INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE (Private Equity | Infrastructure | Impact Investing | Deal Execution) – Jhb (Sandton) and / or Cape Town

Highly Competitive Package on Offer with Lucrative Bonus Structure!

Are you ready to shape South Africa’s infrastructure future?

You will serve as member of the private market infrastructure and development equity investment team with responsibility for deal origination, transaction execution and active portfolio management across our Client’s infrastructure fund vehicles.

The role reports directly to the Head of Private Equity and will work closely with the Managing Director, fund advisors and counterpart teams across the firm’s geographic footprint.

One would describe you as a professional who can operate with a high degree of skill and competency across the full transaction lifecycle, from pipeline development and investment thesis formulation, through financial modelling and due diligence coordination, to Investment Committee presentation and post-close value creation.

The successful candidate will combine deep infrastructure sector expertise with strong commercial instincts and the ability to engage credibly with concession grantors, co-investors, regulators and portfolio company boards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Deal Origination and Pipeline Development

• Proactively identify, evaluate and cultivate infrastructure equity investment opportunities across Southern and East Africa, with a particular focus on water, energy (including renewables), transport and digital infrastructure.
• Build and maintain relationships with concession grantors, development finance institutions, co-investment partners, government agencies and sector intermediaries to ensure a robust proprietary deal pipeline.
• Prepare preliminary investment screening memoranda and present pipeline opportunities to the Head of Private Equity and investment team for early-stage assessment.

Transaction Execution

• Contribute to the execution of infrastructure equity transactions from term sheet negotiation through to financial close, including coordination of legal, financial, technical and environmental due diligence workstreams.
• Build and own detailed financial models, including project-level DCF, equity return and IPEV-compliant valuation models as well as stress-test assumptions under multiple scenarios.
• Draft Investment Committee papers, IC teasers and internal approval memoranda to institutional standard, marshalling complex commercial and regulatory analysis into clear, decision-ready narratives.
• Structure transactions across multiple jurisdictions, applying knowledge of en commandite partnership structures, Section 12J/12BA incentives (where applicable) and cross-border holding structures (e.g. Mauritius LPs).

Portfolio Management and Value Creation

• Board observer on portfolio company boards, actively engaging in governance, strategic direction and performance monitoring.
• Prepare and present quarterly portfolio valuations in accordance with IPEV Guidelines, including fair value assessments, NAV computations and attribution analysis for investor reporting.
• Drive post-investment value creation initiatives, working with portfolio company management teams to optimise operational performance, capital structure and exit readiness.
• Monitor covenant compliance, concession agreement obligations, and regulatory developments affecting portfolio assets.

Fundraising and Investor Relations Support

• Support the preparation of Private Placement Memoranda (PPMs), investor Q&A documentation and fund marketing materials for new and successor fund vehicles.
• Participate in investor roadshows and due diligence meetings with institutional LPs, providing subject-matter expertise on deal-level and portfolio-level performance.
• Contribute to fund structuring discussions, including fee mechanics, waterfall design, GP commitment frameworks and alignment-of-interest provisions consistent with ILPA standards.

Team Leadership and Development

• Mentor and develop junior team members within the infrastructure equity team, providing guidance on financial analysis, investment writing and professional development.
• Foster a culture of rigorous analysis, intellectual honesty, and collaborative execution across the investment team.
• Represent the Company at industry conferences, policy forums, and sector working groups, contributing to the firm’s visibility and thought leadership in African infrastructure investment.

Qualification, Skills, Knowledge and Experience required

• MBA or CFA or CA (SA) designation is strongly preferred
• Postgraduate degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Law or a related field
• 5+ years’ relevant investment experience gained in infrastructure private equity or project finance or infrastructure advisory or development finance with demonstratable exposure to sub-Saharan African markets
• 5 Years+ solid and proven financial modelling experience gained is essential, including proficiency with project-level DCF analysis, leveraged buyout models and IPEV-compliant valuation methodologies
• ·       Proven track record of leading or materially contributing to the execution of infrastructure equity transactions from origination through financial close
• Strong knowledge of South African fund structuring conventions (en commandite partnerships, Regulation 28, FSR Act requirements) and familiarity with cross-border fund structures
• Exceptional analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — able to convey complex ideas clearly
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast paced, innovative, solutions orientated and deadline orientated environment
• Passion for infrastructure, sustainability, and driving meaningful outcomes through capital
• Advanced skills in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Willingness to travel

Advantageous

• Direct experience with water, energy, or transport infrastructure concession assets in Southern or East Africa.
• Existing relationships with DFIs (e.g. IFC, DBSA, AfDB, Proparco, FMO) and institutional investors active in African infrastructure.
• Familiarity with ILPA reporting standards, European-style waterfall mechanics, and GP/LP governance frameworks.
• Experience serving on the boards of infrastructure operating companies or SPVs.

To apply for this role, please forward an updated and detailed copy of your CV, with a motivational summary, to Nicole Spamers: nspamers@elev8recruitment.co.za AND Andrea Jones: ajones@elev8recruitment.co.za