Group Chief Financial Officer

Search Partners International (Spi); Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 750 000; Full time

Job summary

A major power utility in Africa is seeking a Group Chief Financial Officer to lead its financial and strategic turnaround. The role involves partnering with the executive team to ensure financial sustainability, manage complex funding structures, and drive cost optimization efforts. The ideal candidate has proven experience in large organizations, strong capital-raising expertise, and a collaborative leadership style. A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Qualifications

• Proven CFO or senior finance executive experience in large organizations.
• Strong project finance knowledge and exposure.
• Exceptional commercial acumen and execution capability.

Responsibilities

• Build a foundation for financial and commercial stability.
• Secure financing for generation recovery and renewable projects.
• Ensure transparent and timely financial reporting.

Skills

Capital-raising expertise

Strategic transformation experience

Stakeholder management skills

Deep knowledge of finance functions

Collaborative leadership style

Education

Chartered Accountant (SA) or equivalent

Job description

About the Company

Eskom Holdings SOC Limited (Eskom) is a state-owned corporation as defined by the Companies Act 71 of

It is wholly owned by the South African government, with the Minister of Electricity and Energy serving as the Shareholder representative.

Eskom operates across the full electricity value chain – generation, transmission, and distribution – through our divisions or wholly owned subsidiaries.

Eskom plays a vital role in the Southern African energy landscape through its trading activities within the SADC region and the continent.

With a dual commercial and socio-economic mandate, Eskom is committed to ensuring energy security, financial sustainability, and a just transition toward a lower‑carbon future.

Its operations supply over 86% of South Africa's electricity and approximately 20% of the power produced across Africa.

Following the establishment of the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), Eskom now reports to the Minister of Electricity and Energy as its Shareholder representative.

The DEE provides strategic direction, performance oversight, and energy policy alignment through key instruments such as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), and the Electricity Pricing Policy (EPP).

Eskom's activities are regulated by NERSA, the National Nuclear Regulator, and several government departments and parliamentary committees.

Eskom also has key subsidiaries, including Eskom Enterprises, Eskom Rotek Industries, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), Eskom Uganda Limited, and Trans‑African Projects, extending its influence across the continent through critical technical and operational services.

About the Role

This is a career‑defining leadership opportunity within one of Africa's most significant state‑owned enterprises and the largest power utility on the continent.

As Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will play a pivotal role in steering Eskom's financial and strategic turnaround at a time of national transformation of the power sector.

The CFO will be a credible strategic voice at the executive table, partnering closely with the Group Chief Executive and the Board to ensure Eskom's financial sustainability, restore investor confidence, and contribute to the country's economic resilience.

The role requires balancing financial discipline with socio‑economic impact – bridging government, capital markets, and the public interest.

This is a chance to influence public policy through finance, manage large‑scale reform, lead innovative funding strategies for energy security and renewable transition projects, and contribute to building a country we love.

Key Responsibilities

• Build a credible foundation for financial and commercial stability
• Serve as strategic partner to the Group Chief Executive and Board
• Manage Eskom's complex funding, debt, and capital structure
• Drive improvements in internal controls
• Lead cost optimization, revenue collection, and tariff reform
• Secure financing for generation recovery and renewable energy initiatives
• Oversee financial aspects of unbundling and restructuring
• Maintain strong stakeholder engagement with regulators, government, and investors
• Ensure transparent, accurate and timely financial reporting across all divisions
• Embed integrity, accountability and operational excellence within finance and the broader organisation
• Drive finance shared services efficiency including payroll, human capital and fleet management

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Proven CFO or senior finance executive experience in large, complex organisations
• Strong capital‑raising expertise (local and international)
• Project finance knowledge and exposure to large infrastructure sectors
• Track record of strategic transformation and financial turnaround
• Exceptional commercial acumen, execution capability, and resilience
• Collaborative leadership style with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in energy, power, manufacturing, engineering, or similar capital‑intensive sectors
• Deep knowledge across finance functions including financial control, planning & analysis, audit, tax, risk, insurance, and business performance
• Professional registration with SAICA or equivalent professional body; Chartered Accountant (SA) or equivalent at NQF8 with credits

Remuneration

A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Equal Opportunity

Eskom Holdings SOC Limited is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and employment equity.

How to Apply

Confidential applications enclosing detailed profiles and contact details, quoting Eskom GCFO, should be sent to by 16 November.