Head Of Energy : Power – Coverage & Origination

Fempower Personnel; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in South Africa is seeking a Head of Energy to lead investment opportunities within the energy sector. This role requires extensive experience in finance, a strong track record of managing large-scale projects, and exceptional stakeholder relationship skills. The ideal candidate will formulate strategies, engage clients, and drive market-responsive financial products.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years experience in finance or development finance.
• At least 5 years in a senior management role in the energy sector.
• Proven track record in large-scale investment projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage energy sector investment opportunities.
• Formulate sector strategies and project evaluations.
• Drive client engagement and strategic partnerships.

Skills

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Negotiation skills

Relationship management

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Finance or relevant field

Job description

Lead and manage origination and development of investment opportunities in the Energy (Power) sector.

The Head of Energy (Power) is responsible for formulating sector strategies, identifying and evaluating viable projects, and ensuring alignment with the bank's development mandate and investment objectives.

The role drives client engagement, fosters strategic partnerships, and leads the development of market-responsive financial products.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership, Sector Intelligence and Policy Influence
• Client and Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Governance, Reporting and Compliance
• Digital Transformation
• People Management
• Achievement of sector-specific origination targets (value & volume of project approvals, commitments, and disbursements)
• Performance of the industry portfolio (via NPL ratio and overall asset quality)
• Delivery of sector-specific development targets (value of infrastructure catalysed and alignment with national development goals)
• Number and value of projects prepared for the bank's approval and funds secured under management
• Client service ratings, development of annual client plans and establishment of partnerships to enhance market positioning and generate deal flow
• Effective team management (talent development, performance management, succession planning)

Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification (honours, master's, or equivalent) in Finance, Development Finance, Engineering or relevant field.
• Minimum 12 years' experience in finance, investment banking, or development finance, with at least 5 years in a senior management role in the energy sector.
• Proven track record in originating, structuring, and closing large-scale investment projects in the energy sector and broader infrastructure environment.
• Deep understanding of financial instruments and structures (corporate loans, project finance, early-stage / venture capital investing).
• Strategic planning and leadership expertise with strong grasp of business strategy execution and investment alignment.
• Solid knowledge of infrastructure markets, financial markets, and macroeconomic dynamics across South Africa and broader African regions.
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills with an established network of partners, clients, and investors across public and private sectors.
• Experience in client engagement and solution design, addressing complex challenges through innovative investment solutions.
• Exceptional negotiation and communication skills, influencing and closing deals at executive and board levels.
• Proven ability to operate in politically sensitive environments, engaging senior stakeholders across diverse African contexts.
• Proven record in preparing high-quality reports, documents, and presentations for executive management, boards, and high-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor teams.
• Sound knowledge of the infrastructure landscape, financial markets, political economics, macroeconomics, socio-economic and development issues in South Africa and Africa.

Professional Certifications (Preferred / Advantageous)

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Chartered Accountant
• Leadership Programme (General or Advanced Management Programme)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• ECSA registration (for engineers)

Technical Competencies

• Sector expertise and global thought leadership, including speaking at international conferences, documenting business cases, white papers and articles.
• Understanding of dynamics of other sectors and drawing comparisons to gain insights.
• Deal origination: Formulate and develop new and alternative finance mechanisms and concepts replicable within and outside South Africa.
• Conceptualise and develop innovative funding instruments (equity, venture capital, mezzanine, debt, securitisation of projects, etc.) to finance infrastructure otherwise not possible through market alone.
• Proactively develop impact concepts to take to the market.
• Lead and mentor project teams.
• Formulate new products.
• Deal structuring: use credit enhancement techniques to optimise pricing in terms of Basel principles, optimise capital structure, collateral package, debt repayment profile.
• Interrogate financial models of high complexity to develop optimal structure.
• Identify complex structural issues needing escalation and propose appropriate bankable structures.
• Knowledge of advanced structuring including derivatives, syndicated loans, synthetic loans, securitisations, inflation-linked debt, credit default swaps, subordinated debt.
• Prepare specialised or tailored reports related to new innovative instruments, gather information from multiple sources, analyse, and include in reports to product approval committees.
• Compile comprehensive specialist reports for inclusion in credit committee submissions.
• Negotiation: appreciation of cultural sensitivities and differences; apply advanced behavioural/interpersonal competencies; lead sensitive negotiations; maintain long-term relationship focus.
• Financial analysis: lead work teams on complex issues; evaluate fiscal, operational, and service impacts; analyse legislation; implement statistical models.
• Demonstrate in-depth technical and administrative knowledge of rules and regulations in the subject area.