Head of Regions
Listing reference: nef_000187
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 6 August 2026
Position summary
Industry: Financial Services
Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance. Stockbroking
Location: Sandton
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Yes
Introduction
To provide a dedicated leadership, coordination and technical oversight to Regional Managers. The role will strengthen regional investment performance, improve the quality and consistency of deal origination and structuring, as well as ensure alignment of regional operations with the NEF's strategic objectives, organisational KPIs and developmental mandate.
Job description
Strategic Leadership of Regional Operations
- Provide strategic leadership to all Regional Offices.
✓ Develop and implement regional investment strategies aligned to:- NEF Strategic Plan
- Annual Performance Plan (APP)
- Organisational KPIs
- Shareholder priorities
- Government industrial policy transformation objectives
- Drive consistent implementation of investment strategy across all Regional Offices
- Develop regional performance improvement initiatives
- Lead organisational change across Regional Offices.
Regional Investment Growth
- Drive sustainable investment growth across all provinces
✓ Ensure sufficient and quality deal flow to meet annual investment targets.
✓ Monitor pipeline conversion rates and timelines.
✓ Identify underperforming regions and implement corrective interventions.
✓ Develop regional business development strategies.
✓ Ensure equitable distribution of investments nationally.
✓ Promote investment in rural areas, townships, secondary cities and economically underdeveloped districts.
Business Development
- Provide leadership on regional business development.
✓ Develop strategic partnerships with Provincial Governments, Municipalities, DFIs, Industry Associations, Business Chambers, Incubators and Enterprise Development programmes
✓ Promote NEF products nationally.
✓ Identify emerging investment opportunities.
✓ Develop regional sector strategies.
Technical Investment Support
- Provide technical guidance to Regional Managers throughout the investment process
✓ Support deal origination, deal structuring, funding solutions, financial modelling, transaction packaging, pricing as well as risk identification and mitigation
✓ Provide technical oversight on transactions and assist on complex transactions.
✓ Support early review committees.
✓ Mentor Regional Investment Associates and Analysts.
Quality Assurance
- Ensure investment reports submitted by Regional Offices meet NEF standards.
✓ Review commercial analysis, developmental impact, financial assumptions and financial implications as well as funding structures and investment recommendations.
✓ Improve investment quality and turnaround times.
✓ Reduce rework by Funds.
✓ Ensure consistency of investment recommendations nationally.
Regional Pipeline Management
- Monitor pipeline health nationally.
✓ Review pipeline ageing, conversion ratios, approval rates, decline trends and turnaround times.
✓ Implement interventions where required.
✓ Ensure regional targets are achieved.
Developmental Impact
- Ensure investments maximise the employment creation, black ownership, women ownership, youth ownership, people living with disabilities, rural development, township economy, localisation and industrialisation.
- Promote investments that deliver measurable socio-economic impact.
- Ensure alignment with national transformation priorities.
Stakeholder Management
- Maintain relationships with Provincial MECs, Municipalities, Development Agencies, Provincial Economic
Departments, Business Organisations and Industry Associations. - Represent NEF nationally.
- Resolve regional escalations.
Performance Management
- Manage Regional Managers
- Monitor performance and drive accountability.
- Develop regional capability.
- Support succession planning.
- Ensure alignment of regional KPIs with organisational objectives.
Investment Process Improvement
- Drive implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, investment governance, technology adoption, AI-enabled screening, CRM improvements and pipeline management systems.
- Ensure standardised investment practices nationally.
Governance and Risk
- Ensure regional compliance with Investment Policies, Delegation of Authority, Risk and Governance framework, compliance requirements, monitor audit findings and implement corrective actions.
Minimum requirements
Experience / Skills Required
- Minimum 10 years investment experience with at least 5 years in senior management;
- In depth working experience in Development Finance, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Commercial Banking and Project Finance fields;
- Extensive experience in transaction structuring, investment committee presentations, financial modelling, business development, portfolio management, regional management, stakeholder engagement and leadership;
- Solid expertise managing geographically dispersed teams.
Qualification Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Engineering, Commerce Investment Management or related field.
- Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA, CA(SA), CFA, Master’s) is advantageous.
Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes
Technical Competencies
- Investment Structuring
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Modelling
- Commercial Analysis
- Risk Assessment
- Development Finance
- Portfolio Management
- Business Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Negotiation
- Performance Management
- Project Management
Behavioural Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Visionary Thinking
- Decision Making
- Influencing
- Relationship Building
- Problem Solving
- Innovation
- Change Leadership
- Customer Orientation
- Results Orientation
- Integrity