Project Manager - Utilities & Infrastructure Development

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Paid annual leave and sick leave

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Project Manager to lead civil infrastructure projects in Soweto, Gauteng. You will oversee water, energy, and sanitation initiatives from planning through to commissioning, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time delivery.

The ideal candidate holds a Civil Engineering degree, may have Pr Eng or PMP, and brings 6+ years of utilities project management experience with budgets up to R20 million. Travel within Gauteng is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Project Management Professional (PMP) is advantageous.
• A minimum of 6 years of project management experience in utilities infrastructure (water, sanitation, energy).
• Experience managing projects with budgets up to R20 million.
• Strong understanding of civil engineering principles, construction methodologies, and infrastructure development.
• Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Project and AutoCAD.
• Ability to work with diverse community stakeholders and travel within Soweto and Gauteng.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage lifecycle of utilities and infrastructure projects from planning to commissioning.
• Develop detailed project plans with scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and resources.
• Oversee project budgets and ensure cost-effective execution and controls.
• Lead engineers, contractors, and municipal liaison officers.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks with mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with OHSA and environmental legislation.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders, external contractors, and suppliers.
• Manage procurement for materials, equipment, and services.
• Monitor progress against milestones and KPIs and report to senior management.
• Drive project efficiency and timely delivery of high-quality infrastructure.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

MS Project

AutoCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the utilities sector, is seeking a dedicated Project Manager to oversee the development and upgrade of essential infrastructure projects in the Soweto, Gauteng region. This role is vital for ensuring the reliable provision of services through the management of projects related to water, energy, and sanitation infrastructure. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in civil engineering or infrastructure management, coupled with proven project management expertise. You will be responsible for leading projects from planning through to execution, ensuring compliance with standards and timely delivery of critical public services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the complete lifecycle of utilities and infrastructure projects, including planning, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Develop detailed project plans, defining scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Oversee project budgets, ensuring cost-effective execution and adherence to financial controls.
• Lead and coordinate project teams, including engineers, contractors, and municipal liaison officers.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks, implementing robust mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
• Ensure all projects comply with relevant engineering standards, safety regulations (e.g., OHSA), and environmental legislation.
• Liaise effectively with internal stakeholders, external contractors, suppliers, and community representatives.
• Manage the procurement process for materials, equipment, and services required for infrastructure development.
• Monitor project progress against milestones and KPIs, providing regular and accurate reports to senior management and stakeholders.
• Drive project efficiency and ensure the timely delivery of high-quality utilities infrastructure that serves the community.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Project Management Professional (PMP) is highly advantageous.
• A minimum of 6 years of project management experience, with a significant focus on utilities infrastructure (water, sanitation, energy) projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects with budgets up to R20 million.
• Strong understanding of civil engineering principles, construction methodologies, and infrastructure development processes.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering infrastructure projects on time and within budget.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, AutoCAD) and familiarity with relevant engineering software.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse community stakeholders and manage project impacts.
• Willingness to travel within the Soweto and wider Gauteng areas as required for project oversight.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including a performance-based bonus, comprehensive medical aid, and a retirement fund.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and further specialization in infrastructure management are supported.
• This role includes generous paid annual leave and sick leave, as well as access to employee assistance programs.
• Contribute to vital community development and build your career in essential services in Soweto, Gauteng .