Strategic Projects Program Manager

Cape Town, South Africa Posted on 11/03/2026

Ontec has a diverse team made up of innovative and competent individuals. The company not only drives performance for employees to excel on a professional and personal level but rewards this performance. People here are satisfied, challenged and happy, which makes it a perfect working environment.

The Strategic Projects will serve as the driving force behind the company's large-scale, long-term projects. This individual will own the full project lifecycle - from strategic scoping and stakeholder alignment through to delivery and performance review - ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. This is a senior leadership role with direct influence on the company's revenue growth and strategic positioning in the water and electricity sector.

• Lead and manage multiple large-scale, high-revenue water and electricity infrastructure projects from inception to completion
• Define project scope, goals, deliverables, and success metrics in alignment with organisational strategy
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, risk registers, and resource plans
• Monitor project performance against KPIs and take corrective action as required

• Identify and develop opportunities for new strategic projects aligned to the company's growth objectives
• Support business development efforts including tendering, proposal writing, and client presentations
• Contribute to long-range planning and the prioritisation of the project pipeline

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, government bodies, utility providers, and subcontractors
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key project stakeholders
• Manage expectations, resolve disputes, and ensure high levels of client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary project teams across engineering, procurement, and operations
• Oversee subcontractor and vendor performance, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Ensure all projects comply with relevant South African legislation, industry standards, and environmental regulations
• Prepare and present comprehensive project status reports, financial forecasts, and risk assessments to senior leadership
• Maintain accurate project documentation in line with quality management systems

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Civil, Electrical, or related discipline)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Additional qualifications in Business Administration, Construction Management, or Project Management advantageous

• Minimum 10+ years of project management experience, with at least 5 years in senior/lead capacity
• Proven trackrecord managing high-value infrastructure projects in the water and/or electricity engineering sector
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-year, multi-stakeholder projects
• Experience in the South African public sector and municipal client environment highly advantageous

• Strong strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Exceptional leadership and people management capabilities
• Advanced proficiency in project management tools (MS Project, Primavera, or similar)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments with confidence and diplomacy
• High level of financial literacy - budget management, forecasting, and cost control
• Strong problem-solving ability and resilience under pressure
• Commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability

• Detailed CV and include a motivation profile highlighting your skills, highest achievement and a short message telling us why we should consider you for this job.
• Driver's license and own vehicle.
• Supporting documents and certified proof of qualifications.