About the Client
A leading pan-African renewable energy platform focused on the development, ownership, and operation of clean energy assets across sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation delivers reliable, cost-effective power solutions to commercial and industrial clients, utilities, and public sector partners.
With a strong footprint in Southern Africa, the business is expanding its pipeline of utility-scale renewable energy and battery energy storage (BESS) projects, while positioning itself for participation in emerging wholesale electricity markets, including SAWEM and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
Role Purpose
The client is seeking a commercially driven and experienced professional to lead the origination and development of renewable energy and BESS projects across Southern Africa.
This role is responsible for building and executing a pipeline of bankable, investment-ready projects, leading transactions from early-stage opportunity identification through to financial close. The position plays a key role in the organisation's growth strategy and requires strong expertise in deal origination, project structuring, and stakeholder management.
This is a strategic development role focused on project creation and execution, not a sales function.
Key Responsibilities
Project Origination & Pipeline Development
Identify, originate, and develop viable renewable energy and BESS opportunities
Lead projects from greenfield stage through to financial close
Secure land, grid access, and all required development rights
Build and maintain a strong pipeline of investment-grade opportunities
Transaction Execution
Own transactions from origination through to financial close
Lead Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiations with private and public offtakers
Coordinate and manage due diligence processes, lender mandates, and investment committee submissions
Support financial structuring aligned with project finance requirements
Stakeholder & Relationship Management
Establish and manage relationships with:
Offtakers (C&I and utilities)
Lenders, DFIs, and funding partners
Government and regulatory authorities
Strategic partners and developers
Represent the organisation in key negotiations and external engagements
Market Strategy & Commercial Insight
Monitor developments in:
South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM)
Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)
Support entry into electricity trading and cross-border markets
Identify and evaluate M&A and project acquisition opportunities
Project Development Coordination
Coordinate across legal, technical, and financial workstreams
Ensure projects achieve bankability in line with lender requirements
Manage development timelines, risks, and key milestones
Minimum Requirements
Minimum 3+ years' experience in renewable energy project development
Proven experience in:
Financial close and/or PPA negotiation (non-negotiable)
Utility-scale renewable energy projects (non-negotiable)
Degree in Finance, Engineering, Law, or a related field
Strong understanding of the South African renewable energy project finance framework
Willingness to travel across Southern Africa (including Namibia, Botswana, eSwatini, and Zambia)
Key Competencies
Strong commercial acumen and deal origination capability
Advanced negotiation and transaction management skills
Strategic thinker with strong market awareness
Ability to operate independently in a high-accountability role
Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management
