Manager - CORE
Hatch · Johannesburg, Gauteng
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Start free — we apply for you →- This role would suit the profile of a Management Consultant and combines project and client leadership, commercial ownership, and people development, acting as the primary day-to-day interface with clients while leading consulting teams to deliver measurable operational outcomes.
- The role is comparable to a Manager role in a top-tier or boutique management consulting firm, with increasing responsibility for engagement ownership and practice growth.
Key Responsibilities
Engagement Ownership & Delivery Leadership
- Own end-to-end delivery of Operational Readiness & Ramp-Up engagements, from mobilisation through stabilisation
- Translate client objectives into clear engagement strategies, scopes, and delivery plans
- Manage delivery across multiple workstreams, ensuring alignment across people, process, systems, operating model, and governance
- Take accountability for engagement outcomes, quality, timelines, and commercial performance
- Proactively manage risks, issues, dependencies, and change across complex client environments
Client Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary day-to-day client lead, building trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders
- Lead steering committees, executive forums, and decision-making sessions
- Provide clear, pragmatic advice grounded in operational realities and best practice
- Navigate complex stakeholder dynamics to drive alignment and decision-making
Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Lead, motivate, and develop high-performing consulting teams
- Provide clear direction, coaching, and performance feedback to Senior Consultants, Consultants, and Analysts
- Create a strong learning culture focused on delivery excellence, accountability, and professional growth
- Identify capability gaps and support targeted development and mentoring plans
Business Development & Commercial Responsibility
- Lead and contribute to business development activities, including:
- Shaping client opportunities and scopes of work
- Developing proposals, pricing, and value propositions
- Presenting to clients and supporting go/no-go decisions
- Identify and convert follow-on opportunities within existing engagements
- Build and maintain a strong understanding of client priorities, industry trends, and operational challenges
- Contribute to pipeline development and revenue growth targets
Practice & Capability Development
- Contribute to the evolution of the Operational Readiness & Ramp-Up practice, including:
- Methodologies, tools, templates, and delivery standards
- Thought leadership and market-facing content
- Support continuous improvement of ways of working and delivery excellence
- Act as a role model for consulting behaviours, values, and client impact
Experience & Qualifications
Required Experience
- 8–12 years' experience in management consulting, advisory, or professional services
- Proven experience as an engagement or project manager leading consulting teams and complex client engagements
- Demonstrated experience in:
- Operational Readiness and ramp-up to stable operations
- Operating model design and operational transitions
- Managing multiple workstreams and stakeholders
- Strong track record across both delivery and business development
- Complex operating industries e.g. mining, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing is strongly preferred
- Availability to travel as required to support client engagements at project sites, including international locations.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and team management capability
- Excellent client-facing, facilitation, and influencing skills
- Advanced problem-solving and structured thinking
- Strong commercial acumen and financial awareness
- High-quality written and verbal communication, including executive-level storytelling
- Ability to operate confidently in ambiguous and fast-paced environments
Personal Attributes
- Trusted advisor mindset with a strong delivery orientation
- Accountable, resilient, and outcomes-focused
- Collaborative leader who builds trust and capability
- Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution
Success Measures First 12–24 Months
- Consistent, high-quality delivery of client engagements
- Strong client satisfaction and repeat work
- Achievement of engagement-level revenue and margin targets
- Development and progression of team members
- Contribution to business development pipeline and practice growth