Job Title:
Project Lead - Civil
Job Purpose:
Our client is seeking a project leader to manage the full lifecycle of engineering engagements, ensuring high-quality delivery that is on time, within budget, and aligned with client expectations. The role also provides day-to-day leadership support, bridging technical execution with strategic direction while helping the Director build team capability and foster a strong, collaborative culture.
Responsibilities:
- Manage project execution from handover to closeout, ensuring scope, schedule and quality objectives are met.
- Coordinate internal and external stakeholders across all project phases to ensure alignment and effective communication.
- Develop and maintain project execution plans, schedules (baseline and updates) and resource loading charts, reporting progress to Directors regularly.
- Manage project budgets, cost-to-complete forecasts and invoicing milestones, and approve timesheets and expenses for the project team where applicable.
- Produce and/or facilitate design reviews, ensuring technical input is integrated across disciplines and complies with relevant codes and regulations.
- Act as technical lead/design authority, providing sign-off on engineering deliverables where required.
- Conduct regular site inspections and technical site visits, and produce site reports as required.
- Escalate risks and decisions in line with the RACI framework.
- Assist in preparing tender documents, bills of quantities, project specifications, reports and meeting minutes.
- Ensure proper documentation management and version control, and quality-assure compliance across all projects.
- Ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Implement Quality Assurance (QA) in line with ISO project management protocols.
- Maintain a structured file hierarchy and documentation flow for efficient access and traceability.
- Support ISO practices and safe engineering standards, reinforcing compliance and operational excellence.
- Review and approve technical drawings, specifications and calculation packs for compliance with South African codes and industry standards.
- Maintain and evidence peer-review logs, QA checklists, and non-conformance and corrective action records.
- Ensure an H&S file and environmental risk assessments are in place for each project.
- Ensure deliverables satisfy contractual and statutory requirements.
- Maintain proactive communication with clients and Directors, ensuring alignment and transparency throughout the project.
- Lead client technical meetings, design reviews and formal project milestones.
- Prepare and present regular client reports and feedback, keeping stakeholders informed of progress, risks and outcomes.
- Allocate and approve technical workloads, ensuring balanced distribution and efficient delivery.
- Mentor and develop junior staff, contributing to team capability and succession planning.
- Support staff development initiatives in line with the organisation’s development strategy and policy, including on-the-job coaching, technical training sessions and one-on-one development reviews.
- Manage workforce planning, allocation and leave to ensure optimal resourcing and policy compliance.
- Define and update job profiles, and participate in recruitment by conducting competency-based and technical interviews and providing input into appointment decisions.
- Oversee performance management processes, including probation reviews and formal performance appraisals.
- Identify training needs, succession candidates and development opportunities to build future capability.
- Support employee relations by fostering a fair, consistent and constructive work environment.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s or B-Tech in Engineering (Civil)
- Registered Professional Engineer or Technologist (Pr Eng / Pr Tech Eng) with ECSA.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Valid Driver’s license.
- Minimum 6 years of consulting engineering project delivery experience.
- Experience in technical coordination and stakeholder management.
- Strong communication and planning skills.
- Familiarity with engineering design tools and project admin systems.