Water Infrastructure Lead

Arup; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A multidisciplinary engineering firm in South Africa is seeking a Water Infrastructure Lead to guide innovative projects in water management. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in water treatment solutions, client relations, and team leadership. Join to make a meaningful impact on communities while enjoying a supportive professional environment with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Medical aid

Hospital gap cover

Provident fund

Life insurance

Income protection

Qualifications

• Proven experience in pipelines, pump stations, and water/wastewater treatment.
• Professional registration with ECSA is required.
• Established connections in the water supply and resource management sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor teams in water infrastructure projects.
• Build and maintain client relationships with various stakeholders.
• Ensure high-quality project outcomes that meet client expectations.

Skills

Business development in the water sector

Client relationship management

Project leadership

Technical expertise in water projects

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical)

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup is an independent multidisciplinary firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s built environment. We help our clients solve complex challenges by turning ideas into reality, striving to find better ways to shape a better world.

Watch this short clip to discover how Arup is shaping a better world and how you could be part of it!

The Opportunity

Our South Africa team is seeking a strategic, experienced Water Infrastructure Lead to join our dynamic team working on innovative water infrastructure projects in Africa and globally. This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a team in a high-priority growth area for Arup, with strong support from global and regional leadership.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience in technical areas such as pipelines, pump stations, water treatment, and wastewater treatment, with a proven track record of developing long-term client relationships, securing impactful work, and delivering projects successfully.

• Build and maintain client relationships with water utilities, public agencies, and private entities. Identify and pursue high-impact opportunities aligned with Arup’s strategy.
• Lead proposals and major pursuits, ensuring alignment with team capabilities and vision.
• Coordinate with discipline leads, project managers, and business leaders to shape integrated delivery teams. Lead, manage, and mentor teams.
• Lead projects to ensure high-quality outcomes that meet client and Arup expectations, and identify strategic hires to develop internal talent.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective where individuality thrives. We respect, share, and connect diverse experiences and ideas.

This role offers the chance to do socially meaningful work that benefits Arup, your career, our members, and the communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

• A relevant tertiary qualification (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, etc.) and professional registration with ECSA.
• Extensive experience in delivering water projects such as pipelines, pump stations, water/wastewater treatment plants, and water reuse. Proven business development skills in the water sector.
• Established market connections with clients and partners, with the ability to secure work related to water supply, resource management, or wastewater.
• A track record of business leadership in the water sector, with the ability to lead, motivate, and manage teams.

What we offer you

At Arup, we prioritize each member’s success to grow together. We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom and responsibility to set our direction and choose meaningful work.

Our profit share allows members to share in our collective success. We offer an environment that encourages design with purpose, skills development, and knowledge sharing. You can use your technical expertise to positively impact communities through Arup’s engagement programs.

You will have access to learning opportunities via Arup University and other programs.

Beyond a competitive salary, benefits include medical aid, hospital gap cover, provident fund, life insurance, and income protection in case of disability. These core benefits are part of your guaranteed annual package.