SENIOR MANAGER: INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGIC PROJECTS (DoA) (FIVE (5) YEARS FIXED TERM CONTRACT)

The Agricultural Research Council; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in South Africa is seeking a Senior Manager for Infrastructure Strategic Projects. The role involves overseeing large-scale infrastructure developments, managing project teams, and ensuring compliance with governance and quality standards. Additional responsibilities include developing construction schedules, coordinating funding proposals, and managing Opex and Capex budgets. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in infrastructure management and a commitment to promoting research excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee large-scale infrastructure development projects across ARC campuses.
• Manage planning, design, costing, procurement, construction, and commissioning of strategic infrastructure initiatives.
• Ensure project governance, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and oversee construction schedules, risk registers, technical specifications, and contractor performance.
• Coordinate infrastructure development linked to DoA-funded strategic programmes.
• Lead feasibility studies, business cases, and funding proposals for new capital projects.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and external professional service providers.
• Drive strategic campus development, including consolidation of Pretoria-based research facilities.
• Ensure delivery of infrastructure that enables research excellence and organisational sustainability.
• Prepare progress reports, technical documentation, and project financial analyses.
• Develop and manage Opex and Capex budgets.
• Oversee staff performance management and service delivery standards.
• Prepare technical, operational, and financial reports.

Job description

SENIOR MANAGER: INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGIC PROJECTS (DoA) (FIVE (5) YEARS FIXED TERM CONTRACT) The Agricultural Research Council•Central Office Hatfield, ZA

• Lead and oversee large-scale infrastructure development projects across ARC campuses.
• Manage planning, design, costing, procurement, construction, and commissioning of strategic infrastructure initiatives.
• Ensure project governance, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and oversee construction schedules, risk registers, technical specifications, and contractor performance.
• Coordinate infrastructure development linked to DoA-funded strategic programmes (e.g., Climate Smart Centre of Excellence).
• Lead feasibility studies, business cases, and funding proposals for new capital projects.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and external professional service providers.
• Drive strategic campus development, including consolidation of Pretoria-based research facilities.
• Ensure delivery of infrastructure that enables research excellence and organisational sustainability. Prepare progress reports, technical documentation, and project financial analyses.
• Develop and manage Opex and Capex budgets.
• Oversee staff performance management and service delivery standards.
• Prepare technical, operational, and financial reports.