Project Manager

DataFin Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Project Manager to oversee an Automated Fare Collection (AFC) project. This role includes managing the program of works, coordinating vendors, and ensuring timely project delivery while adhering to technical specifications and client expectations. The ideal candidate has a background in engineering and recognized project management qualifications. Proficiency in risk management and vendor coordination is essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, or related discipline) or Information Technology / Computer Science.
• Recognised qualification in Project Management (e.g., PMP, Prince2, or equivalent).
• 5+ years in project management roles with progressive responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Manage the programme of works and technical delivery of an AFC project.
• Coordinate activities across multiple contractors and suppliers.
• Ensure adherence to delivery deadlines and manage project risks.

Skills

Project management skills

Vendor management experience

Problem-solving ability

Clear communication skills

Technical knowledge of AFC systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Information Technology

Recognised qualification in Project Management

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

AWS cloud environment

Job description

ENVIRONMENT

A Consulting Firm who is helping companies create opportunity to accelerate growth through data, is seeking a Project Manager who will be responsible for managing the programme of works and technical delivery of an AFC (Automated Fare Collection) project. Reporting directly to the Project Director, this role will ensure timely, high-quality delivery across all project streams. The Project Manager will coordinate the work of multiple vendors (including consultants, service providers, construction contractor and equipment suppliers) in the turnkey consortium, oversee project integration, and ensure adherence to contractual obligations, technical specifications, and client expectations. The Project Director will focus on contract management, client liaison and overall project delivery, whilst the Project Manager drives day‑to‑day execution, coordination, reporting and technical oversight.

DUTIES

Programme & Delivery Management

• Develop, maintain, and track the detailed works programme, ensuring milestones are achieved within the agreed timeline (12 months, subject to potential acceleration).
  Monitor project progress against deliverables, escalating risks or delays with mitigation strategies.
  Coordinate activities across multiple contractors, suppliers, and service providers, ensuring interdependencies are managed.
  Drive adherence to delivery deadlines, with emphasis on minimizing risks of penalties related to fare loss or delays.
• Project documentation management and maintenance of project records, minutes of meetings, approvals and preparation of handover documents, training manuals and operations & maintenance manuals for the new AFC system.
• Manage project communication through approved channels.

Technical Oversight

Ensure technical requirements for all AFC components of the turnkey solution are met, including:

• Assisting Director with procurement of new Fare collection equipment, thereafter delivery (Incoterms) storage, transportation & oversight of installation. All work on the live system will be during engineering hours (22h00-03h30), PM will require ad hoc visits to installation sites, as and when required.
• Station control computers (10) and Data Central Concentrator (OCC).
• AWS cloud environment, data lake integration, API integrations, website, and mobile app.
• Commissioning and integration of electrical systems.
• API Integration with existing legacy systems, including coordination of existing information with the integrator and the AWS service provider.

Work closely with the two senior consultants:

• Field Services Engineer (Electrical Engineer) to oversee electrical designs, facilitating client approvals and thereafter coordinating the commissioning works with the client, contractor and specialist equipment installers.
• Oversee quality assurance for all installations, ensuring compliance with specifications and best practice, coordinating the designs, client acceptance tests, as‑built, close‑out documentation and reporting requirements.

• Construction Project Manager - Support and align activities of the CPM, who oversees site‑level works by the construction contractor.

Stakeholder & Team Coordination

• Act as primary coordinator between the internal turnkey consortium members, including suppliers/service providers (including AFC/ABT back‑office provider, fare gate supplier, local installers, cloud services provider, cybersecurity specialists, and the construction contractor), and the Clients, including their agents and external service providers.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings, chair and record minutes of meetings with all stakeholders and issue concise progress reports to the Project Director.
• Maintain effective communication channels with the Client, through the Project Director, ensuring transparency and alignment.

Risk & Quality Management

• Identify, track, and mitigate risks, through a risk register. Hold regular project risk management meetings.
• Implement quality management processes to ensure workmanship and system performance meet contractual and technical requirements.
• Maintain a proactive approach to problem‑solving and issue resolution across teams.
• Facilitate information and assist the Project Director with development and responses to contractual claims.

Key Deliverables

• Develop and manage the detailed integrated works programme with clear milestones and dependencies.
• Weekly and monthly progress reports to Project Director and Client.
• Develop and maintain the Risk and Issue register with mitigation plans.
• Review progress and payment claims from consortium members, verify claims with the Construction PM, Field Services Engineer and Project Director against overall progress.
• Facilitate the design process with the internal turnkey consortium team and the Client. Review the design documentation and maintain a record of all communications between the design team and the Client.
• Facilitate information requests (RFI’s) between the turnkey consortium members and the Client, document progress, immediately escalate risk of delays/ cost overruns to the Project Director.
• Quality assurance and acceptance documentation for all delivered systems and infrastructure.
• Coordinate the Handover documentation for commissioning and operational readiness.

REQUIREMENTS

Education (Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, or related discipline) OR Information Technology / Computer Science.
• Recognised qualification in Project Management (e.g., PMP, Prince2, or equivalent).

Education (Preferred)

• Postgraduate qualification in Project Management, Engineering Management, or Business Administration (MBA/PGDip).
• Professional registration with ECSA or equivalent body (advantageous, especially Electrical).

Required Previous Roles / Experience

• Project Engineer / Site Engineer with hands‑on experience in electrical/electronic systems, IT systems, or infrastructure delivery.
  Assistant Project Manager / Project Coordinator with exposure to multi‑vendor projects and client reporting.
  Technical Project Manager / Systems Integration Manager delivering integrated technology solutions.
  Senior Project Manager / Deputy Project Manager accountable for delivery of large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary projects.

Required Professional Experience

• At least one large‑scale transport technology or AFC project delivered.
  5+ years in project management roles with progressive responsibility.
  Vendor coordination across international suppliers, contractors, and local integrators.
  Direct experience with works Programmes, risk management, and technical integration.
  Familiarity with cloud (AWS, Azure), APIs, and data environments.
  Previous accountability for projects with penalties, SLAs, or performance guarantees.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in AFC, transport technology, or large‑scale systems integration.
  Knowledge of cloud (AWS), data lake integration, and cybersecurity requirements.
  Background in managing both civil works and technology vendors in parallel.
• Proficient in MS Office (MS Word, Excel, Outlook etc.) including PowerPoint for preparation of presentations etc.
• Professional communication etiquette, both verbal and written.

Skills

• Project management skills
• Vendor management experience
• Problem‑solving ability
• Clear communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously and also receive instruction and execute accordingly.
• Technical knowledge of AFC and Account Based Ticketing systems

Character Traits

• Must be a strong team player, fostering collaboration across multi‑disciplinary and multi‑cultural teams.
  Demonstrates project maturity, able to balance technical detail with strategic oversight.
  Maintains a constructive and supportive approach, avoiding behaviors that undermine or sabotage team efforts.
  Approaches colleagues and clients with an amicable, respectful, and professional demeanor.
  Inspires confidence through integrity, fairness, and consistent communication.

Expected Outcomes

• On‑time delivery of the AFC ABT system
• Smooth integration with existing transport infrastructure
• Complete vendor compliance with project requirements
• Customer satisfaction
• Facilitate development of High‑quality documentation for future maintenance phase
• Project delivery within time, budget and resource allocation