Job description

Job Opening: Manager - Social Sciences (Mining Sector)
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Job Type: Permanent | Industry: Environmental & Social Consultancy | Sector Focus: Mining

A leading environmental and sustainability consultancy is looking for an experienced Manager - Social Sciences to be based in their Johannesburg office. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional to lead a dynamic team working on high-profile mining and infrastructure projects across Africa and internationally.

As the Manager of Social Sciences, you will play a central role in driving the department's growth and delivering high-quality social and socio-economic consulting services. You'll be responsible for managing a team of specialists, leading complex Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and building long-term relationships with key clients in the resources sector.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead the Johannesburg-based Social Sciences team and support cross-regional collaboration.
• Manage and deliver social performance services including socio-economic impact assessments, resettlement action plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, and local economic development plans.
• Oversee project budgets, timelines, and quality standards using internal project delivery frameworks.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, and community stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Contribute to business development through identifying opportunities, preparing proposals, and attending industry engagements.
• Stay informed of legislative changes and best practice in the social and environmental performance space.

What You Bring:

• Postgraduate qualification in social sciences, development studies, environmental management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in social performance consulting, ideally in mining or natural resources.
• Strong leadership and project management skills, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Proven experience in fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and community-based research.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must hold a valid driver's licence and be willing to travel as needed for project work.

What's on offer?

• Competitive salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Professional growth opportunities within a supportive, impact-driven company.
• Access to global projects and a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
• Recognition for outstanding contributions and potential shareholding opportunities.

Interested?

If you're based in Johannesburg and ready to lead meaningful work that shapes environmental and social outcomes in Africa and beyond, we'd love to hear from you.

Allen & York - delivering Sustainable Recruitment Solutions since 1993.

About us

Allen & York have been matching purposeful people with purpose-led organisations for 30 years. We partner with our clients and candidates on roles that build an understanding of climate change, promote sustainability and create inclusive and responsible organisations, working towards a sustainable world for us all.

Committed to inclusiveness in the workplace, we aim to increase diversity across all areas and therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability.

Let us help build a better world, together.