Senior Consultant - Economic Development

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Cape Town or Durban based | Hybrid (Work from Home + Office + Client Sites)

💰 Salary: R600,000 to R900,000 Annual CTC, based on experience

As a Senior Consultant in BMA’s Industrial Development team, you will help shape the future of manufacturing in Africa.

You will work across:

• Macro – national industrial policy
• Meso – sector strategy and industry platforms
• Micro – firm-level competitiveness

You’ll translate strategy into measurable economic impact. This role involves close engagement with public and private sector leaders, advancing South Africa’s reindustrialisation agenda through effective public–private collaboration.

You’ll work across sectors including automotive, chemicals, clothing and textiles, furniture and agri-processing, applying structured problem-solving, economic and financial analysis, applied research and global best practice.

You’ll join a high-performance team united by purpose: driving growth, competitiveness and sustainability in South Africa’s industrial economy.

• Diagnose complex industrial and economic challenges using rigorous analysis
• Conduct applied research to inform policy and strategy
• Facilitate workshops that align diverse stakeholders around action
• Translate complex analysis into clear, compelling recommendations
• Manage projects to deliver measurable impact on time and within scope
• Develop tools and programmes that strengthen localisation, sustainability and competitiveness
• Solve real-world problems in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments

We build dignity and opportunity through sustainable, production-led economies, positioning Africa as a globally competitive manufacturing hub.

We partner with:

• Leading firms on value chain and business transformation
• Government on smart industrial policy
• Industrial clusters on innovative, sector-wide development

Our work spans research, policy, strategy, execution, manufacturing performance improvement, skills development, sustainability, decarbonisation and SME growth.

You are purpose-driven and motivated by manufacturing-led employment creation.

You:

• Think systemically, but stay grounded in operational reality
• Solve complex problems using data and structured thinking
• Prefer delivery over theory
• Are organised, disciplined and proactive
• Communicate with clarity and commercial insight
• Produce high-quality, polished work
• Engage confidently — from factory floor to boardroom
• Are intellectually curious and committed to continuous learning
• Value collaboration and shared success

• Master’s degree in a rigorous, analytical discipline (e.g. Economics, Development Economics, Engineering, Geography, Industrial Psychology, Commerce) from a leading university
• 2+ years’ relevant experience (consulting advantageous)
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint capability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience with in manufacturing sectors

• Private sector drive, social impact – We combine commercial discipline with meaningful industrial development.
• Flexible working – Home, office and client-site balance to support deep work and collaboration.
• Performance-based growth – Discretionary awards and accelerated progression for strong performers.
• Collaborative culture – Structured induction, company-wide alignment rhythms and a genuinely energising team environment.

• Answer a few screening questions
• Complete three 10-minute assessments
• Upload your CV
• Submit a short (2-minute) video

The process takes approximately 45 minutes.

We look forward to reviewing your application.