Location: Pretoria
Division: Water Infrastructure
REPORTS TO
Function Manager or any other person appointed to supervise him/her from time to time.
PRIMARY POSITION PURPOSE
This position is responsible for project acquisition, project management, financial management, and delivery, as well as technical design of all projects within the Pretoria Water Infrastructure Section. This includes managing staff within the group to ensure full utilization and achievement of project milestones.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Market development and proactive approach in developing work or being aware of upcoming projects from clients – generating repeat business.
- Assist FM in developing business strategies for the section in conjunction with the Functional Group’s Business Plan and objectives.
- Develop and maintain existing key client relationships and ensure client satisfaction.
- Submit tenders, EOIs, and proposals for the section and provide input into large infrastructure projects as required, in line with Delegation of Authority (DOA).
- Win and deliver projects for the section in collaboration with Section Managers from other Functions.
- Ensure projects within the section are completed on time and within budget.
- Maintain appropriate technical standards and Quality Assurance Management System requirements on projects.
- Monitor staff utilization levels and ensure staff are fully utilized.
- Ensure projects are adequately resourced in terms of staffing, capabilities, and specialists.
- Establish and maintain internal contacts within SMEC South Africa to source the appropriate skills.
- Develop staff through training, mentoring, providing opportunities, planning career paths, and maintaining professional ethics and standards.
- Ensure documentation, reporting, and communication meet quality standards.
- Manage or participate in multidisciplinary teams to deliver project milestones.
- Maintain professional development and stay updated on advances in the technical field.
- Offer clients innovative technical solutions.
- Oversee project-related construction administration.
- Handle administrative project duties such as budget capturing, invoicing, and progress updates.
- Manage project budgets and be responsible for achieving revenue targets.
- Contribute to the section's financials as per the DOA.
- Cross-sell services of other functional groups when possible.
- Ensure the profitability of the local section and manage overheads and budgets.
- Prepare monthly financial reports.
- Monitor Project Manager performance on local projects.
- Drive quality, management procedures, and innovation within the local function.
- Foster good team relations to facilitate efficient project delivery.
- Develop and maintain key client relationships.
- Meet project budgetary and time constraints while maintaining technical standards and QA.
- Assign tasks, review work, and manage performance of direct reports.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- Development of key client base.
- Timely project delivery and milestones achievement.
- Business development and work acquisition.
- Staff utilization rates.
- Cost-effectiveness and profitability of projects.
- Understanding of contractual and operational arrangements.
- Building cohesive, results-oriented teams.
- Implementation of project management and company procedures.
- Quality of reports and project outputs.
RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor of Engineering degree or higher from an accredited university/college.
- 10-15 years of practical experience in the relevant discipline.
- Experience in design using appropriate software and delivering major projects involving civil design approaches.
- Experience managing infrastructure design projects with teams of civil designers and CAD operators.
- Knowledge of government standards, codes, and documentation.
- Familiarity with web-based project cost control and financial systems.
- Experience in developing business strategies.
- Ability to manage a manageable workload consistently.
We are proud of the brilliant minds we have at SMEC and are committed to ensuring our people have the best opportunities and resources to learn, grow, and succeed. Our hiring decisions are guided by skills, qualifications, and experience, ensuring fair and equitable access to opportunities for all. We are intentional about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, not as a requirement, but as a fundamental part of who we are. We strive to create a workplace where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are embraced, fresh ideas are encouraged, and everyone has the support they need to thrive. At SMEC, every individual has a voice, and through our commitment to engineering positive change, every contribution makes a difference.