Associate Principal: Power & Renewables Finance

Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking seeks an Associate Principal for Power & Renewables Finance in Sandton, South Africa. The role involves executing complex transactions related to energy projects, focusing on project and equity finance. Responsibilities include origination, structuring, technical due diligence, and maintaining relationships with industry stakeholders. Candidates should have a relevant engineering degree and over 6 years of project finance experience.
Job Purpose

To assist in executing and implementing complex transactions with targeted clients of the bank related to lending and other structured transactions (non-vanilla lending), with a focus on energy projects requiring technical understanding of electrical systems and renewable energy solutions.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist with the origination, structuring and execution of project finance transactions in the energy sector, with a focus on short-term and long-term debt solutions.

• Assist with the origination, structuring and execution of equity finance solutions.

• Being a sector expert by keeping up with market trends, which may involve attending webinars and conferences as required.

• Support effective execution of transactions by applying your skills; technical knowledge, modelling, negotiating, researching and analysing investment proposals.

• Provide specialist technical expertise and act as a centre of excellence for the Power and Renewables Finance Team.

• Provide strategic insight on the development of renewable energy technologies and energy policy (IRP, TDP, Eskom Cost Recovery Mechanisms, Budget Quote processes etc.).

• Take the lead on the Technical Due Diligence workstream and risk mitigation strategies, working closely with internal teams and Lenders’ advisors to negotiate Project Documents (PPA, EPC, O&M, MSA etc.).

• Take ownership of and actively maintain relationships with LTAs, OEMs and key Industry Bodies (Eskom, IPPO, SAPVIA, SAWEA etc.).

• Assist in identifying new investment opportunities and pitching to clients.

• Assist with the preparation of pricing and credit papers (applications, memos, updates, reviews) and presenting to committees. Ensure completion of high-quality credit papers within specified timelines by planning, scheduling, researching & gathering information, managing own time, reviewing own work and preparing in advance.

• Assist with the review of legal documents to ensure robust contracts and deal documentation and the incorporation of all commercial terms in the legal documents.

• Support the building and maintaining of external stakeholder relationships by networking, attending conferences, maintaining regular contact and ongoing communication, and site visits.

• Meet performance targets by executing transactions in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

• Build and maintain internal stakeholder relationships by liaising and collaborating with relevant stakeholders and facilitating the sign-off of relevant transactions.

• Support the achievement of the business strategy, objectives and values by reviewing Nedbank and Business Unit Plan.

• Sharing knowledge and industry trends within the team and relevant stakeholders during formal and informal interaction.

• Identify training courses and career progression for self through input and feedback from management.

• Ensure all personal development plan activities are completed within specified timeframe.

Preferred Qualification

• Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Renewable Energy Engineering or other relevant Engineering qualification

Minimum Experience Level

• 6+ years of proven Project Finance experience, ideally at an Investment Bank, DFI, Advisor, Institutional Investor, IPP or Developer

Technical / Professional Knowledge

• Firm understanding of the South African and African renewable energy market

• Key technical principles including power systems such Solar PV, Wind, Gas, BESS, Transmission

• Microsoft Office

• Nedbank culture and values

• Nedbank policies and procedures

• Nedbank vision and strategy

• Principles of financial management

• Principles of project management

• Relevant regulatory knowledge

• Relevant software and systems knowledge

• Research methodology

• Decision-making process

Behavioural Competencies

• Building Partnerships

• Collaborating

• Customer Focus

• Initiating Action

• Work Standards

• Managing Work

• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills