Investment Principal- Private Equity, renewable energy, Cape Town

Trafalgar Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Trafalgar Recruitment is seeking an Investment Principal to join a premier private equity client focused on renewable energy and energy infrastructure in Southern Africa. The role centers on leading deal origination, evaluation, structuring and execution, with close collaboration to the CIO and wider leadership team.

The successful candidate will oversee sophisticated financial modelling, due diligence and investor materials, contributing to strategy and portfolio value creation.

Qualifications

• CA(SA) or equivalent professional qualification strongly preferred.
• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering or related field; postgraduate qualification desirable.
• 8–10+ years in private equity, project finance, investment banking or advisory focusing on energy infra.
• Proven track record leading transactions from origination to close.
• Experience in M&A and capital markets exposure is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end evaluation, structuring and execution of equity investments in renewables.
• Oversee financial modelling, analysis, and risk assessment.
• Present opportunities to Investment Committee and Board.
• Collaborate with CIO, CEO, CFO, legal, risk and external advisors.
• Drive portfolio value creation and strategy development.
• Manage timelines and coordinate due diligence.
• Lead or support M&A transactions and platform acquisitions.
• Monitor portfolio performance and report to stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

CA(SA) / CFA

Undergraduate degree in Accounting/Finance/Engineering

Tools

Python

Excel

Financial modelling

Job description

We are recruiting an Investment Principal for our client.

Our client, an established and prestigious Private Equity player in Southern Africa is looking to appoint an Investment Principal, to work directly with their CIO and broader team, focusing on renewable energy investments.

They are looking for a dynamic, hardworking and results-driven person with strong problem-solving abilities and a proven track record in leading complex financial modelling and energy infrastructure transactions. Background in valuations, project finance and private equity is highly advantageous.

This exciting role will place the successful candidate at the centre of a fast-growing energy platform with significant growth aspirations. The business has a strong existing portfolio of investments and financial backing to execute on its growth strategy. This is a fantastic opportunity with a well-funded and proven team of professionals looking to onboard a new team member who wants to join in and be part of their success story.

JOB TITLE

Location: CAPE TOWN

The individual will be a senior member of Our client’s investment team, reporting to the Chief Investment Officer, and will play a leading role in the identification, evaluation, structuring, execution and ongoing monitoring of renewable energy and energy infrastructure investments.

This role is critical to expanding investment capacity and supporting succession within the investment team. The Investment Principal will lead deal processes, oversee financial modelling and analysis performed by the investment team, present opportunities to the Investment Committee and Board, and contribute to investment strategy and portfolio value creation. The role will involve close collaboration with the CIO, CEO, CFO, legal, risk and compliance functions, and external advisors.

The successful candidate will be a commercially astute, results-driven professional with proven leadership ability, strong problem-solving skills, and a track record of building and maintaining complex financial models and successfully closing energy infrastructure transactions.

The investment team is Cape Town based and the rest of the team is Sandton based, therefore the role will require regular travel for meetings with the broader team and advisors, as required.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Investment Leadership and Transaction Execution

• Lead the end-to-end evaluation, structuring and execution of equity investment opportunities across renewable energy, battery storage, transmission and related energy infrastructure.
• Lead or support M&A transactions involving the acquisition of complementary platforms, portfolios or companies, including valuation, structuring, negotiation and integration considerations.
• Contribute to capital markets readiness and any future listing processes, including preparation of financial information, investor materials and supporting due diligence as required.
• Develop and maintain proprietary financial modelling and analysis tools in collaboration with the investment analyst and broader team, including project equity models, acquisition models, portfolio valuation models and corporate/fund models.
• Oversee and quality-control financial models, scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, returns analysis and market comparables.
• Identify key risks and value drivers and ensure these are appropriately reflected in investment recommendations and equity returns.
• Evaluate financing and funding options and incorporate them into equity modelling and transaction structuring.
• Support transaction structuring and tax planning considerations as they impact project and equity returns.
• Lead or support equity due diligence processes with investors, lenders and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and present Investment Committee and Board papers and packs.
• Collect, analyse and articulate an understanding of key value drivers of investment opportunities, businesses and relevant sectors.
• Manage transaction timetables, coordinate service providers during diligence, and ensure proper documentation and storage of deal materials.

Portfolio and Strategy

• Monitor and track the performance of equity investments against plan and contribute to ongoing portfolio management and value creation.
• Analyse renewable energy industry and technology trends and assess their implications for the platform.
• Support investment reporting on the portfolio, pipeline and trajectory.
• Contribute to the development of investment strategy and capital allocation decisions.
• Build and maintain relationships with developers, co-investors, lenders, advisors and other stakeholders.

Team and Process

• Provide leadership, mentoring and development support to the investment analyst and other team members.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of investment processes, modelling standards and documentation.
• Support the CIO in all aspects of investment evaluation, implementation and execution as required.

CA(SA) or equivalent professional qualification (e.g. CFA) strongly preferred.

• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Actuarial Science, Finance, Engineering or related field, ideally combined with a postgraduate qualification (Honours, CTA, MBA or equivalent).
• Strong academic record.
• 8 – 10+ years relevant experience in private equity, project finance, investment banking or transaction advisory, with a strong focus on energy infrastructure, renewables or infrastructure investments. Proven track record of leading transactions from origination through to financial close, including financial modelling, structuring, due diligence and negotiation.
• Experience in M&A transactions (including platform or portfolio acquisitions) and exposure to capital markets or listing processes would be advantageous, given the platform’s inorganic growth strategy and long-term listing ambitions.

Analytical Tools and Process Automation Skills

• Experience with advanced analytical tools including AI, process automation or scripting languages is advantageous but not essential.
• Ability to apply advanced analytical and automation tools (including scripting languages such as Python and large language models) t to improve the efficiency of investment analysis, financial modelling, due diligence support and management reporting.
• Experience developing or maintaining automated processes and analytical tools that integrate with existing financial models, reduce repetitive manual work, and support portfolio monitoring and recurring information requirements.
• Capacity to use these tools while exercising sound commercial judgement and retaining full responsibility for the accuracy, quality and integrity of analytical outputs.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY

South African National, preference for employment equity candidates.

COST TO COMPANY

The CTC is market related and based on profile, background and experience.