Asset Director

SET Recruitment Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Asset Director to lead the strategic and operational management of renewable energy assets. The role focuses on optimizing plant performance, profitability, and stakeholder satisfaction. Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and have over 10 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. This is a senior leadership position with significant responsibilities in asset management and compliance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in asset management, operations, or project management within the renewable energy or utility sector.
• Proven success managing utility-scale renewable energy projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to maximize asset value.
• Ensure compliance with relevant agreements and regulations.
• Develop and manage annual budgets with detailed variance reporting.

Skills

Asset management

Financial management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline

Master’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Asset Director

Market-related Package

Port Elizabeth

Reports to: Chief Asset Operations Officer | Functional reporting to SPV Boards

About the Role

An experienced Asset Director is required to lead the strategic and operational management of a portfolio of utility-scale renewable energy assets. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring optimal plant performance, profitability, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction. The Asset Director will drive continuous improvement, lead cross-functional teams, and ensure that all operating projects meet their financial and operational targets.

Key Responsibilities

Asset Management Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary teams (Asset Performance, Coordination, Sustainability, Legal, Finance) to maximise asset value.
• Drive operational and financial optimisation in line with contractual obligations.
• Monitor and improve asset performance against forecasted returns.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Full P&L ownership for the asset portfolio.
• Develop, manage, and track annual budgets with detailed variance reporting.
• Oversee cash flow management, financial modelling, and investor reporting.

Regulatory & Contractual Compliance

• Ensure compliance with PPAs, O&M agreements, land leases, financing agreements, and related contracts.
• Manage and resolve contractual matters in partnership with legal teams.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with off-takers, regulators, landowners, government stakeholders, and shareholders.
• Prepare and present quarterly board packs and project updates.

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, regulatory, and environmental risks.
• Oversee insurance requirements, renewals, and claims.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Enforce strict HSE standards across all operating sites.
• Oversee incident reporting and corrective action processes.

Operational Excellence

• Lead initiatives to reduce downtime and enhance performance.
• Drive improvement projects including plant upgrades and cost-reduction initiatives.

Reporting & Governance

• Ensure timely and accurate financial, operational, and compliance reporting.
• Oversee audits and governance reviews.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• 10+ years’ experience in asset management, operations, or project management within the renewable energy or utility sector.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Proven success managing utility-scale renewable energy projects.