clients to interpret strategic needs.
• Lead cross-functional project teams.
• Develop and manage project plans and budgets.
• Prepare and deliver project updates.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Presentation development

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Overview

Office-based with regular travel to client sites. We are seeking a Project Director to join our team in South Africa.

This is a project management, business development, coordination and advisory role, not a facilitation or training position.

At Duke Corporate Education, we empower leaders at all levels to be catalysts of change in their organizations and, ultimately, in society. By designing and delivering best in class advisory, leadership development and change management programs, we accelerate business leaders and their teams to build for the future.

Our global team has an enviable track record of delivering some of the most scaled, impactful and innovative learning programs and leadership interventions in the world. With delivery in over 85 countries, we partner with clients to co-create the right solution for any level of leadership. Together, we transform leaders and business, creating sustainable impact at scale and speed.

Responsibilities

• Consult with clients to interpret strategic needs and translate them into impactful solutions, which may include leadership development, change management or other people‑focused initiatives.
• Lead cross‑functional project teams, providing guidance and feedback to ensure milestones are met.
• Develop and manage actionable project plans, budgets, contracts and timelines.
• Oversee project accounting, including budget tracking, variance analysis and financial reporting.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders, including multinational FTSE organisations.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure quality and progress.
• Prepare and deliver project updates and presentations to clients and internal teams.
• Develop clear, impactful presentations that interpret client needs, communicate insights and support strategic recommendations.
• Identify and manage project risks and issues, driving timely resolution.
• Analyze project accounting data, including variance analysis, to evaluate performance and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategy, people consulting, organisational transformation or HR advisory.
• Preferably from one of the Big Four consulting firms.
• Minimum 8 years of project management experience; formal PM certification required.
• Bachelor's degree in business or a related field.
• Strong professional services acumen, with deep experience leading high‑value advisory engagements across multiple geographies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• Resilient and adaptable, comfortable working in dynamic environments.
• Excel at developing clear, impactful presentations that interpret client needs, communicate insights and support strategic recommendations.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and influence project teams.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with project management tools and software.
• Must be able to travel regularly.