The successful candidate will be expected to lead multiple engagements, manage and coach junior team members (who in turn are responsible for day-to-day transaction execution, financial modelling and analysis), build and strengthen client relationships, and provide high-quality advice to clients. The role requires a high degree of independence, strong technical capability and a genuine interest in the infrastructure sector.
Qualifications / Certifications required:
CA(SA), CFA, MBA, or finance-related bachelor's degree
Financial modelling certification beneficial
Experience required:
6-10 years project finance experience
Strong experience in project finance advisory, infrastructure transactions, debt raising, refinancing and/or PPP transactions
Experience across energy, water, and transport sectors
Proven experience in leading transaction workstreams and managing client relationships
Experience in mentoring and supervising junior team members
Responsibilities of role:
The successful candidate will have an execution-focused project finance dealmaker role within the team and be responsible for the following activities on a day-to-day basis:
Transaction Leadership and Project Management
Lead multiple project finance and infrastructure engagements simultaneously, ensuring delivery against timelines, quality standards and commercial objectives;
Take ownership of transaction execution across financing, refinancing, buy-side, sell-side and strategic advisory mandates;
Manage multidisciplinary teams, including clients, lenders, investors, legal advisers, technical advisers, model auditors and other stakeholders;
Oversee project plans, workstreams, deliverables and internal coordination to ensure efficient execution; and
Provide strategic advice to clients throughout transaction processes.
Financial Modelling
Build and oversee the development, review and enhancement of complex financial models in line with market best practice;
Review the translation of project agreements, financing terms and commercial assumptions into robust financial models;
Evaluate scenarios, sensitivities and key risk considerations to support client decision-making;
Oversee interactions with model auditors and ensure structural integrity, tax and accounting compliance; and
Provide quality reviews on modelling outputs and transaction analyses prepared by junior team members.
Project Finance
Advise clients on limited recourse funding structures and bankability considerations;
Support and lead financing processes for infrastructure projects, including debt raising, lender engagement and negotiation support;
Support and lead the preparation of relevant marketing materials including information memoranda and teasers, as well as lender presentations and other financing materials;
Support negotiation of term sheets, finance documents and key commercial agreements;
Demonstrate strong knowledge of infrastructure sectors and contribute to development of sector specialisation; and
Advise on public-private partnerships and related infrastructure procurement structures / processes where relevant.
Infrastructure mergers and acquisitions
Lead the preparation and review of key transaction documentation, including teasers, information memoranda, management presentations, bid documentation and investment committee papers;
Support clients on acquisition, disposal and strategic review mandates in the infrastructure sector; and
Manage due diligence processes and coordinate input from relevant internal and external stakeholders.
Client relationships and business development
Lead or contribute significantly to proposal development, pricing discussions and internal approval processes;
Support origination efforts, including identifying prospects, developing client ideas and participating in pitches, and evaluating opportunities with the senior team members; and
Build and maintain strong client relationships and act as a trusted day-to-day adviser.
Team Contribution
Coach, mentor and develop associates and managers within the team;
Review work prepared by junior team members and provide clear, constructive feedback; and
Contribute to team capability building, knowledge sharing and a high-performance team culture.
Skill sets required:
Advanced Excel skills;
Financial modelling skills;
Awareness of AI capabilities and a drive for improving efficiency;
Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills;
Problem solving capabilities;
Demonstrated transaction execution skills;
Attention to detail and an ability to perform critical self-review of outputs;
A desire to build on commercial and industry knowledge;
Negotiation skills;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential, including the ability to write succinct, well-structured reports and client communications;
Passion for the development of South Africa and the African continent;
A well-organised and self-directed individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organisation;
Proven ability to multitask and ensure effective delivery of the priorities to meet targets and objectives (strong time management skills);
Ability to run independently with projects when necessary;
Project and client management skill;
Conflict management skill;
Thrive in an unstructured environment where each day is different;
A highly motivated, confident individual with presence;
Highly rated with strong academic credentials; and
A proactive and dynamic team player, who works effectively under pressure.