Senior Project Manager (Renewable Energy)

SET Recruitment Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

SET Recruitment Consultants is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager in South Africa to lead large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects from construction to handover. The role requires stewardship of multi-disciplinary teams, robust governance, and strong commercial oversight.

You will liaise with stakeholders, manage contracts, and drive on-time, on-budget project delivery. The successful candidate will bring 10+ years of experience in major construction projects within

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or related field.
• Tertiary qualification in Project Management.
• Minimum 10 years on large-scale construction projects.
• At least 5 years in PM/leadership on large projects.
• Experience with renewable energy or power generation.
• Extensive contract management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.
• Oversee construction through commissioning and handover to Asset Management.
• Develop and implement project management plans and controls.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Construction, HSE, Quality and Commercial.
• Monitor KPIs, costs, risks and contractor performance.
• Provide regular reporting to senior management and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Project mgmt

Stakeholder mgmt

Contract mgmt

Renewable energy

EPC contracts

HSE/QA

Risk mgmt

Education

Engineering degree

PM qualification

Tools

FIDIC

NEC

PM software

Job description

Senior Project Manager

Johannesburg or Cape Town

Industry: Renewable Energy / Energy Storage
Employment Type: Permanent

Our client, a leading international renewable energy group with a strong presence across Africa, is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects in South Africa.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Project Manager with a strong track record across large-scale construction and renewable energy projects, ideally gained from an IPP/developer environment.

The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for project execution from the construction phase through to commissioning and handover to Asset Management, while also providing input during the development and structuring phases.

The opportunity

You will lead complex projects involving multiple technologies, contracts, stakeholders and interfaces, ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

The role will provide exposure to some of South Africa's most significant renewable energy and battery energy storage developments and will suit a commercially astute Project Manager who is equally comfortable managing technical, contractual, financial and stakeholder requirements.

Key responsibilities

Project leadership & execution

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.

• Lead projects from construction through commissioning and final handover to Asset Management.

• Develop and implement robust Project Management Plans, processes and project controls.

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, including Engineering, Construction, HSE, Quality, Planning and Commercial/Contracts functions.

• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget and to the required quality standards.

• Monitor project KPIs, milestones, costs, risks and contractor performance.

• Provide accurate and regular project reporting to senior management and key stakeholders.

• Proactively identify project risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.

Project structuring & development

• Support the structuring and preparation of projects prior to financial close.

• Establish effective project management structures, resources, procedures and reporting systems.

• Develop project charters and execution strategies in collaboration with project leadership.

• Support the development team with supplier and contractor negotiations where required.

• Contribute to the optimisation of project budgets and commercial structures.

• Ensure projects are fully prepared for the execution phase.

Contracts & commercial management

• Oversee the management and administration of EPC, supplier and service-provider contracts.

• Monitor contractual obligations and identify potential breaches, claims and risks.

• Manage contract variations, change notices, claims and milestone payments.

• Lead commercial and contractual negotiations relating to contractor claims.

• Ensure compliance with key project agreements, including PPAs, Implementation Agreements, Connection Agreements and EPC contracts.

• Maintain oversight of contractual risks and ensure these are progressively managed and closed out.

• Ensure contractors and subcontractors comply with contractual requirements and project procedures.

Stakeholder & interface management

• Manage complex interfaces between project stakeholders, contractors, utilities, authorities and internal teams.

• Maintain strong relationships with project partners, contractors and key stakeholders.

• Ensure effective coordination between engineering, construction, commercial, HSE, quality and other project functions.

• Engage with stakeholders to resolve contractual, technical and project delivery challenges.

HSE, quality & continuous improvement

• Champion a strong Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality culture across project activities.

• Ensure appropriate risk assessments and mitigation measures are implemented.

• Promote compliance with project procedures and applicable legislation.

• Capture and communicate lessons learned and best practices.

• Participate in peer reviews and contribute to continuous improvement across the project portfolio.

• Mentor and support junior Project Managers.

Minimum requirements

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.

• Tertiary qualification in Project Management.

• Minimum 10 years' experience working on large-scale construction projects.

• At least 5 years' experience in a project management/leadership capacity on large-scale construction projects.

• Proven experience managing complex, multidisciplinary projects with multiple interfaces.

• Strong experience within the renewable energy and/or power generation sector.

• Extensive experience in contract management within energy or construction projects.

• Strong knowledge of FIDIC and NEC contracts.

• Proven experience managing EPC contractors and major project contracts.

• Strong understanding of project controls, cost management, scheduling, risk and project reporting.

Highly advantageous experience

The following experience will be particularly valuable:

• Approximately 6 years' experience on solar construction projects within an IPP/developer environment.

• Approximately 4 years' experience in onshore wind construction within an IPP/developer environment.

• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) construction experience, particularly from an IPP/client-side perspective.

• Experience with high-voltage networks and substations in South Africa.

• Experience working across complex renewable energy projects involving multiple technologies and contractual interfaces.

• Experience working within international or multinational project environments.

Professional registrations & certifications

Advantageous:

• PMP certification.

• SACPCMP registration.

• Pr.Eng / CEng or equivalent professional registration.

• Formal FIDIC and NEC contract training.

Key competencies

We are looking for a senior Project Manager who demonstrates:

• Strong leadership and team-building capability.

• Excellent commercial and contractual understanding.

• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.

• High levels of integrity, accountability and professional judgement.

• Strong organisational and project management skills.

• A proactive, entrepreneurial and results-driven approach.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• The ability to anticipate issues and resolve challenges proactively.

• The ability to operate effectively within matrix, functional and project-based organisations.

• A willingness to mentor and develop less experienced Project Managers.

Additional requirements

• Willingness to travel regularly to construction sites across South Africa.

• Potential travel across Sub-Saharan Africa in the future.

• Valid driver's licence required.

• 4x4 driving competency would be advantageous.

• Excellent written and spoken English.

Disclaimer: If we do not contact you within two weeks of your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.