Strategic Project Lead

Automotive Industry Transformation Fund; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent automotive organization in South Africa is looking for a Strategic Project Lead to drive key projects within the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund’s mandate. This role includes stakeholder engagement, strategic project management, and policy influence for the South African Automotive Masterplan. Candidates should have significant experience in leading strategic initiatives and strong communication skills. The position offers a market-related salary and contributes to the automotive sector's growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategic projects or transformation initiatives.
• Experience in cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing and supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Drive policy thought leadership through white papers.
• Integrate SAAM execution into strategic agenda.
• Develop and oversee high-impact projects.

Skills

Leading strategic projects

Stakeholder management

Research and analysis

Excellent English writing

Critical thinking

Education

Honours degree or postgraduate diploma in relevant field

Postgraduate qualification (MBA or related)

Job description

Introduction

We are currently seeking a well‑groomed Strategic Project Lead to join our dynamic team on a 5‑year Fixed Term Contract. Purpose of the Job: To support the Chief Programme Officer to strategically lead the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund’s (AITF) mandate as the execution custodian including secretariat function of the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) through the SAAM Delivery Office (SDO).

This role is accountable for driving holistic delivery across 2‑3 SAAM strategic pillars, which include localisation, market optimisation, regional integration, skills development, infrastructure enablement, NEV readiness, transformation, research & development, and rigorous monitoring & evaluation. The Strategic Project Lead ensures the operationalisation of the Executive Oversight Committee (EOC) mandate and Technical Task Teams (TTT) through structured programme management, performance tracking, transparent reporting, policy influence, and facilitation of industry‑wide projects and partnerships that collectively secure the sector’s global competitiveness, inclusive growth, and long‑term sustainability. This role will primarily focus on Local Market Optimisation and Regional Market Development pillars of SAAM, which may change from time to time.

Duties & Responsibilities

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Integrate SAAM execution into AITF’s strategic agenda, aligning delivery across all programme pillars.
• Drive policy thought leadership by preparing white papers and sector position papers to influence the automotive policy environment and future‑proof industry objectives.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT & ECOSYSTEM INFLUENCE

• Engage directly with Government (National & Provincial), OEMs, NAAMSA, NAACAM, ITAC, RMI, Labor, and other bodies to secure alignment and resolve delivery bottlenecks.
• Oversee demand aggregation initiatives and facilitate cross‑sector projects to build local scale and unlock localisation opportunities and other strategic projects enhancing SA sector competitiveness.
• Serve as a key voice on industry forums to shape national automotive competitiveness and regional trade integration.

PROGRAMME & OPERATIONAL DELIVERY

• Develop and oversee a multi‑year portfolio of high‑impact projects across localisation transformation, NEV, aftermarket, skills, and infrastructure pillars.
• Lead development of business cases in collaboration with the Chief Investment to attract sector investments and foreign development investments in high‑impact projects.
• Establish and manage a comprehensive SAAM KPI Dashboard integrating APDP, DTIC, SARS, NAAMSA, and NAACAM data and other key stakeholders.
• Drive execution of flagship programmes, ensuring delivery is on time, within scope and aligned to Masterplan milestones.
• Collaborate with AITF investment Unit on pipeline development, incubation support, and capital enablement.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP

• Champion industry‑aligned R&D initiative that supports localisation of advanced automotive technologies, materials beneficiation, NEV ecosystem components, and smart manufacturing.
• This includes aftermarket component manufacturing and policy‑inclined policy positioning.

MONITORING, EVALUATION & REPORTING

• Develop and operationalise a comprehensive M&E framework to assess progress across all SAAM pillars, ensuring data‑driven course corrections.
• Produce structured reports to the EOC & TTT, EXCO, DTIC, funders, and industry stakeholders, enhancing transparency and strategic decision‑making.

GOVERNANCE, RISK & COMPLIANCE

• Lead governance interface with the EOC & TTT, ensuring rigorous project reporting, programme reviews, and structured risk management.
• Ensure compliance with APDP, EEIP, B‑BBEE and other sector regulatory frameworks, embedding transparency in all delivery pipelines.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Education / Qualifications

• Honours degree or postgraduate diploma in Finance, Business Administration, Project Management, Public Administration, or a related field.

Advantageous Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification (MBA, Master’s in strategic management or a related field) – Advantageous.
• Further studies or certification in project management or supply chain management.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in leading or working on strategic projects, programmes, or transformation initiatives in large and complex organisations.
• Experience in leading or working in cross‑functional teams and managing stakeholders.
• Automotive manufacturing, supply chain or localisation, relationship building at senior levels.
• Systems and critical‑thinking approach in solving problems/decision making.
• Excellent research and analysis.
• Advanced / excellent English writing, reporting and presentation skills.

Package & Remuneration

Market Related

Interested?

We encourage you to apply if you meet the qualifications and are eager to contribute to the transformation of South Africa’s automotive sector.