Head: Business Development

Astron Energy South Africa (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 3,000,000 - 5,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Astron Energy South Africa (Pty) Ltd in Cape Town seeks a Head of Business Development & M&A to lead the commercial and investment agenda across the value chain, running sourcing, evaluating, structuring, executing and integrating transactions with cross-functional partners.

The role owns complex financial models, presents to Investment Committees and Boards, and drives post‑investment performance to create value; 8+ years in corporate development and 5+ years in downstream oil are expected,

Qualifications

• 8+ years in corporate development, BD, M&A, investment banking or strategy consulting with demonstrable transaction execution experience.
• 5+ years’ experience working in Integrated Downstream Oil with exposure to Supply / Operations / Logistics / Trading.
• Track record of delivery in commercial optimisation, project implementation and process improvement.
• Strong negotiation and due diligence experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead BD & M&A team and define strategy and growth priorities.
• Manage end-to-end investment and divestment lifecycle: sourcing, valuation, diligence, negotiation, execution and close.
• Build and maintain complex financial models and valuation analyses to quantify value and risk.
• Serve as the focal point for refinery and infrastructure project evaluation and integration.
• Develop business cases for new revenue streams and monetisation opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Financial modelling

Deal execution

Stakeholder management

Valuation

Cross-functional leadership

Education

BCom/Finance/Economics

MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Head of Business Development & M&A is the primary commercial and investment lead for refinery and infrastructure growth across the value chain. This leader will run the end-to-end investment and divestment process — sourcing, evaluating, structuring, executing and integrating transactions — while leading a dynamic team and partnering across operations, trading, finance, legal and commercial functions. The role owns complex financial models and business cases, presents recommendations to Investment Committees and Boards, and drives post-investment performance to ensure value creation.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership: Lead and grow a high‑performing BD & M&A team; set priorities, develop capability and manage resourcing across projects. Define BD strategy and pipeline in support of corporate growth, commercial and decarbonisation objectives.

Transaction lifecycle & governance: Manage full investment and divestment lifecycle: deal sourcing, screening, valuation, diligence, negotiation, execution and close. Coordinate internal and external advisors (legal, tax, technical, environmental, commercial) and run robust due diligence processes. Prepare clear analysis and recommendations for Investment Committees and Boards; lead decision reviews and approval processes.

Financial analysis & modelling: Build and maintain complex financial models and valuation analyses (DCF, sensitivity, scenario) to quantify value, risk and returns.

Refinery & infrastructure focal point: Serve as the primary focal point for the evaluation of refinery and infrastructure projects, including growth projects, expansions and integrations.

Market entry, non-traditional revenue & asset monetisation: Lead business case development for new revenue streams (EV charging, renewables partnerships) and evaluate market entry options. Identify under‑utilised assets or land for monetisation through leasing, divestment or third‑party integration.

Team Effectiveness: Live the Company values and work effectively as an active and contributing member to achieve team goals. Implement continuous improvement methodologies across the function, including the coaching and mentoring of teams to drive business excellence.

Safety, Health, Quality and Environment Compliance: Ensure compliance with all Safety, Health, Environmental and all other applicable regulatory statutes, and all other safety and quality processes for the area of responsibility/work.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Identify, build, and nurture trust and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Key internal stakeholders: EXCO; Key Partners Information sharing, decision making, reporting and planning Implementation of projects and results tracking Support key stakeholders.
• Key external stakeholders: Glencore Align on strategy, key initiatives, and performance outcomes Best practice engagements.

Professional Qualification and Certifications

Degree in Business-related activity (e.g., BCom, Finance, Economics)

Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) is preferred.

Work Experience

Significant experience (8+ years) in corporate development, BD, M&A, investment banking or strategy consulting with demonstrable transaction execution experience.

5+ years’ experience of working in Integrated Downstream Oil with significant exposure to and demonstrable understanding of Supply / Operations / Logistics / Trading or related value drivers and KPIs.

Track record of delivery in commercial optimisation, project implementation and process improvement.

Knowledge and skills

Proven leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex cross‑functional projects. Strong technical ability in financial modelling, valuation and commercial due diligence; advanced Excel skills and familiarity with modelling best‑practice. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills; experience presenting to Investment Committees and Boards. Strong negotiation and commercial structuring capability. Comfortable operating across the downstream value chain; good understanding of downstream oil & gas (refining, terminals, distribution, logistics) is highly desirable. Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to terminals, fuels and energy infrastructure.

Application deadline: 27 September 2026

Astron Energy is a leading supplier of petroleum products in South Africa, with a vast network of Caltex‑branded service stations that make us one of the country’s top two petroleum brands. We are strongly committed to being a responsible corporate citizen, promoting education, health and economic development in an effort to build stronger communities and drive sustainable economic growth. We own and operate the country’s third‑largest crude oil refinery in Cape Town, which has a capacity of 100,000 barrels a day, and a lubricants manufacturing plant in Durban.