Associate Director – Infrastructure and Capital Projects Advisory (Procurement and Transaction Management)

HKA is a leading infrastructure project, strategy, commercial advisory, and dispute resolution company. We provide advisory and transformation services to major infrastructure and capital projects clients as well as large asset businesses to help them achieve their goals through strategic and operational excellence.

About the role

Our Advisory team is an agile group that works with clients to set up their portfolios, programmes, and projects for success. We thrive on supporting clients with their most complex challenges and opportunities that are varied and interesting. We have a compelling track record of providing practical, pragmatic solutions and partnering with our clients to implement strategic change.

As part of the HKA team, you can expect:

• To be part of a rapidly growing team and drive the future success and development of our global business.
• Opportunities to lead complex commissions and projects.
• A professional and dynamic environment where differing views are valued.

HKA’s Infrastructure and Capital Projects Advisory business in South Africa provides advice to a range of organisations from large state-owned entities, developers, through to construction and engineering contractors. We have a strong and supportive team that both challenges and encourages one another to perform at their best while upholding high ethical standards.

We are seeking an Associate Director to join our growing team in Johannesburg. We are ideally looking for someone with front-end procurement, transaction, and strategy development experience, strong commercial acumen, and an interest in strengthening collaboration in the infrastructure sector.

Responsibilities

• Leading and advising on delivery models and procurement strategies, including developing commercial frameworks, assessing client risk profiles, and structuring contractual arrangements to protect project outcomes.
• Implementing strategies and managing and leading transactions for various disciplines and infrastructure projects.
• Building and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships and tailoring services to respond to challenges, expectations, and priorities.
• Developing initiatives and contributing to the growth of the business and team capability.
• Driving executive-level conversations focused on business procurement transformation and positioning HKA’s practical and pragmatic solutions.
• Leading executive workshops, innovation sessions, and value realization discussions.

You may be working across infrastructure sectors such as water, aviation, transport, or energy across South Africa. As part of an international advisory practice, you may occasionally have the opportunity to contribute to or support this broader team.

Requirements

• Degree qualification in engineering, business, quantity surveying, law, commerce, or other relevant discipline.
• Experience developing procurement strategies and managing transactions related to infrastructure projects.
• Sound working knowledge of public sector procurement, regulatory framework, and probity principles.
• Experience developing (with legal support) robust standard form or bespoke contracts and negotiating with suppliers to achieve competitiveness and risk reduction.
• Minimum 8+ years of complex pursuit management and opportunity development experience.
• Proven executive relationship management skills.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills.
• Leadership and management skills, with the initiative and eagerness to find solutions to overcome challenges.
• Willingness to support and contribute to the professional development of others within the team.
• Ability to create trusting and lasting relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Agility to prioritise and manage own time in an environment with several competing requirements and multiple clients.

Benefits

At HKA, we recognise that our people are critical to our ongoing success. Our priority is to provide an inclusive and collaborative culture aimed at providing the best opportunities for our people to thrive and develop in their chosen career path.

• Flexible working pattern both in terms of hours and location, including flexible remote working.