Associate Director

At Atana, we want our workforce to be as diverse as the people we serve and the places they come from. That's why we strive to create a workplace and culture that is fair and inclusive. Together, we're starting a journey in which each of us, individually and as a group, accepts, welcomes, and celebrates our uniqueness because we know that embracing diversity unlocks new ideas and fosters a spirit of openness that makes it easier for people to work together.

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

In line with our Employment Equity policy, preference will be given to applicants from designated groups and suitable internal candidates.