Senior Associate - Project Finance

Pinsent Masons LLP; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinsent Masons LLP in Johannesburg is seeking a Senior Associate to join its Structured Project Finance team. You will advise on the development, financing and acquisition of energy and infrastructure assets across South Africa and internationally, with exposure to premium clients and high‑value transactions.

The role offers early responsibility, training and progression in a market‑leading practice, working alongside experienced partners on flagship renewables, transport and low‑carbon projects.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years post-qualification experience in project finance or equivalent.
• Experience advising on energy and infrastructure financings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advising on project financings, refinancings and acquisition financings across energy and infrastructure sectors, including renewables, storage, transport and telecoms.
• Supporting transactions from term sheets and lender RFPs through to financial close and post‑completion.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating finance and project documentation with sponsors, lenders and advisers.
• Advising on operational support matters and M&A related to energy and infrastructure assets.
• Collaborating with Projects Group and international offices on cross‑border mandates.
• Building client relationships and contributing to business development in a growing practice.

Skills

Project finance experience

PQE 4–7

Job description

Senior Associate - Project Finance

Johannesburg

Exceptional by design. A career at the forefront of Structured Project Finance.

Join a market‑leading Structured Project Finance team where your work directly supports the delivery of some of the Africa and UK’s largest and most innovative energy and infrastructure projects. Pinsent Masons is seeking a talented Associate (4–7 PQE) to join its Structured Project Finance Team in Johannesburg. This is an opportunity to develop specialist expertise in a strategic, high‑growth sector, working alongside leading practitioners on complex, high‑value transactions.

The Opportunity

You will be part of a highly regarded Projects Group advising on the development, financing and acquisition of energy and infrastructure assets across South Africa and internationally. The role offers exposure to premium clients, early responsibility and the chance to build deep sector knowledge within a collaborative and forward‑thinking environment.

At Pinsent Masons, your career is exceptional by design: intentionally structured to support early responsibility, technical excellence and long‑term progression. You will be embedded in a market‑leading team acting on flagship transactions across renewable energy, infrastructure and low‑carbon projects, whilst developing strong client relationships and benefiting from first‑class training and development.

What You’ll Do

• Advising on project financings, refinancings and acquisition financings across the energy and infrastructure sectors, including renewables, battery storage, biogas, transport, utilities and telecommunications
• Supporting transactions from early‑stage term sheets and lender RFPs through to financial close and post‑completion matters
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating finance and project documentation, working closely with sponsors, lenders and advisers
• Advising on operational support matters and M&A activity relating to energy and infrastructure assets
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Projects Group and international offices on cross‑border mandates
• Building strong client relationships and contributing to business development within a growing and dynamic practice

About The Team

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s finance and projects team, led by Apicksha Patel, guides clients through the full lifecycle of infrastructure and energy projects. Apicksha specialises in infrastructure and energy finance, especially in the transport, renewables, healthcare, education, and accommodation sectors, while Emma advises public and private sector clients on infrastructure development projects, offtake agreements, and power procurement. Themba Chauke and Rob Morson also stand out for their contributions.

• IFC
• Sola
• Pele
• Voltalia
• BIINatWest
• Lloyds Banking Group
• KfW
• Zenobe Energy

The team is known for its technical excellence, collaborative culture and market‑leading expertise in structured project finance.

Why Pinsent Masons

• High-quality, intellectually stimulating work with market leading clients
• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative culture where people can thrive
• Clear and transparent opportunities for development and progression
• Flexible and agile working

Our Commitment

We are committed to recruiting and retaining the best talent and building an inclusive, fair and supportive workplace. We value the strength that comes from different experiences and strive to create an environment where everyone feels they belong.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates across jurisdictions.

If you require reasonable adjustments, we will work with you to identify a suitable approach.