Head of Regions

Nefcorp; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

NEF seeks a senior leader to provide strategic oversight of regional offices, drive investment growth and ensure alignment with national transformation objectives. The role oversees deal origination, structuring, governance and performance across regions, guiding teams and external partnerships.

You will lead the execution of regional investment strategies, monitor pipeline health and champion developmental impact measures while coordinating with government and industry stakeholders to meet

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years investment experience with at least 5 years in senior management
• Deep experience across Development Finance, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Commercial Banking and Project Finance
• Proven ability to lead regional operations and manage geographically dispersed teams

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to all Regional Offices and align investments with NEF KPIs
• Drive regional investment growth and ensure quality deal flow to meet annual targets
• Develop regional business development strategies and partnerships with Government, Municipalities, DFIs and Industry groups
• Oversee investment process improvements, governance, technology adoption and risk management
• Mentor Regional Investment staff and monitor performance across Regions
• Represent NEF nationally and manage stakeholder relationships
• Ensure developmental impact targets (employment, ownership, rural development, transformation) are achieved

Skills

Investment leadership

Development Finance

Corporate Finance

Private Equity

Investment Banking

Commercial Banking

Project Finance

Transaction structuring

Financial modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Regional management

Portfolio management

Business development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance or related field

Postgraduate qualification (MBA, CA(SA), CFA) advantageous

Job description

Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance. Stockbroking

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

To provide a dedicated leadership, coordination and technical oversight to Regional Managers. The role will strengthen regional investment performance, improve the quality and consistency of deal origination and structuring, as well as ensure alignment of regional operations with the NEF's strategic objectives, organisational KPIs and developmental mandate.

Strategic Leadership of Regional Operations

• Provide strategic leadership to all Regional Offices.
• Develop and implement regional investment strategies aligned to:
  • NEF Strategic Plan
  • Annual Performance Plan (APP)
  • Organisational KPIs
  • Shareholder priorities
  • Government industrial policytransformation objectives
• Drive consistent implementation of investment strategy across all Regional Offices
• Develop regional performance improvement initiatives
• Lead organisational change across Regional Offices.

Regional Investment Growth

• Drive sustainable investment growth across all provinces
• Ensure sufficient and quality deal flow to meet annual investment targets.
• Monitor pipeline conversion rates and timelines.
• Identify underperforming regions and implement corrective interventions.
• Develop regional business development strategies.
• Ensure equitable distribution of investments nationally.
• Promote investment in rural areas, townships, secondary cities and economically underdeveloped districts.

Business Development

• Provide leadership on regional business development.
• Develop strategic partnerships with Provincial Governments, Municipalities, DFIs, Industry Associations, Business Chambers, Incubators and Enterprise Development programmes
• Promote NEF products nationally.
• Identify emerging investment opportunities.
• Develop regional sector strategies.

Technical Investment Support

• Provide technical guidance to Regional Managers throughout the investment process
• Support deal origination, deal structuring, funding solutions, financial modelling, transaction packaging, pricing as well as risk identification and mitigation
• Provide technical oversight on transactions and assist on complex transactions.
• Support early review committees.
• Mentor Regional Investment Associates and Analysts.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure investment reports submitted by Regional Offices meet NEF standards.
• Review commercial analysis, developmental impact, financial assumptions and financial implications as well as funding structures and investment recommendations.
• Improve investment quality and turnaround times.
• Reduce rework by Funds.
• Ensure consistency of investment recommendations nationally.

Regional Pipeline Management

• Monitor pipeline health nationally.
• Review pipeline ageing, conversion ratios, approval rates, decline trends and turnaround times.
• Implement interventions where required.
• Ensure regional targets are achieved.

Developmental Impact

• Ensure investments maximise the employment creation, black ownership, women ownership, youth ownership, people living with disabilities, rural development, township economy, localisation and industrialisation.
• Promote investments that deliver measurable socio-economic impact.
• Ensure alignment with national transformation priorities.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain relationships with Provincial MECs, Municipalities, Development Agencies, Provincial Economic Departments, Business Organisations and Industry Associations.
• Represent NEF nationally.
• Resolve regional escalations.

Performance Management

• Manage Regional Managers
• Monitor performance and drive accountability.
• Develop regional capability.
• Support succession planning.
• Ensure alignment of regional KPIs with organisational objectives.

Investment Process Improvement

• Drive implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, investment governance, technology adoption, AI-enabled screening, CRM improvements and pipeline management systems.
• Ensure standardised investment practices nationally.

Governance and Risk

• Ensure regional compliance with Investment Policies, Delegation of Authority, Risk and Governance framework, compliance requirements, monitor audit findings and implement corrective actions.

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum 10 years investment experience with at least 5 years in senior management;
• In depth working experience in Development Finance, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Commercial Banking and Project Finance fields;
• Extensive experience in transaction structuring, investment committee presentations, financial modelling, business development, portfolio management, regional management, stakeholder engagement and leadership;
• Solid expertise managing geographically dispersed teams.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Engineering, Commerce Investment Management or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA, CA(SA), CFA, Master’s) is advantageous.

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes