Strategic Growth Lead: Planning and Advisory

WSP in Africa; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Africa is seeking an accomplished Strategic Growth Lead: Planning and Advisory to join our Planning & Advisory team. This senior role focuses on growing the Planning & Advisory business, developing strategic client relationships, and leading delivery of environmental and social advisory assignments across Africa, especially in mining.

The successful candidate will combine business development with technical leadership, ensure compliance with international lender standards, and mentor

Qualifications

• Honours Degree or higher in Environmental/Social field.
• EAPASA Registration mandatory.
• 20+ years as environmental/social specialist in consulting.
• Proven ESIA/ESDD leadership in Africa.
• Strong BD, client engagement and project leadership.

Responsibilities

• Drive business development for Planning & Advisory in Africa.
• Identify, secure, and lead major projects across Africa.
• Develop strategic client relationships and account management.
• Lead proposals, bids, and client presentations.
• Contribute to Africa-wide business strategy and cross-team collaboration.
• Support delivery with environmental and social advisory expertise.

Skills

Strategic growth

Business development

Project leadership

Technical excellence

IFC Standards

Education

Honours Degree in Environmental/Social field

Postgraduate qualification advantageous

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and professional services consulting firms. In Africa, we are recognized for our technical excellence, innovation, and commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across a diverse range of sectors.

About WSP

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and professional services consulting firms. In Africa, we are recognized for our technical excellence, innovation, and commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across a diverse range of sectors.

Our guiding principles define who we are and how we work:

• We value our people and our reputation.


• We are locally dedicated with international scale.


• We are future-focused and challenge the status quo.


• We foster collaboration in everything we do.


• We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable.


• We are committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment.

The Opportunity

WSP is seeking an accomplished Strategic Growth Lead: Planning and Advisory to join our Planning & Advisory team. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a highly respected environmental and social specialist with a proven ability to secure, lead, and deliver major projects across Africa. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in growing the Planning & Advisory business, developing strategic client relationships, and leading the delivery of complex environmental and social advisory assignments, particularly within the mining sector. This role is ideally suited to a commercially minded professional who combines strong business development capability with deep technical expertise and extensive project leadership experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Business Leadership & Growth

• Drive business development activities for the Planning & Advisory business unit.


• Identify, secure, and lead significant project opportunities across Africa.


• Develop and maintain strategic client and account relationships.


• Lead proposal development, bidding activities, and client presentations.


• Contribute to and drive the annual business strategy for the Africa Planning & Advisory team.


• Support wider business growth initiatives across WSP's Earth & Environment division.

Technical Excellence & Project Delivery

• Lead the technical delivery of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) studies, and related advisory services.


• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across projects.


• Support multidisciplinary project delivery alongside biodiversity, water resources, waste management, mine closure, and related specialist teams.


• Ensure projects meet international lender standards and industry best practice requirements.


• Maintain professional registration and uphold technical excellence standards.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with technical leaders across the Earth & Environment division.


• Mentor, coach, and develop team members.


• Promote collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across teams.


• Contribute to broader WSP policies and strategic initiatives.

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (SHEQ)

• Champion WSP's commitment to Zero Harm.


• Act as a role model for SHEQ performance and behaviours.


• Identify and manage SHEQ risks within projects and operations.


• Promote and maintain a safe, healthy, and sustainable working environment.


• Demonstrate and uphold WSP's values at all times.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential Requirements

• Honours Degree or higher qualification in Environmental, Social, or a related discipline.


• Research-based postgraduate qualification advantageous.


• EAPASA Registration (mandatory).


• Minimum of 20 years' experience as an environmental and/or social specialist within consulting.


• Extensive experience leading and delivering local and international (Africa) ESIA and/or ESDD assignments.


• Demonstrated success in business development, client engagement, and project leadership.


• Experience working across Sub-Saharan Africa, with willingness and ability to travel.

Industry Experience

• Mining


• Conventional Power Generation


• Renewable Energy


• Power Transmission


• Road Infrastructure


• Rail Infrastructure


• Oil & Gas


• Industrial Manufacturing

Key Competencies

• Strategic business development and market growth expertise.


• Strong project leadership and technical excellence.


• Deep understanding and application of IFC Performance Standards and lender requirements.


• Excellent report writing and communication skills in English.


• Advanced project and programme management capabilities.


• Strong commercial and financial acumen.


• Ability to build trusted client relationships at executive level.


• Broad knowledge of environmental and social disciplines, including biodiversity, water resources, waste management, mine closure, and sustainability.


• Effective mentorship, leadership, and team development skills.

Key Requirement for Success

• We are specifically seeking a candidate who can demonstrate:


• A strong track record in business development and project leadership.


• Significant project experience in the mining sector.


• The ability to secure, lead, and successfully deliver complex projects across Africa.


• A passion for growing teams, developing client relationships, and shaping the future of environmental and social advisory services.

Why Join WSP?

At WSP, you will be part of a global team of experts working on some of Africa's most significant infrastructure, energy, mining, and development projects. You will have the opportunity to influence strategy, drive growth, mentor future leaders, and contribute to sustainable solutions that make a lasting impact. Imagine a better future for us all and a better future for you.