West African Business Leader - Golder Associates

The primary purpose of a Business Leader is to develop, build and manage Golder’s business in the West African region; this is to be achieved through identifying business opportunities and potential clients, increasing the profile of the company and assisting in delivering of projects in a profitable manner in line with Golder’s ethics and core values

Responsibilities of the role will include:

• Build Golder’s brand in West Africa through engaging with mining clients and developing a strong pipeline of work from these clients.

• Actively promote the activities of the region within Golder (in Africa and globally) through active participation in the Global and Regional client programme).

• In their technical roles, Business Leads will fulfil the usual requirements of technical consultants and / or project managers (such as: proposal / project registration, technical input, etc.).

• A number of activities underpin this responsibility, including:

  • Preparing an annual Business Plan for presentation and sign-off to the Golder Partners;

  • Undertake active marketing initiatives with identified markets and / or clients to build Golder’s brand in the region. Prepare, with support from the marketing department, appropriate marketing materials in support of building the brand;

  • Participate in key marketing forums (e.g. Chamber of Business, etc.);

  • Identify potential project opportunities, uncover additional details / information about these opportunities and refer to appropriate specialists in the company. Undertake regular meetings with clients in following up these opportunities;

• Identify potential partners / alliances and / or competitors and ensure that regional office has an appropriate strategy or approach to dealing with these organizations;

• Identify new staff for the office in response to the opportunities and / or the need to grow the office and support the business in the recruitment process; and

The successful candidate will have a background in:

• Based in Ghana
• Engineering or Science degree
• Knowledge of West Africa mining business
• French speaking or ability to speak French
• Willing to travel
• Grow business in West Africa – client facing
• Business skills
• Technical skills in mine waste or mine water

Core Competencies:

• The employee has a strong understanding of our business, excellent people management skills and/or is becoming regarded as an expert in their corporate service function.

• Makes complex business decisions with input and is consulted by others.

• Major focus is shifting from operational to strategic management of the overall business unit or corporate service function, including development of their business strategy and implementation of the company strategy.

• Communication focus is on facilitating discussions with various stakeholders, aligning team or corporate service function with the company strategy.

• Develops and implements strategic initiatives, often collaborating at a regional to national level.

• Ensures others set clear expectations and accountabilities, creates an environment of reward and recognition.

• Mentors and coaches junior to intermediate staff with respect to their career growth and professional development.

• Displays leadership by inspiring others to achieve high performance.

• Client focus is on anticipating needs in business unit or organisation, addressing complex issues, typically working with senior staff and colleagues to develop and deliver innovative solutions.

• This is the first level for consideration as a Partner.

• Standards / Processes / Procedures.

Attributes 

Leadership: able to involve others in establishing a shared vision of where the group or corporate service function is going, sets an example by aligning behaviours with values.

Affecting change: actively communicates the need for change (the “why?”), understands and applies change management strategies.

Strategist:  can sense and respond to changes in the market, stays abreast of social, economic and other trends that may affect the business or direction of company policies and programs, helps organisation change and adapt.

Diplomat: skill in diplomacy, able to tactfully address and resolve difficult situations.

Performance coaching: knows what motivates members of the group, can link people to challenges that play to their strengths.

Strong communicator: understands the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, skilled in facilitation, leading meetings, gathering input, providing praise and recognition, inspiring presenter.

Organised: strong organisational and priority management skills, excellent delegation abilities with follow up and accountability, willing and able to “let go” of the day-to-day operational role.

Corporate awareness: able to translate national or global initiatives to the group, understands what is happening at broader level of organisation.

Your benefits at Golder will include:

• Employee owned structure - own the business, own the result

• Competitive benefits and remuneration packages

• Opportunity to deepen your expertise in a dynamic work environment

• Innovative and collaborative multidisciplinary projects

• On the job training, mentoring and coaching

Renowned for technical excellence, Golder is a leading, global employee-owned engineering and consulting firm with over a half century of successful service to its clients. With over 165 offices in over 30 countries, Golder’s 6,500 professionals are driven by a passion to deliver results, offering unique specialized skills to address the ever-evolving challenges that earth, environment and energy present to clients across the infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, manufacturing and power sectors.