PROJECT MANAGER – CONSTRUCTION, WATER & WASTEWATER

Sewtreat; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

SewTreat South Africa is seeking an experienced, hands-on Project Manager to own a portfolio of 5–8 construction projects across South Africa and other African countries, focused on water and wastewater systems. You will lead planning, procurement, manufacturing, construction, installation and commissioning on site.

The role requires strong commercial judgement, the ability to coordinate civil works, plumbing and pipework, mechanical installations and electrical interfaces, plus the management

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on project management experience in construction or infrastructure delivery.
• Experience coordinating civil works, plumbing or pipework, mechanical installations and electrical contractors or installation interfaces.
• Proven track record managing multiple construction projects or sites simultaneously.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of 5–8 active projects at different stages, with clear control of priorities, costs, resources and deadlines.
• Experience managing site supervisors, subcontractors, suppliers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Sound understanding of construction drawings, bills of quantities, project programmes, procurement, progress claims and variation control.
• Strong planning, negotiation, problem-solving and written reporting skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and project scheduling software, such as Microsoft Project or an equivalent.
• A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel regularly, including overnight stays and travel to project sites elsewhere in Africa.

Responsibilities

• Manage 5–8 concurrent projects across South Africa and other African countries, balancing deadlines, resources, budgets and site requirements.
• Review contracts, quotations, drawings, bills of quantities and project specifications to understand the agreed scope, deliverables and exclusions.
• Develop and maintain practical project programmes, procurement schedules, resource plans and short-term site work plans.
• Coordinate engineering, draughting, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, site teams and subcontractors to ensure that materials, drawings and resources are available when required.
• Manage site establishment, access arrangements, subcontractor mobilisation and construction activities.
• Oversee civil works, foundations, slabs, tank installations, plumbing, piping, mechanical equipment and electrical installation interfaces.
• Track progress against milestones, identify delays early and implement recovery plans.
• Control project expenditure, monitor committed costs and forecast costs to completion.
• Identify scope changes promptly, obtain written variation approvals and maintain accurate supporting records.
• Prepare progress claims and supporting documentation, track payment milestones and coordinate with Finance.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure that work meets approved drawings, specifications, quality requirements and applicable health and safety requirements.
• Maintain clear client communication through progress reports, meetings, action registers and timely escalation of decisions or risks.
• Coordinate testing, commissioning, snag resolution, handover documentation and final project close-out.

Skills

Project management

Site execution

Contract management

Budget tracking

Planning

Excel

MS Project

Travel readiness

Education

Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

SewTreat South Africa | Pretoria | Travel across South Africa and Africa

ABOUT SEWTREAT

SewTreat South Africa designs, manufactures, installs and commissions water and wastewater treatment systems for commercial, industrial, mining and municipal clients across Africa.

We are looking for an experienced, hands‑on Project Manager who can take ownership of a portfolio of 5–8 projects running simultaneously, at different stages of delivery, across multiple locations.

This role requires practical construction experience, strong commercial judgement and the ability to turn a programme into completed work on site.

THE ROLE

You will manage projects from initial handover and planning through procurement, manufacturing, construction, installation, commissioning and final client handover.

You must be comfortable coordinating civil works, plumbing and pipework, mechanical installations, electrical works and subcontractors, while keeping clients and internal teams informed and accountable.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage 5–8 concurrent projects across South Africa and other African countries, balancing deadlines, resources, budgets and site requirements.
• Review contracts, quotations, drawings, bills of quantities and project specifications to understand the agreed scope, deliverables and exclusions.
• Develop and maintain practical project programmes, procurement schedules, resource plans and short‑term site work plans.
• Coordinate engineering, draughting, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, site teams and subcontractors to ensure that materials, drawings and resources are available when required.
• Manage site establishment, access arrangements, subcontractor mobilisation and construction activities.
• Oversee civil works, foundations, slabs, tank installations, plumbing, piping, mechanical equipment and electrical installation interfaces.
• Track progress against milestones, identify delays early and implement recovery plans.
• Control project expenditure, monitor committed costs and forecast costs to completion.
• Identify scope changes promptly, obtain written variation approvals and maintain accurate supporting records.
• Prepare progress claims and supporting documentation, track payment milestones and coordinate with Finance.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure that work meets approved drawings, specifications, quality requirements and applicable health and safety requirements.
• Maintain clear client communication through progress reports, meetings, action registers and timely escalation of decisions or risks.
• Coordinate testing, commissioning, snag resolution, handover documentation and final project close‑out.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS — ESSENTIAL

• At least 5 years of hands‑on project management experience in construction or infrastructure delivery, with direct responsibility for site execution.
• Practical experience coordinating civil works, plumbing or pipework, mechanical installations and electrical contractors or installation interfaces.
• A demonstrated record of managing multiple construction projects or sites simultaneously.
• The ability to manage a portfolio of 5–8 active projects at different stages, with clear control of priorities, costs, resources and deadlines.
• Experience managing site supervisors, subcontractors, suppliers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Sound understanding of construction drawings, bills of quantities, project programmes, procurement, progress claims and variation control.
• Strong planning, negotiation, problem‑solving and written reporting skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and project scheduling software, such as Microsoft Project or an equivalent.
• A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel regularly, including overnight stays and travel to project sites elsewhere in Africa.

Candidates whose experience is limited to administrative project coordination, without direct responsibility for construction delivery, will not meet the requirements of this role.

ADVANTAGEOUS

• A degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience delivering water or wastewater treatment plants, process installations, pumping systems, storage tanks or related infrastructure.
• Experience working on mining, industrial or municipal sites.
• Experience with cross‑border project delivery and logistics.
• A recognised project management qualification or professional registration.

An engineering degree is beneficial, but does not replace the minimum requirement for hands‑on construction project management experience.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Your projects have clear programmes, accountable teams and reliable progress reporting. Problems are identified early, variations are controlled, and projects reach commissioning and handover with the required quality and documentation.

SewTreat South Africa

Building Resilient water utilities for Africa.