Strategic Programme Manager -Social Economic Impact Organisation

Helen Wilson Recruitment; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,080,000 - 1,320,000; Full time

Job summary

Helen Wilson Recruitment is seeking a Programme Manager to drive strategic initiatives in Sandton. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience managing large-scale programs, particularly in youth development, education, and economic inclusion. Responsibilities include developing program strategies, managing budgets, and leading cross-functional teams.

Professionals with a strong governance background and experience in stakeholder management are encouraged to apply. The role comes with a 2-year contract and a salary of R1.2 Million per annum.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years' experience managing large-scale programmes or projects.
• Demonstrated success in programme planning and delivery.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders at executive level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement program strategies aligning with organizational goals.
• Plan and design programs, including defining governance arrangements.
• Lead and manage cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Budget management

Cross-functional team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related discipline

Tools

PMP or PRINCE2 certification

Agile or Scrum methodologies

Job description

Salary: R1.2 Million per annum

Contract Type: 2 Year contract, on-site (Sandton)

Role Purpose

The Programme Manager plays a pivotal role in driving enterprise-wide strategic initiatives by: 1. aligning programmes with organizational priorities, 2. leading high-performing cross‑functional teams, 3. and building trusted relationships with key stakeholders. Through strong governance, proactive stakeholder management, disciplined programme delivery, and a focus on measurable outcomes, the Programme Manager enables the organization to achieve sustainable business growth, operational excellence, and long‑term strategic success.

Qualifications & Experience

• Completed bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Engineering, Information Systems, Public Administration, or a related discipline
• Minimum of 7 years' experience managing large‑scale programmes or complex projects focused on, youth development/employment, education, economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, or other large‑scale social impact initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in programme planning, delivery, budget management, and benefits realization.
• Strong governance, risk and financial management experience.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders (Exec Level) across diverse business functions and external organizations including corporate partners, government, NGOs or donor‑funded initiatives.
  • Proven experience leading cross‑functional and enterprise‑wide initiatives.
  • Experience working within matrix organizations and global environments is advantageous.
  • Professional certification such as PMP, PgMP, PRINCE2, MSP, Agile, or Scrum Master is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement program strategies that align with organizational goals and objectives.
• Plan and design programs, including defining governance arrangements, ensuring effective quality assurance, and managing program budgets.
• Lead and manage cross‑functional teams, including project managers, to achieve program objectives.
• Identify and mitigate risks, issues, and dependencies that could impact the program.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including communication, expectation management, and conflict resolution.
• Monitor and control program progress, including tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying and addressing deviations from plan, and taking corrective action as needed.
• Ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.