Head : Transport

Dbsa; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A development finance institution based in South Africa seeks a Head of Transport & Logistics to lead investment opportunities in the sector. The role involves strategic leadership, developing bankable projects, and fostering key stakeholder relationships. Candidates should have a postgraduate qualification and over 12 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 5 years in senior management positions. This is an opportunity to drive innovative financial solutions matching national development goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years' experience in finance or investment banking.
• At least 5 years in a senior management role relevant to transport and logistics.
• Proven track record in structuring and closing large-scale investment projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage investment origination in transport and logistics sectors.
• Formulate sector strategies aligned with regional development priorities.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with key clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Leadership

Client engagement

Negotiation

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Finance or Development Finance

Job description

Closing Date / 11 / 25 Reference NumberDBS Job TitleHead : Transport & Logistics Job Grade21 Job Type ClassificationPermanent Location - Town / CityMidrand Location - ProvinceGauteng Location - CountrySouth Africa Job Profile (Downloadable)Head of Transport Logistics Job kb) - 10 / 9 / 3 : 34 : 24 PM Job DescriptionLead and manage the origination and development of investment opportunities in the Transport & Logistic sectors.

The Head : Transport & Logistics 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 also drives client engagement, foster strategic partnerships, and leads the development of market-responsive financial products.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic LeadershipDevelop and lead the transport and logistics origination strategy, aligned with national and regional development priorities, including trade facilitation, regional integration, sustainable mobility, and decarbonisation of transport systems.Originate bankable transport and logistics projects across public and private sectors, in line with the Bank's development finance mandate and long-term strategic objectives.Align the project pipeline with strategic investment themes such as transport connectivity, freight and logistics corridors, urban mobility, and measurable socio-economic development outcomes.Deal OriginationLead the early-stage identification, conceptualisation, and screening of transport and logistics projects and investment proposals to assess technical commercial, developmental, and strategic viability, laying a solid foundation for project origination.Develop and manage a high-quality, diversified origination pipeline, progressing projects from concept to preparation phase in line with the Bank's mandate.Collaborate with internal teams to maintain pipeline quality, momentum, and alignment with institutional investment and development priorities.Drive targeted outreach and client engagement strategies, focusing on municipalities, utilities, private sector entities, and cross-border stakeholders in the transport and logistics space.Lead data-driven market analysis and segmentation to identify high-impact opportunities and expand the Bank's client and partner base.Represent the Bank in sector forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, positioning DBSA as a key player in transport and logistics infrastructure development.Sector Intelligence and Policy InfluenceOversee the development of sector-specific insights, opportunity maps, and investment briefs to guide project origination and inform institutional strategy in the transport and logistics sectors.Provide technical input into national and regional transport and logistic policy processes, regulatory consultations, and sector reform initiatives to support enabling environments for investment.Position the Bank as a thought leader in sustainable transport and logistics solutions, including climate-resilient infrastructure, low-carbon mobility, and inclusive access to transport services.Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic factors impacting the transport and logistics landscape in South Africa and across the region.Client & Stakeholder Relationship ManagementBuild and maintain long-term, trust-based relationships with key clients, sponsors, and stakeholders across public and private sectors.Engage early with project sponsors to shape bankable concepts and accelerate deal progression.Navigate complex stakeholder landscapes across government, development partners, private sector, and communities to align interests, influence outcomes, and drive successful infrastructure development.Position DBSA as the preferred partner for transport and logistics investment opportunities in the region.Governance, Reporting & ComplianceLead and oversee the preparation and presentation of high-quality submissions and reports for Executive Committees, Board, and governance forums, ensuring strategic and regulatory alignment.Coordinate cross-functional inputs to support informed decision-making and maintain compliance with governance protocols and institutional standards.Oversee robust reporting frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely reporting on performance, risks, and strategic progress.Manage follow-ups, actions, and resolutions from governance processes, while ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, risk policies, and audit recommendations.Digital TransformationChampion digital transformation within the Transport & Logistics function, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across teams.People ManagementLead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, driving a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning to maximise individual and collective potential.Drive talent development initiatives, including coaching, performance management, and career pathing, to build and retain a skilled and motivated team.Provide direction and management to the business unit, to enable the strategy execution.Attract, retain, and develop talent and ensure succession planning and sufficient capacity and capability in all critical functions, supporting diversity strategies and initiatives as well.Promote DBSA values and a culture of high performance through implementing performance management in line with the planned strategic objectives, goals, quality standards and agreed key performance measures using sound performance management principles.Key measurement of output : Achievement of sector-specific origination targets, including value and volume of project approvals, commitments, and disbursements.Performance of the industry portfolio, measured through key indicators such as Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio and overall asset quality.Delivery on sector-specific development targets, including the value of infrastructure catalysed and alignment with national development goals.Number and value of projects prepared for DBSA approval and funds secured under management.Client service ratings, development of annual client plans for key clients, and establishment of partnerships to enhance DBSA's market positioning and generate deal flow.Effective team management, including talent development, performance management, and succession planning aligned to strategic objectives.

