Programme Manager Projects (PHD Mechanical Engineering)

Discipline: Mechanical Engineering (PHD, Pr. CPM – Professionally Registered Construction Project Manager (SACPCMP)/PMP – Project Management Professional Certification/Pr. Tech Eng – Professional Engineering Technologist (ECSA)/SAIMechE). Industry in: Power Generation / Mining & Metals / Oil & Gas. Years of experience range: 20 to 30 years. Annual package range: R1.85 mil – R2.0 mil. Gender: Male. Ethnicity: Caucasian/White. Nationality: South African.

Having started as an apprentice, I came through the ranks to fill several Senior Technical, IM/IT and Project Management roles, becoming a highly trained and skilled management professional. I have over 20 years experience in the small to large scale capital project environment, in Botswana, USA, Hungary, Israel, Australia, Congo (ROC) and all over South Africa, with an exceptional track record in multidisciplinary civil infrastructure, power generation, nuclear, mineral processing, petrochemical, mining, and logistics (rail & port). Recognition for excellence received in various fields, includes a comprehensive list of awards for capital project evaluation (technical, financial and investment criteria), execution, innovation, safety, project assurance and audit compliance.

Description of self: “Due to my practical background, I am technically oriented and like to get my hands dirty. Through the training in engineering, I am an analyst by nature and enjoy studying issues, problems and situations until I can find the best solution. Personal development through leadership programmes, the MBA and my involvement in many different international ventures, have given me exposure to an array of different cultures and richly enhanced my communication abilities. It has also provided a unique understanding of these different cultures, and the ability to maximise the diversity that stems from it. I have also been exposed to complicated (cross border) reporting lines, and the sensitivity, confidentiality and complexities that come with it.”

Candidate location: South Africa

Home & other languages: Afrikaans, English

Designation: Programme Manager

Highest qualification type: PHD

University: Other / International Institution

Company size: ‘5001 – 10000

Division: Programme / Project Management

Seniority level: Regional / Country / Area / General / Project Manager / Department Head

Gender:                                    Male

Ethnicity:                                 Caucasian/White

Nationality:                              South African

Highest Formal Qualification:  PHD (Mechanical Engineering)

University in another country: Regenesys Business School

Other Formal Qualification:    Business Economics and Management (Nov 16)

Current / most recent job title?

Programme Manager Projects

Primary purpose of current/most recent position:

I am currently responsible for defining and establishing the applicable project services, procedures, processes, systems and resources for the Programmes under my leadership. In this role, I have comprehensive PM responsibilities, which typically include: Design and engineering, procurement, supply chain- and contract management (including the definition of contracting strategies), construction management, monitoring and control across all the phases of the project lifecycle (including the information management methodology), stage gate review and approvals, quality assurance, estimating and cost control, stakeholder management, risk management and control, interface management, scope management, change management, scheduling and planning, performance measurement, reporting to all stakeholders (client, communities, Steering Committees, EXCO and the various Boards of Directors), commissioning and handover, project and commercial closeout, SHE compliance in accordance with the MHSA and OHSA, and defining resource requirements (project teams) as appropriate for each phase of these projects.

Core elements or functions that must operate effectively in order to achieve primary purpose:

Successful integration of project portfolio planning and alignment with the company strategy. Early project development done to sufficient standards to ensure success, without extending delivery dates unnecessarily. Implementation of these projects below costs, on schedule and with a good safety record.

Description of self, along with greater purpose and passions:

Due to my practical background, I am technically oriented and like to get my hands dirty. Through the training in engineering, I am an analyst by nature and enjoy studying issues, problems and situations until I can find the best solution. Personal development through leadership programmes, the MBA and my involvement in many different international ventures, have given me exposure to an array of different cultures and richly enhanced my communication abilities. It has also provided a unique understanding of these different cultures, and the ability to maximise the diversity that stems from it. I have also been exposed to complicated (cross border) reporting lines, and the sensitivity, confidentiality and complexities that come with it. To get a bit philosophical: My personal goal is to be a Strategic Human Asset, i.e. to add value to my organisation and every person I meet, far beyond that which could realistically be expected.

