Group Chief Operations Officer

Sandton, South Africa

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY: GROUP CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

CEF SOC

CEF is a Schedule 2 state owned diversified energy company reporting to the Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources. The Mandate of CEF is to contribute to the security of energy supply of South Africa and the Region through exploration, acquisition, development, marketing and strategic partnership. It is derived from the CEF Act (No 38 of 1977) and the Ministerial directives issued thereafter.

JOB PURPOSE:

The COO will lead the Group Business Development Executives. The incumbent will be responsible for designing, developing CEF Investment Economic Models that informs the Financial Investment. S/he will partner cross-functionally with subsidiaries and other strategic investors/stakeholders to deliver breakthrough analytical investments solutions to support a winning strategy in a continually changing business environment. The incumbent will be responsible for Business development, Growth, Capital Projects, improve operational efficiency, planning, project development and communication. They will take a lead role in further developing various initiatives in support of the CEF Group strategy and proactively positioning the organisation in the energy market as the African and global energy landscape continues to evolve. Lead the organisation improve its role in the respective Energy market sectors and generating the next wave of opportunities for the African market. It will be expected that the COO will establish a footprint for CEF in the renewables energy sector. This must be done while establishing community participation through rural development enterprises. Development of SMME is an integral part of the overall growth of the business.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Matric and honours degree (NQF8) in Engineering / Economics / Business Management / Business Administration / Finance / Leadership or relevant Business qualification.
15 years’ experience overseeing operations of which 5 to 8 years should be in a senior management role and 3 to 5 years in a similar capacity.
Business qualification/ project management or equivalent is requirement.
Master’s degree (NQF 9) in the relevant field will serve as an added advantage.

DESIRED ADDITIONAL SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES:

Track record as a project/ program manager in implementation of capital projects
In-depth experience and broad understanding of the Clean Energy Sector
A record of delivering results in complex project, country, and partner arrangements in Africa and Globally will serve as an advantage
Experience in leading business growth including M&A, Partnerships (JV’s / PPP) etc.
Experience and ability to interface with government, regulatory authorities and the energy sector nationally and internationally
In-depth knowledge of the Energy value chain commodities
In-depth knowledge and application of predictive economic models that informs business strategies and growth.
Financial and Investment Stewardship
Commercial and Financial Acumen
Programme Delivery, Digital and data enabled leadership
Energy Sector Leadership, Strategic Foresight and Systems thinking
Ethical governance, Stakeholder relations, Stakeholder Collaboration and influence
Reputation Management, People Leadership and Culture stewardship
Regulatory and Policy Navigation
Change management, Sustainability and Just transition integration
Technically proficient in statistics, economics in the energy fields and its commodities, and understanding of tools used in predictive investments modelling.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

Financial and Economic Modelling

Lead the development, enhancement and implementation of economic and other quantitative models to predict growth/loss and financial performance in energy demands at both country and global levels.
Oversee the development of Economic Modelling Frameworks to determine and predict changes in the energy industry, commodities demand trends that will inform the Group investment and growth strategies.
Oversee the development of economic models from conceptualization through data exploration, model selection, validation and implementation.
Develop Frameworks to analyse data that will provide cost benefit analysis and predict performance in order to assess business cases for investments.
Develops and provides subject matter expertise on the current and emerging predictive investment modelling techniques for various areas within the energy sector.
Monitors and understands emerging risks and global commodity trends that can affect business investments.
Research new internal and external market dynamics and impact on the investments.
Communicates technical subject matters clearly and concisely to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Educates and coaches peers and business partners to leverage predictive investment analysis and propose solutions.
In collaboration with the Group CEO and the Group CFO, develop short term and long-term plans that supports the Group Strategy to achieve growth and commercial Corporate annual and long-term strategic plans
Builds and manages a strong modelling analytics team.
Develops team reputation as highly skilled experts in the area of predictive modelling.
Frequently interacts with business partners to identify opportunities for predictive analytics to drive business strategy and results forward.

Business Development and Growth

Oversee the development and maintenance of the long-term strategy for the Energy markets in South Africa and the rest of Africa - ensuring that the business is looking ahead at the longer-term, strategic opportunities that will provide a step change for the Energy business.
Lead the business opportunities that will increase the CEF Group asset base through Mergers & Acquisitions; Joint Ventures; Private Public Partnerships and Special Purpose Vehicles.
Ensures the alignment of effective implementation of the CEF Group strategies to drive aggressive growth to achieve long-term sustainability .
Grow and increase market share of various CEF Group commodity portfolios (e.g. RE, Gas, Liquid Fuels, tankage and pipeline Infrastructure).
Advise the Group CEO and other Executives of commercial developments, market trends and economic environment that could affect future business locally and internationally.
Accountable for the development and delivery of an international growth strategy for the CEF Group by maintaining a consistent trajectory of growth, while avoiding obstacles that arise from a constantly shifting market.
Oversee the development of business concepts from incubation to maturity
Develop and implement strategies that will position the CEF Group to take advantage of current competitive information on a continuous basis, including competitive pricing, policy changes, product development, and marketing strategies.
Develop strategic asset position to achieve the strategic imperative of securing security of energy supply to the country.
Identifying and developing new capability (through technology, organic development, partnerships or acquisition)
Identify new business initiatives and expansion opportunities that align with the CEF Group’s business goals and strategic growth plans
Streamline the current CEF Group assets to ensure effective management and increased ROI
Advise the Group CEO and the Board on asset portfolio acquisition and divestment.