Expertise & Technical Competencies Qualifications

QualificationsA postgraduate qualification (honours, master's, or equivalent) in Finance or Development Finance or Engineering or relevant qualificationExperienceMinimum 12 years' experience in finance, investment banking, or development finance, with at least 5 years in a senior management role, preferably in transport and logistics or related sectors.Proven track record in originating, structuring, and closing large-scale investment projects in the transport and logistics sectors or broader infrastructure environment.Deep understanding of financial instruments and structures, including corporate loans, project finance, and earlystage / venture capital investing.Strategic planning and leadership expertise, with a 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 a well-established network of partners, clients, and investors across public and private sectors.Experience in client engagement and solution design, with a demonstrated ability to address complex challenges through innovative investment solutions.Exceptional negotiation and communication skills, with experience 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 track record of leading and preparing good quality reports, documents and presentations for Executive Management, Board and high-level stakeholders.Demonstrated ability to manage teams with proven track record of mentoring developing direct reports.Sound knowledge and good grasp of the infrastructure landscape, financial markets political economics, macroeconomics as well as socio-economic, development issues, challenges and opportunities in South African and the rest of Africa.Professional Certifications (Preferred / Advantageous) : Chartered Financial AnalystChartered AccountantLeadership Programme such as a General or Advanced Management ProgrammeProject Management ProfessionalECSA registration (for engineers)TECHNICAL COMPETENCIESSector expertiseDemonstrates global thought leadership, including speaking at international conferences, sharing work via knowledge management, documenting business cases, white papers and articles.Understands dynamics of other sectors and uses that knowledge to draw comparisons and insights about the given sector.Foresees trends in the given sector industry at a global level and actively communicates / publishes opinions and insights.Understands sector industry dynamics, trends and key players at the global level and uses that knowledge to position DBSA as an economic policies authority of repute within the global market.Deal originationFormulate and develop new and alternative finance mechanisms and concepts that can be replicated elsewhere within and outside SA.Conceptualise and develop innovative funding instruments (equity, venture capital, mezzanine, debt, securitisation of projects, etc.) to finance infrastructure that would otherwise not be possible relying on the market only to develop and propose these investment opportunities.Proactively develop impact concepts to take to the market.Leads and mentors project teams.Formulate new products.Deal structuringUses credit enhancement techniques to structure deals and optimise pricing in terms of Basel principles.Has an in-depth and practical understanding of how to optimise the Capital Structure, collateral package, and debt repayment profile.Interrogates financial models, including those with a high degree of complexity, to develop an optimal structure.Identifies complex structural issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate bankable structures.Demonstrates knowledge on advanced structuring including the use of derivatives, syndicated loans, synthetic loans, securitisations, inflation linked debt, credit default swaps and subordinated debt.Prepares specialised or tailored reports relating to new innovative instruments, gather information from a variety of sources, analyse and include in a report to new products approval committeespiles comprehensive specialist reports as required for inclusion into credit committee submissions.NegotiationHas an appreciation of cultural sensitivities and differences.Effectively employs a variety of advanced behavioural / interpersonal competencies to control the negotiation situation.Is able to take the lead in a variety of sensitive negotiation situations requiring high levels of tact and diplomacy.Is able to place a discrete negotiation situation within the context of a broader long-term relationship and is not threatened by conceding ground to protect the longer-term interests of DBSA.Financial analysisServes as subject matter expert and leads work teams for more complex issues.Evaluates and determines fiscal, operational, and service impacts; analyses and evaluates legislation; and implements and evaluates statistical models in their subject areas.Demonstrates in-depth technical and administrative knowledge of the rules and regulations in the subject area and to defend analyses, testimony, and recommendations relating to a variety of issues before management and commissions.Business DevelopmentTakes overall lead for pro-active business development at national and regional level.Initiates, reviews, and interprets competitor environment reviews and take actions accordingly.Formulates and modify market approaches on the basis of competitor analyses.Leads the formulation, development, and implementation of the business development strategy to generate new business opportunities in public and private sector delivery of infrastructure.Identifies and develop new markets, products, and clients.Positions the DBSA as the preferred development partner, lender, and advisor.Leads the participation and presentation of the DBSA at investment conferences and roundtable discussions.Coordinates business activities to ensure that investment initiatives are in support of government BEE strategies, broader national and regional economic development strategies.Promote compliance and alignment with the strategic imperatives of both individual clients and the DBSA of investment and development interventions.Builds capacity to coordinate, control and manage the activities and efforts required for the implementation of the plan.Builds capacity to conduct project origination exercises.

