Associate Director Advisory Group: Water – (LEAD-010.1) at Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa

Description

• As a member of the Water Advisory Group (AG) management team, the Associate Director (AD) plays a key role in driving the performance, growth, and culture of the AG.
• The role provides leadership across strategic, operational, client, and people domains, supporting delivery of the AG’s business plan and Atana’s broader vision of designing a fairer, better, greener world that works for everyone in it.
• The AD role is held in addition to the incumbent’s core professional role (e.g., Senior Engineer, Senior Project Manager, or Technical Specialist).

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Advisory Group’s strategic objectives and annual operational plan.
• Provide leadership in assigned portfolio areas (e.g., technical excellence, project management, client engagement, or operational efficiency).
• Support the AG Director and management team in achieving financial, order intake, and improvement (TIP) targets.
• Champion change management, ensuring teams engage positively with new processes, systems, and ways of working.
• Contribute to cross-collaboration between AGs to support delivery of Atana’s overall strategy.

Internal Operations & Business Processes

• Support effective governance, business integrity management, and compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Provide oversight of project execution within assigned portfolios to ensure quality, profitability, and client satisfaction.
• Review and approve proposals and project documentation in line with the Power of Attorney and Authorisation Matrix.
• Promote digital ways of working, ensuring teams use Atana’s collaboration tools and data systems effectively.
• Support continuous improvement of business processes and project management discipline.

Clients & Markets

• Support the AG’s market and client strategy, helping to achieve order intake, pipeline development, and growth targets.
• Strengthen client relationships and account management within the AG; serve as account lead where appropriate.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities aligned to Atana’s capabilities and market priorities.
• Ensure all client and opportunity information is captured in the CRM system.
• Support marketing and positioning activities, including representation at industry forums and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee account management for named accounts within the AG

People & Culture

• Support resourcing and capacity planning across the AG, including collaboration with other AGs and HR.
• Contribute to recruitment, onboarding, succession, and talent development initiatives in collaboration with HR.
• Ensure performance and development reviews are conducted, learning needs identified, and knowledge shared.
• Coach and mentor colleagues, fostering an inclusive, high-performing, and values-driven culture.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing within teams.
• Communicate company and AG strategy, priorities, and updates to ensure alignment and engagement.

Job Requirements
Minimum Required Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or relevant discipline from a recognised institution (postgraduate qualification preferred).
• Professional registration (PrEng / PrTech) is essential. PMP / SACPCMP is advantageous
• Minimum 12–15 years’ post-graduate experience in the consulting engineering industry.
• Proven management experience at both strategic and operational levels.
• Demonstrated success in one or more of the following: project management, business development, client engagement, or technical leadership.
• Experience managing people and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Familiarity with digital tools and data-driven ways of working (e.g., BIM, ISO 19650, Power BI) advantageous.
• Understanding of both public and private sector client environments.
• Mobility
• Willing and able to travel within South Africa and internationally as required for project or business needs.

Behavioral competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong leadership qualities; able to inspire trust and build cohesive teams.
• Strategic thinker with sound business judgement.
• Collaborative mindset, balancing people, project, and commercial priorities.
• Results-oriented and accountable for delivery.
• Able to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Values-driven, inclusive, and adaptable to change.