Planning (Commercial & Investment Optimisation)

Provide Return on Investment for all strategic high impact projects for the CEF Group
Lead the structuring of commercial deals
Develop and implement an international commodity trading function
Implement a centralized commodity trading function which will include international trading
Analyse market trends; keep an eye on competition and come up with new ways of staying ahead in the business.
Lead and optimise the CEF Group investment portfolio across the energy value chain (diversification);
Lead in the development and incubation of new energy solutions;
In liaison with the CEF CFO, develop effective allocation of Group capital resources to drive commercial and developmental objectives;
Establish operational processes / process improvement
Develop Growth Strategies that will lead to the Group having diversified income streams.
Lead the development and investments in latest technologies in mining, Liquid Fuels, Renewable Energy and Gas.

Project Management

Coordinate group capital projects
Monitor, evaluate and report on group capital projects
Develop execution strategies for capital projects
Negotiate commercial terms on capital projects
Develop governance model for business development
Oversee, monitor, and evaluate the operation's performance.
Direct the preparation of operating budgets and proposals for projects.
Oversee the execution of all projects, at various project phases to ensure that all activities are completed on time and within budget and with minimal disruption to the organization's day-to-day operations.
Overall responsibility for end-to-end operations by providing internal leadership, managing the people, budgets, and targets
Support execution of the projects from recruitment, building frameworks, vendor onboarding and overall ownership of the projects
Set, and monitor the performance of the respective subsidiaries against strategic targets in areas such as production and administration efficiency, cost control and sales revenue.

Communication

Support the Group CEO to develop and maintain sound working relationships with Heads of Subsidiaries and their Boards
Initiate, develop, build and sustain new stakeholder relationships through utilizing business links into industry and relevant countries
Establish network of stakeholders across the Energy Industry that will enable CEF Group to develop and foster relationships with industry and governmental stakeholders
Oversee the implementation of the CEF Group Brand Strategy to bolster Group’s value proposition and improving our brand image.
Oversee the execution of Socio-Economic investments that will drive the CEF Group’s Developmental Mandate in support of the broader National Development Plan (NDP) objectives, the Presidential Seven-Point Plan and other key government imperatives
Lead business government to government, business to government and SOE to SOE engagements in liaison with Group Communications and Marketing team
Develop and foster existing partnerships within the energy sector which contribute to and facilitate the delivery of the CEF Group mandate and facilitate innovation
Identify and develop new partnerships within the broader and international energy community to assist in the delivery of the CEF Group mandate
Ensure sound relationships with stakeholders across the board by developing stakeholder insight to CEF’s mandate and operations, designing mechanisms for delivering stakeholders’ needs and responding timeously and appropriately to stakeholders’ needs
Develop and implement programmes to enhance stakeholder and partner involvement in the evolution of the CEF Group to grow future capacity, optimise support for the CEF
Group and obtain feedback on the organisation’s efficiency and contribution.
Develop and maintain relationships with commercial and channel client segments and key decision makers locally and globally.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Oversee the development and implementation of a Group Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, system and processes.
Monitor and evaluate the execution of group projects and set metrics
Perform analysis and interpretation of Group performance results
Provide a dashboard for key stakeholders indicating the alignment of subsidiaries’
KPAs to individual subsidiary strategic plans and the Group Strategic plans
Regularly inform key stakeholders and make strategic recommendations to improve project performance.

Culture stewardship

Lead the transformation and change management initiatives by setting the “tone at the top” regarding organisational values, ethics and code of conduct.
Provide insight, assistance and leadership to managers and their subordinates in promoting a diversified, non- discriminatory and integrated workplace.
Promote diversity through planned activities aimed at building sensitivity and support for others
The ability to initiate and support the CEF Group transformation and change to implement new initiatives successfully and deliver on service delivery commitments
Ensure that all transformation agenda and targets of the organisation are met
Develop a culture of learning to deliver on the CEF Group mandate
Ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all staff members.

Publish date: 01 September 2026

Closing Date: 10 September 2026

NOTE: The successful candidate/s for the advertised position/s will be required to undergo personnel suitability checks, which includes, criminal records, citizenship, financial checks, qualifications and previous employment (Reference checks). It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that foreign qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority and the evaluation certificate is attached to the application on submission. If you do not hear from the CEF SOC three months after the closing date of the advertisement, consider your application unsuccessful. CEF SOC reserves the right not to fill this position. CEF SOC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and it is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment, especially in respect of race, gender and disability. This position will be filled in accordance with the CEF SOC Employment Equity Plan.

Department: Office of COO

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