Regional Manager - North Africa & East Africa K Regions at SMEC

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Regional Manager – North Africa & East Africa K Regions  to join a leading infrastructure consultancy and contribute to the growth and development of a business with a reputation for technical excellence and strong client relationships.

Primary Purpose of the Position:

This position is responsible for the management and development of the North Africa and East Africa (K) regional offices. This includes ensuring that the strategic direction aligns with the business core strengths and current strategic plan. The position will be responsible for the region’s business planning, marketing, profitability, resource management and project delivery.

Key Responsibilities 

• To develop business strategies for the North Africa and East Africa (K) Regions that are in line with SMEC Africa’s business objectives and the overall national and company strategic objectives;
• To identify and manage risks across the regions;
• Marketing within the regions while focusing on key clients who have a national impact;
• Proactively developing work or being aware of what projects are likely to come up from key clients;
• Responsible for the commercial overview of the regions. This includes the financial management, client liaison and contract administration of selected projects;
• Developing and maintaining key client relationships in the sectors;
• Submission of EOIs and Proposals and providing input into large projects;
• Responsible for the overview of proposals submitted by the teams in North Africa and East Africa (K).
• Managing the regions’ overhead, proposal and marketing budgets;
• Winning and delivering North Africa and East Africa (K) based projects;
• Ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget;
• Ensuring all resource processes are functioning within the team, e.g. CareerTrac is completed for each employee, timesheets completed, data sheets produced, CVs kept up to date, etc.;
• Monitoring staff utilisation levels to ensure staff are fully utilised, and coordinating this with the Functional Managers;
• Ensuring all projects are adequately resourced in terms of numbers and capabilities;
• Developing and maintaining internal contacts within SMEC to source appropriate skills;
• Developing and maintaining training and mentoring systems for the North Africa and East Africa (K) staff. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Keeping them informed,
  • Provide advice on suitable training and any opportunities,
  • Planning career paths,
  • Maintaining professional ethics and professional standards of behaviour      and
  • Developing a training plan within the team.
• Ensuring that documentation, reporting and communication is appropriately achieved;
• Managing or being part of a multidisciplinary team set up to deliver project milestones;
• Responsible for assigning Project Directors and Project Managers to projects and monitoring their performance in conjunction with Functional Managers.
• Working with the Operations Manager to explore opportunities related to the regions.
• Cross selling into other SMEC groups when the opportunity arises;
• Mentoring and developing quality Project Management resources within the North Africa and East Africa (K) business;
• Recruitment of staff for the regions - approval having been gained from the Regional Director, Africa;
• Monthly reporting to the Regional Director, including attendance at Senior leadership team (SLT) meetings;
• Keeping staff informed - regular group meetings and team updates, and
• Ensuring all regional projects adhere to SMEC’s Business Management System (BMS).

Key Performance Indicators:

• Developing and implementing strategy for the North Africa and East Africa (K) regions;
• Maintaining and expanding the key client base;
• Contribution to growth;
• Staff utilisation (Resource Profitability);
• Keeping staff informed and engaged;
• Maintain acceptable levels of cash flow (lock up < 90days);
• Project profitability;
• Implementation of project management and company procedures;
• Development and integration of the team;
• Quality, professionalism, technical innovation and excellence;
• Achieving the regions’ Budget Fees, overhead, and contribution;
• Project delivery to meet client’s Terms of Reference (TOR);
• Development of networks and contribution to team goals;
• Business development and marketing where appropriate;
• Promoting staff development and project team management;
• Technical support and mentoring, and
• Recruitment and project mobilisation.

Key Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor of Engineering degree/higher degree from accredited university/college
• Minimum 15 years of practical experience in the [insert Function] discipline
• Knowledge of obligations under the current SMEC OH&S program which are defined in the OH&S section of the SMEC BMS – document OHSPR107; and Sound knowledge of Quality Assurance (QA).
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in the industry
• Ability to market and develop relationships
• Implementation of sound principles in project management, risk management and financial management
• Ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary input into opportunities (EOI, RFT’s) and Projects;
• Willingness and ability to work with web based financial systems to extract and analyse group performance
• Knowledge of design processes and standards for sector and client
• Knowledge of industry trends and advances
• Ability to write effectively in English to furnish reports and to prepare business development materials including proposals
• Demonstrated ability to successfully undertake and deliver client’s TOR and
• Hands-on experience in delivering within project based budgets and timelines.
• Professional delivery and appearance to ensure SMEC image is maintained
• Good interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively within a culturally diverse and multi-disciplinary environment
• Courteous and business orientated manner when communicating with stakeholders to foster and promote good working relations
• Co-operative and flexible work style to work in a team environment
• Willingness to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge
• Ability to apply new knowledge, and
• Able to work under pressure.

SMEC is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity is a source of strength for our people, our clients, our partners and our communities.