Senior Project Manager - Public Works

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel allowance

Health insurance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Senior Project Manager to lead municipal infrastructure projects in the Welkom area, coordinating with government agencies, contractors, and communities. The role emphasizes planning, execution, and delivery within budget and schedule while ensuring high quality and safety standards.

The ideal candidate has a civil-engineering or public-administration background and at least 6 years of public works PM experience, with strong leadership and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years in project management, with focus on public works or municipal infrastructure.
• Experience managing roads, water, sanitation, or public facility projects.
• Strong understanding of public procurement and SA government regulations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Hybrid work model combining on-site oversight with office planning.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full lifecycle of public works projects from initiation to handover.
• Develop detailed plans including scopes, budgets, procurement, and timelines.
• Manage relationships with municipal departments, contractors, consultants, and the public.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, codes, environmental regulations, and safety standards.
• Monitor project performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage project finances including budget tracking, cost control, invoicing and payments.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration

Related discipline

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Senior Project Manager to lead vital public works projects in the Welkom area. This role is pivotal in managing the planning, execution, and delivery of infrastructure development projects that serve the community, including roads, utilities, and public facilities. You will be responsible for coordinating with government agencies, contractors, and community stakeholders to ensure projects meet stringent quality, safety, and regulatory standards while staying within budget and schedule. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership abilities and a comprehensive understanding of public sector project management, contributing significantly to the development and improvement of essential community services in the Free State .

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full lifecycle of public works projects, from initiation and feasibility studies to final handover and closeout.
• Develop detailed project plans, including scopes of work, budgets, procurement strategies, and timelines for municipal infrastructure projects.
• Manage relationships with multiple stakeholders, including municipal departments, contractors, consultants, and the public.
• Ensure strict compliance with all relevant legislation, building codes, environmental regulations, and safety standards for public infrastructure.
• Monitor project performance, identify potential risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure project success.
• Manage project finances, including budget tracking, cost control, and timely invoicing and payments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in project management, with a focus on public works or municipal infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects involving road construction, water and sanitation, or public facility development.
• Strong understanding of public procurement processes and government regulations in South Africa.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing on-site project oversight with office-based planning and administration.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary with potential for performance-based incentives.
• Contribution towards hybrid work expenses and travel allowance.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Access to professional development programs and opportunities for career growth in public sector management.
• The satisfaction of contributing to tangible improvements in community infrastructure.