General Manager: Project Management (Mega Capital Projects)

Our client, a leading organisation in the heavy industrial and energy sector, is undertaking a significant transformation of its capital project delivery capability. As part of this turnaround, a critical leadership role has been created for a seasoned project management executive to lead a multi-billion Rand portfolio of complex, coal-fired / thermal power generation capital projects.

This is a flagship appointment – the first of several external hires into the restructured project leadership team. The successful candidate will report directly to the Group Executive and lead a workforce of approximately 150–250 direct and indirect reports, managing a portfolio valued at multi?billions of Rands annually. The role will be based in Gauteng or Mpumalanga, with travel to project sites as required.

We are seeking a pragmatic leader who thrives in challenging environments, can turn around underperforming projects, and drive a culture of disciplined, strategic delivery.

**Requirements:**

• Relevant NQF7/8 qualification in Engineering or Built Environment
• Minimum 10 years experience in construction management, engineering, or project management
• Proven track record managing multi?billion Rand capital projects in coal?fired/ thermal power generation or equivalent heavy industrial environments (e.g., mining, oil and gas, large?scale infrastructure, smelters, refineries, process plants)
• Demonstrated experience leading large teams (100+ people) in complex project environments
• Strong contract and commercial management experience, ideally with NEC and/or FIDIC contract forms
• Experience working within an owner's engineer or EPC/EPCM contracting will be preferred
• Turnaround or distressed project recovery experience is highly desirable

**Preferred (Advantageous):**

• Registration with recognised professional bodies such as:

- ECSA (Pr Eng / Pr Tech Eng)

- SACPCMP (PrCPM / PrCM)

- PMI (PMP / PgMP)

- APM (ChPP)

- RICS (MRICS / FRICS)

• Postgraduate business qualification (e.g., MBA, MBL, MCom in Leadership)
• Senior management / executive education (e.g., AMP, PLD, or equivalent)
• Governance certification (e.g., IoDSA Certificate in Corporate Direction or equivalent)

**Key Responsibilities**

• Direct the delivery of construction management programmes, ensuring safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives are met
• Lead financial performance and optimisation of capital investment, with accountability for multi-billion Rand budgets
• Position projects for strategic interfacing, negotiation, change management, and stakeholder engagement at board and governmental level
• Direct project risk management strategies to minimise overall impact on the capital investment programme
• Lead, motivate, and develop a large, diverse project team, building a high-performance culture
• Drive the transition from reactive firefighting to proactive, strategic project governance

Desired Skills

• Change Management
• Commercial Acumen
• Contracts
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Team Leadership