Senior Socio-Economic Development Lead Mining&Communities

Smart4 Energy; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart4 Energy in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a senior professional to lead socio-economic development across a major industrial site. The role focuses on social investment, community partnerships and a robust social licence to operate in a mining/metals context.

You will shape strategy, engage government and communities, and drive delivery from planning through to impact evaluation, ensuring sustainable development aligned with municipal IDPs and regional stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a senior socio-economic development role.
• Experience in mining/resources/heavy industrial environments is advantageous.
• Proven ability to deliver community development projects from studies to execution.
• Strong knowledge of local and provincial government structures.
• Understanding of South African transformation legislation and policy.
• Experience building partnerships with government, communities and regional stakeholders.
• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement for community projects.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and public-speaking capability.
• Strong written and spoken English; Zulu capability is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the socio-economic development strategy for the operation.
• Lead community development projects from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Ensure programs are delivered within budgets, timelines and governance.
• Build relationships with local/provincial government, municipalities and communities.
• Develop local and regional partnerships for sustainable development.
• Monitor community, stakeholder and political developments and mitigate risks.
• Support sustainability initiatives related to social licence to operate.
• Measure and evaluate the impact of community investment programmes.
• Represent the organisation professionally at community engagements and forums.

Skills

S-E Development

Mining industry experience

Community development projects

Government relations

Transformation legislation knowledge

Partnership building

Monitoring & impact measurement

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

English proficiency

Zulu language (advantage)

Education

Degree / BTech / ND in related field

Business or Project Management qualification

Job description

Smart4 Energy in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a senior professional to lead socio-economic development across a major industrial site. The role focuses on social investment, community partnerships and a robust social licence to operate in a mining/metals context.

You will shape strategy, engage government and communities, and drive delivery from planning through to impact evaluation, ensuring sustainable development aligned with municipal IDPs and regional stakeholders.