Project Manager

Job basis: Full time

Level: Senior Management; Location: Nelson Mandela Metro

Job description: GM – Projects or Project Manager

We are looking to appoint an experienced and high-performing individual to join our team as the Project Manager to oversee implementation and staff management.

The role of the Project Manager, working in a small tight-knit team, is to fulfil the organisation's vision and mission by managing and coordinating all activities with all entities involved. The Projects Manager is responsible for overseeing and supporting the programme-related interventions to maximise impact, with a strong component of stakeholder engagement, leadership, and effective management. Duties include:

• Be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the project, staff, and programme growth.
• Carry out policies and operate within the guidelines set.
• Make recommendations to management to ensure that the project makes effective and efficient use of resources.
• You would be reporting to the Executive Director.

This role requires a collaborative working approach, while still being focused on quality, impact, and scale. The applicant should possess a strong ability in business and marketing, as well as have a keen interest in leadership and mentoring of youth and staff. The successful applicant should be comfortable working with uncertainty and frequent change.

The programme aims to educate young people by tackling the skills shortage in the Engineering and Built Environment and related sectors while simultaneously addressing youth unemployment. We have partnered with various stakeholders to achieve this by using an innovative and collaborative approach. Key high-level responsibilities include:

OPERATIONS:

• Ensure effective implementation of decisions of the Director and Board.
• Ensure the immediate and broader business environment is constantly assessed to identify micro and macro issues impacting the organisation and inform the Director thereof.
• Manage the provision of administrative support to the Board and Exco Committees.
• Act as a professional advisor to the Director on all aspects of the organisation's activities and delegate as appropriate to relevant staff.
• Plan, direct, control, and monitor operational activities of the organisation to ensure effective performance against approved strategic objectives.
• Oversee programme management and guidance and special projects.
• Manage and work closely with staff to ensure smooth rollout of all operations, planning, documentation, and event coordination.
• Updating Director about any deviations, dangers, and risks to the organisation.
• Daily reporting on responsibilities to Director.
• Partnership development and relationship management.
• Management of key strategic projects.
• Guide and support student management and retention.
• Ensure the alignment of the organisation's strategy planning and development to the Budget / Expenditure Framework and other relevant legislative requirements, government programmes, and plans.
• Monitor and review strategic plans consistently and take corrective measures to keep plans on track in light of new challenges.
• Oversee and ensure the effective communication of the organisation's vision, mission, and strategies to staff members.
• Manage staff in relation to KPIs.
• Drive excellent results and deliver core business strategy and objectives aligned to the organisation's business plan and approved budgets.
• Board report writing and management.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:

• Grow stakeholders strategically in line with the objectives of the organisation.
• Build and maintain relations with stakeholders through regular feedback and scope opportunities for involvement.
• Coordinate stakeholders and donor-related activities, including donor liaison, in close cooperation with the Director.
• Develop and initiate strategies to ensure donor retention.
• Draft and manage the submission of funding proposals where necessary.
• Provide advice on different donor reporting and governance requirements.
• Provide support for meetings with donors, such as documentation, notes, follow-ups.
• Meet new business targets.
• Manage legal, financial, and reporting aspects of donor contract management.
• Manage the preparation and timely submission of progress and project reports to donors.

NEW VENTURES:

• Work closely with the Director around creation of ideas, budgets, funding, support, and implementation of new projects.
• Ensure the smooth operational implementation of new projects, programmes, and activities.
• New business development: Present and sign up strategic partnerships to the programme.

GENERAL LEADERSHIP:

• To be known, visible, and professional when active in your work at all times, e.g., dress code, friendly and helpful, etc.
• To uphold the standards, policies, and procedures of the organisation.
• Maintain the vision of the Company and lead the programme coordinators and staff to implement the vision in an agile, yet sustainable and economically prudent fashion.
• Ensure alignment of strategy amongst employees, students, and stakeholders.
• Encourage and maintain open and efficient lines of communication with all staff and relevant stakeholders, both verbal and written.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Service-oriented.
• Interpersonal sensitivity highly advantageous.
• Great team player.

WHO ARE YOU?

• People smart – You are a lover of people, patient and can work well with a variety of people from different backgrounds and personality types.
• A Pragmatist – While you are excited by big ideas, you focus on the practical follow-through.
• A Solution-Focused Problem Solver – You rarely fixate on problems and instead are driven by solutions.
• A Lover of Data and Actionable Metrics – You pride yourself in ensuring daily operations run optimally.
• Hardworking and professional, leading by example.
• Resilient – You have ‘bounce back’ and are tenacious in follow-through.
• Flexible – You have resourcefulness to adapt to unforeseen situations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven track record of at least 5 years in a project management role including managing a team.
• A minimum of 5 years in youth development experience.
• A minimum of 5 years experience gained at a senior leadership level in the education or NPO sector.
• Results-oriented, strategic thinker and planner.
• Valid driver’s license with own reliable transport.
• Proven track record in working effectively with a diverse range of donors.
• Proven relevant experience managing people, mentoring, and coaching team members.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple activities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact in a professional manner.
• Extensive experience in high-level communications.
• High degree of computer and financial literacy, advanced Excel.
• Strong presentation skills.