Professional Certifications (Preferred / Advantageous)

Chartered Financial AnalystChartered AccountantLeadership Programme such as a General or Advanced Management ProgrammeProject Management ProfessionalECSA registration (for engineers)

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES Sector expertise

Sector expertiseDemonstrates global thought leadership, including speaking at international conferences, sharing work via knowledge management, documenting business cases, white papers and articles.Understands dynamics of other sectors and uses that knowledge to draw comparisons and insights about the given sector.Foresees trends in the given sector industry at a global level and actively communicates / publishes opinions and insights.Understands sector industry dynamics, trends and key players at the global level and uses that knowledge to position DBSA as an economic policies authority of repute within the global market.Deal originationFormulate and develop new and alternative finance mechanisms and concepts that can be replicated elsewhere within and outside SA. ...

• The KPA's, competencies and relationships listed in this document, is not exhaustive and the incumbent will be expected to undertake additional duties within their capacity to meet the needs of business and / or the business unit Required Personal AttributesLEADERSHIP / BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIESAnalytical thinkingIdentifies multiple elements of a problem and breaks down each of those elements in detail, showing causal relationships between them.Uses several analytical techniques to identify several solutions and weighs the value of eachDriving delivery of resultsIdentifies and implements a business opportunity that will have a long-term impact on the business.Monitors progress and adapts the plan if necessary, to ensure optimal benefit to the business.Makes decisions, sets priorities, or chooses goals on the basis of inputs and outputs makes explicit considerations of potential profit, return on investment, or cost benefit analysis.Based on the cost-benefit analysis, makes decisions of entrepreneurial risk nature.Leading and empowering othersIdentifies long-term goals for the team and communicates them to team members, ensuring their buy in.Sets a good example by personally exercising desired behavior, acts on values and beliefsmunicates a vision for the team and future success that inspires team members.After assessing others' competence, one delegates full authority and responsibility to others to do a task in their own way.Ensures that competent employees are given opportunities to further their careers.Strategic and innovative thinkingExperiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions and challenges conventional thinking.Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.Understands connections and trade-offs of strategic choices to evaluate which ideas are practical and possible by considering business and / or scientific implications.Develops innovative business and / or customer solutions that shape industry practices.Impact and influenceUses chains of indirect influence or experts / third parties to influence.Uses an in-depth understanding of the interactions within a group to move toward a specific agenda.