Project Director: Learning and Development

Duke Corporate Education; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading corporate education provider in Sandton is seeking a Project Director to oversee project delivery, client relationships, and the design of learning experiences. The ideal candidate has over 5 years in project management, preferably in learning and development, and holds a formal project management qualification. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to manage complex projects across remote teams.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and learning

Collaboration with top-tier clients

Inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in project management, preferably in professional services or learning & development.
• Experience in leadership development and instructional design.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project delivery including plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Drive client relationships and serve as the primary client contact.
• Translate vision into action and ensure client objectives are met.
• Design impactful learning experiences aligned with client goals.
• Manage financials, resource planning, and deliver profitable programs.
• Contribute to account development and new business proposals.
• Guide and mentor Program Managers to enhance performance.
• Champion digital learning and manage community engagement.

Skills

Project management

Leadership development

Instructional design

Client relationship management

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Remote team management

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Formal project management qualification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2)

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

AtDuke Corporate Education (Duke CE), we believe leadership is the engine of transformation. As aProject Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering leadership development experiences that help organizations and their people thrive in a rapidly changing world.

This is a strategic and hands-on role that blends project leadership, client engagement, and learning design. You will work closely with senior leaders from some of the world’s most influential companies to co-create and deliver high-impact learning journeys. These programs often span multiple geographies and modalities, combining in-person and digital experiences to drive real-world results.

You will bring structure to complexity, manage multiple priorities with professionalism. Success in this role requires resilience, resourcefulness, and a strong sense of ownership. You will be expected to think critically, act decisively, and collaborate effectively across internal and external stakeholders.

In return, you will join a global team that is redefining leadership development. You will have the opportunity to grow your own leadership, contribute to meaningful client work, and be part of a culture that values innovation, excellence, and impact.

What You’ll Do

As a Project Director, you will:

• Lead end-to-end project delivery: Own project plans, timelines, budgets, and contracts to ensure flawless execution.
• Drive client relationships: Serve as the day-to-day client contact, building trust and credibility with senior stakeholders.
• Translate vision into action: Turn high-level learning designs into detailed delivery plans, partnering with internal teams and external faculty.
• Design impactful learning experiences: Apply instructional design principles to shape content, structure learning journeys, and ensure alignment with client objectives.
• Ensure commercial success: Manage financials, resource planning, and educator contracting to deliver profitable, high-quality programs.
• Support business growth: Contribute to account development and new business proposals.
• Mentor and collaborate: Guide Program Managers and work closely with Managing Directors to elevate team performance.
• Champion digital learning: Partner with our digital team to deliver blended and virtual learning experiences, including community management on digital platforms.

What You Bring

• Minimum 5 years’ experiencein project management, preferably in professional services or learning & development.
• Formal project management qualification(e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) preferred.
• Experience inleadership development,instructional design, and consultingin a people-focused field.
• Strongfinancial acumenand ability to manage budgets and forecasts.
• Exceptionalcommunication and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working withremote teamsand managingmultiple complex projectssimultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
• Willingness to travel regularly and work across time zones.

Why Duke CE?

• Join aglobally recognized leaderin executive education.
• Work withtop-tier clients, including FTSE 500 companies.
• Be part of acollaborative, high-performing teamthat values innovation and impact.
• Enjoy opportunities forgrowth, learning, and leadership.

Duke CE is an equal opportunities employer and invites all applicants who meet the requirements to apply.