Project Manager – Water Infrastructure

We are looking for a Project Manager – Water Infrastructure to lead the delivery of a major water infrastructure project in Angola.

As the Project Lead on site, you will have overall responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the project from mobilisation through to commissioning and final handover, ensuring that the works are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality and technical standards.

This is a senior, site-based leadership position for an experienced Project Manager with a strong track record in large-scale water and infrastructure projects. The role involves the coordination of multidisciplinary engineering teams, contractors, consultants and other key stakeholders, with responsibility for managing project interfaces, monitoring progress and ensuring effective project governance throughout the execution phase.

The ideal candidate will have solid experience in water infrastructure and civil engineering, particularly on complex projects involving water supply systems, treatment plants, pumping stations, pipelines, reservoirs or similar infrastructure. Experience managing multiple contractors and engineering disciplines across large-scale projects will be highly valued.

The position will operate in a Client / Owner’s Representative capacity. You will be responsible for protecting the Owner’s interests throughout project execution, providing strong oversight of contractors and consultants, managing contracts and key interfaces, challenging performance where required, and ensuring that the project remains aligned with its scope, schedule, budget, quality and HSE objectives.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the delivery of a major water infrastructure project from mobilisation through construction, commissioning and final handover.
• Define and oversee the overall project execution strategy, ensuring alignment across scope, schedule, budget, quality, technical requirements and HSE.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project activities across civil works, water treatment, hydraulic infrastructure, mechanical and electrical systems, pipelines, pumping stations, reservoirs and associated infrastructure.
• Manage and coordinate contractors, subcontractors, consultants, supervision teams and other project stakeholders, ensuring clear responsibilities, interfaces and delivery expectations.
• Act as the Owner’s Representative, protecting the Client’s interests and ensuring that project execution remains aligned with contractual requirements, approved designs, technical specifications and project objectives.
• Monitor overall project performance, including progress, programme, costs, quality, resources and productivity, identifying deviations and driving corrective actions.
• Lead the management of project interfaces between contractors, disciplines, work packages, engineering teams and other stakeholders, ensuring effective coordination and resolution of interface issues.
• Review and challenge contractors’ programmes, methodologies, resources, procurement plans and execution strategies, ensuring they are realistic and aligned with project requirements.
• Oversee project risks and opportunities, ensuring that appropriate mitigation and contingency measures are identified, implemented and monitored.
• Oversee project reporting, cost control, financial performance, variations, claims and contractual matters, working closely with the relevant commercial and contract management teams.
• Coordinate with PMO, Procurement, Engineering, Bidding and Contract Management to ensure alignment across the project lifecycle and effective resolution of critical issues.
• Monitor contractor and consultant performance, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, technical standards, project procedures and HSE requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Angolan regulations, technical standards, permitting requirements and HSE legislation.
• Maintain effective relationships with the Client, government authorities, consultants, contractors and other key external stakeholders.
• Lead and motivate multidisciplinary project teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, ownership and a strong delivery culture.
• Ensure the effective planning and allocation of project resources, including personnel, equipment, materials and specialist contractors, in line with project requirements.
• Lead the transition from construction through testing, commissioning, completion and final handover, ensuring that all contractual, technical and documentation requirements are satisfactorily completed.

Requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering is mandatory. Candidates holding degrees in other disciplines will not be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years’ professional experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects, with proven responsibility across the project lifecycle from mobilisation through construction, commissioning and final handover.
• Proven experience as a Project Manager/Project Lead on complex infrastructure projects, within water, utilities or hydraulic infrastructure.
• Strong track record delivering large-scale water infrastructure projects, ideally involving water supply systems, treatment plants, pumping stations, pipelines, reservoirs or similar infrastructure.
• Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary projects, including civil works and interfaces with mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and other specialist systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing contractors, subcontractors, consultants, supervision teams and multiple project stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of construction management, project controls, planning, cost management, contract administration, variations and claims.
• Experience working in an Owner’s Representative, Client-side or Engineer’s Representative capacity is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to manage complex contractor interfaces, multiple work packages and project dependencies on major infrastructure projects.
• Experience engaging with government entities, authorities, Clients and other external stakeholders, with strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to review and interpret technical drawings, specifications, construction methodologies and engineering documentation. Experience with CAD/BIM platforms is an advantage.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project. Familiarity with project controls, reporting and project management systems is an advantage.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a demanding, fast-paced project environment.
• Previous experience working in multicultural and international environments is highly valued.
• Previous experience in Angola/Africa is highly desirable.
• Willingness to relocate to Angola and work on site as required is mandatory.
• Fluency in Portuguese and advanced English is mandatory.