Ideal business title: 

Senior Project/Engineering Manager; PMO Manager; Programme/Portfolio Manager; PM and PMO Specialist/Consultant; General Manager; GM: Projects; Director: Projects.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities of ideal position:

Management of large scale and complex technical projects, programmes and/or portfolios. Alignment of projects and technical challenges with business strategies, project evaluation and selection. Strategic recovery of projects and business activities already in implementation: Quad constraint recovery (safety, cost, schedule, quality). Business Principles, practices, compliance, auditing, governance, legal liability.

Skill area of competence:

Strategic and integrated management of large scale and complex technical projects, programmes and/or portfolios.
Project FEL (stage gate) development and alignment with business strategies, project evaluation and selection (MBA Thesis).
Strategic project recovery of projects already in implementation: Quad constraint recovery (safety, cost, schedule, quality).
PM principles, practices, compliance, auditing, governance, legal liability and PMO development.
Specialist training and experience in PM systems implementation, Next-Gen PMO and Portfolio Management.
Extensive technical knowledge of systems, processes and equipment in the IM, power, energy, nuclear and mining sectors.

Career summary:

6 years in mining: Coal, Iron Ore, Mineral Sands
16 years in Power Generation (renewables, coal and nuclear)
IM (Project Management of high-end scientific applications/product development)

Achievements:

General Management: Successful establishment of a private consulting firm. Involvement and/or management of 50+ successful commercial projects in the local and international energy, mining and petro-chemical industries. Various senior general management roles held in the project environment.

Engineering: Analysis, design or optimisation of a great number of mechanical systems in the International Power Generation, Mining and Petro-chemical industries. Development of a methodology for the complete integration of all thermo-physical aspects for High Temperature Reactor (HTR) design and analysis. The most important contribution from this work was in the field of leakage flow through an HTR. This work is internationally recognized, leading to the completion of a PhD thesis.

Mining: The projects and programmes that I was responsible for, were delivered ahead of schedule, with high quality standards, under budget and with outstanding safety records. I received clean audit reports for these international projects, after undergoing extensive project-wide audits (technical, financial and PM process), and therefore have an exceptional track record where it concerns technical, financial and PM assurance. This is evident from the many awards received over the years.

Ideal company (culture and values):

A company with minimal politics, focused on running a lean and mean operation with a common respect between employees and management. Maturity shown by employees and management to trust the people they have employed.

What do you absolutely love doing?

Problem solving, analysing issues and problems, working with dedicated groups of people to achieve difficult and challenging goals.

Where would you like to be in your career in the next 5 to 10 years, what would you like to have achieved?

I am an opportunist – where I am in the next 5 years will depend on the opportunities that come my way. Being fixated on a specific 5 year goal will make me narrow-minded and inflexible. Advanced training in project management, engineering and business management allows me to apply my training and add value in several different roles. This is further supported by vast ranging experiences in different industry sectors.

What are your strengths?

Sound working knowledge of different engineering disciplines, skilled at technical integration management. Higher level integration between engineering, project finance and controls, supply chain (contractual), construction and the various legal aspects related to capital projects. Management of the environmental and legal approval process related to capital projects, in different countries. This all translates to a key strength to integrate the many different aspects related to management in a senior role, whether it be operational, capital projects or technical.

Areas of development?

Patience: Firstly, having to deal with people that do not have a sense of urgency. Secondly people that “stir”, i.e. create trouble through negative attitudes and behaviours, rather than focusing on the task at hand.

Motivation to move (please select): Successful completion of projects. No further developments.

Location Preference: I am open to positions internationally.

Or download our full Enshrine Candidate Portfolio of Excellence containing over 4500 Engineering and Technical candidates across multiple industries, including Mining, Chemicals (including Petrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals), Energy (Power Generation and Renewables) and many more.

Our Enshrine Candidate Portfolio of Excellence provides an easy-to-search platform, allowing you to easily identify candidates based on the search criteria such as Country, Designation, Qualification level and Discipline, Years of experience and Demographics.

In addition, it provides valuable word-of-mouth information for your retention strategies, industry benchmarking, future cross-border placements, performance measurements and salary reviews even if you are not currently recruiting.