MANAGING DIRECTOR - INVESTMENT AND COMMERCIALISATION

Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape

Our client, a leading investment and commercialisation company operating within the higher education sector, is seeking to appoint an exceptional Managing Director to provide strategic leadership and drive sustainable commercial growth.

The organisation exists to unlock and maximise value from strategic assets, infrastructure, innovation, intellectual property and commercial partnerships by connecting the public and private sectors through investment, enterprise development and strategic collaboration.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the successful candidate will lead the organisation's commercial strategy, identify new investment opportunities, attract strategic partners and oversee the development of commercially sustainable ventures that generate long-term value and economic impact.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished executive who has successfully operated within complex stakeholder environments and understands how to leverage strategic assets, infrastructure and partnerships to stimulate investment, innovation and economic development.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance, Economics, Property Development, Engineering, Built Environment, Law or a related field.

• A minimum of 10 years' executive leadership experience with responsibility for strategic growth, commercial operations and organisational performance.

• Demonstrated success in driving business growth, investment attraction, infrastructure development, commercial partnerships or economic development initiatives.

• Experience reporting to a Board of Directors and leading multidisciplinary executive teams.

• Proven experience within one or more of the following sectors:

  • Investment Management

  • Infrastructure Development

  • Property Development

  • Economic Development

  • Special Economic Zones (SEZs) or Industrial Development Zones (IDZs)

  • Development Finance Institutions

  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

  • Corporate Finance

  • Commercial Real Estate

  • Innovation and Technology Commercialisation

  • Venture Capital or Private Equity

  • Business Development or Investment Promotion

• Experience working across both the public and private sectors will be highly advantageous.

• Experience within higher education, research institutions, technology transfer or university commercialisation environments will be considered a distinct advantage but is not essential.

• National and international experience in stakeholder engagement, investment attraction and strategic partnership development will be highly advantageous.

Core Competencies / Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a commercially astute executive with a strong entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to identify opportunities where public purpose and private investment intersect.

They will have a demonstrated ability to:

• Attract investment and unlock commercial opportunities.

• Develop strategic partnerships across government, industry and the private sector.

• Lead complex infrastructure, property or economic development initiatives.

• Identify innovative business models that generate sustainable revenue.

• Navigate complex stakeholder environments while balancing commercial objectives with broader developmental goals.

• Build high-performing organisations that deliver measurable economic and social impact.

Should you wish to be considered for this role, apply directly to the job advertisement link and upload your updated resume. Should you not receive feedback within 2 weeks of application, kindly consider your application unsuccessful at this time.