Project Director - Asset Owner (Cape Town or Johannesburg) M/F

Voltalia; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy company is seeking a Project Director - Asset Owner to oversee renewable energy projects in South Africa. Responsibilities include managing assets, ensuring operational performance, and leading strategic initiatives. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in renewable energy and asset management. The role offers an opportunity to contribute to sustainable development and requires fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in asset management or renewable energy projects.
• Experience in project management with a PMP qualification is a plus.
• Fluency in English and local language skills are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage solar, wind, and storage power assets in South Africa.
• Lead due diligence for M&A opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with financing agreements and operational obligations.

Skills

Attention to safety

Integrity

Problem-solving abilities

Strong work ethic

Ability to resolve conflicts

Education

Finance degree or equivalent

Master’s degree in engineering or business

Job description

Project Director - Asset Owner (Cape Town or Johannesburg) M/F

General information

Project Director - Asset Owner (Cape Town or Johannesburg) M/F

As an Independent Power Producer,Voltalia operates in over 20 countries, developing, building, and maintainingrenewable energy projects and services across five key technologies: solar,wind, hydro, biomass, and storage. Backed by the AFM Group, a globallyrecognized, family-owned investment group, we benefit from long-term stabilityand a shared commitment to sustainable growth.

By the end of 2024, our operational and under-construction capacity reached 3.3 gigawatts—a 14% increase since 2023. With 1,500 employees worldwide, we thrive in a fast-moving environment driven by adaptability, innovation, and collaboration.

In our company, your work directly contributes to a more sustainable world. Whether you're driving projects forward, optimizing operations, or leading strategic initiatives, you're contributing to our mission to improve the global environment and foster local development.

At Voltalia, we welcome individuals from all backgrounds, whatever your race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, and experience. In our company, diversity drives innovation and contributes to a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Ready to make an impact? Bring your energy—let’s power a sustainable future together!

YOUR MISSIONS

The main objective of the Asset Owner is to manage and supervise new & operating IPP projects from Voltalia South Africa in the respective countries to drive operational performance, ensure profitability and compliance with key projects contract, align and enhance the project financials and business plan.

• Manage solar, wind and storage power generating assets in South Africa through pre-construction, construction and operation phases, to optimize the value of the assets for the business;
• Be an active contributor in assessment of any potential M&A opportunities which may arise in the South Africa (participate to the due diligence process technical and financial);
• Take a leading role in the presentation of the project to various SteerCo and Investment Committee or Board meetings, as and when required at various touch points following the late-stage Development of a project;
• Ensure the solid foundation of the Project Team around the asset and promote regular weekly meetings and check-ins between the key internal project stakeholders throughout the project life cycle;
• Ensure that the assets are financed, constructed, operated, kept safe and secure at all the times and administered;
• Achieve the objectives, execute the strategy, address the priorities, and comply with the budget agreed, to transpose those objectives and priorities into detailed operational and/or action plans for each of the assets;
• Act as representative of the Owner in front of the EPC Contractor, O&M Contractor, Lenders, Government Authorities, Off-takers, Suppliers, landowners (if applicable), partners and other key stakeholders;
• Issue the necessary reports to both internal and external project stakeholders and act in compliance with the operational obligations as deriving from the Financing agreements;
• Be the focal point and organize regular reviews as may be required by Lenders to confirm the compliance of operating plants (in relation with technical performance, financial performance, insurance compliance, etc.);
• Manage the contractual relationships with regulators, suppliers, subcontractors, third party stakeholders (both internal and external) and negotiate and resolve any claims stemming from such contractual relationships;
• Attend Local meetings on site and as required with off-takers, utility and other key project stakeholders;
• Conduct regular asset reviews to track the technical and financial performance of the assets and prepare rectification plans or recommendations for each of the assets to improve performance or address performance deficiencies and to oversee their implementation;
• Assume responsibility for the optimization of Voltalia’s assets in South Africa, technical but also financial, including taxes, insurance, corporate structuration, etc.;
• Build, foster and maintain relationships with local, national and regional authorities as well as other stakeholders, important to the successful finance, construction and operation of the assets in the South Africa;
• Build, foster and maintain positive and constructive relationships with the various internal Business lines in the execution of their activities with respect to the various assets, as well as with the various corporate support functions operating from other geographies, most notably, the DEV, EPC and O&M BLs and the ASIF (Commercial) and Finance corporate functions;
• Implement appropriate oversight to achieve the HSE objectives set for South Africa and for each of the assets, ensure that appropriate HSE training is put in place for relevant employees, and ensure a continual constructive communication with employees to promote a culture of safety and care across all of Voltalia’s assets in the South Africa;
• Ensure that the assets are constructed and operated in accordance with Voltalia’s quality procedures, that assets are kept secure, that operational procedures are adhered to, and to immediately report and rectify any such deficiencies;
• Participate actively and provide relevant contributions to the Voltalia South Africa Management team structure, including regular meetings and promotion of South African team spirit and culture across the local and global organization;
• Manage the respective asset teams to ensure we have the necessary people, processes and systems in place.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCES

• Finance degree or equivalent is preferred;
• Master’s degree in an engineering field and/or business;
• Proven track record in the asset management, construction and/or operation of energy projects, or proven experience in Finance Controlling;
• Previous experience in South Africa is necessary. Confirmed experience (+ 5 years) in renewable energy power plants;
• Confirmed experience (+ 5 years) in project management, PMP qualification is a plus;
• Fluency in English, with local language skills being an added benefit.

KEY SKILLS

• Attention to safety;
• Integrity, autonomy, creativity and initiative;
• Rigor, organization and ability to prioritize;
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail;
• Dedication to efficiency and to continuous improvement;
• Passion for performing on time and on budget;
• Strong work ethic with drive to succeed;
• Ability to handle and resolve conflicts;
• Commitment to promoting the success of others;
• Team spirit.

If this opportunity excites you, we'd love to hear from you! Apply now!

If you don't see the perfect opportunity today, don't worry - upload your resume and subscribe to job alerts, and we'll contact you when a match arises.

REFERENCE
2025-2430

LOCATION
South Africa, Cape Town

BUSINESS LINE
EAI - Asset Management

CONTRACT TYPE
Permanent Contract

CONTRACT DURATION

STARTING DATE
Sep-25

You may be interested in these vacancies