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Listing reference: nef_000144
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 5 November 2025
Position Summary
Industry: Financial Services
Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance, Stockbroking
Location: Bloemfontein
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Yes
Introduction
The Regional Manager will act as a senior investment professional leading the implementation of the National Empowerment Fund’s (NEF) mandate in the Free State province. This role involves managing the regional office operations while directly originating, assessing, structuring, and implementing investment transactions. The ideal candidate is a strong dealmaker with excellent financial modeling and investment analysis skills. They should also be able to represent the NEF in stakeholder forums, build strategic partnerships, and drive business development to meet the NEF’s developmental and investment key performance indicators (KPIs). This position is perfect for an experienced Investment Associate or Senior Investment Associate who can work independently, manage the full investment process from start to finish, and lead a small regional team, even without prior formal management experience.
Job Description
1. Deal Origination and Investment Execution
- Identify, originate, and structure deals that are commercially viable and aligned with the NEF’s mandate in the Free State.
- Assess new applications to check if they are commercially viable and meet the NEF’s investment criteria.
- Prepare investment proposals, including financial models, risk analysis, and reasons for the investment.
- Present deals to the NEF’s Investment and Credit Committees for approval.
- Ensure approved transactions are implemented and funds are disbursed on time, within set turnaround periods.
- Work with head office teams to address questions on credit risk and legal structuring.
- Oversee the post-approval process and hand over to the Post Investment team for ongoing monitoring.
2. Pipeline Development and Business Growth
- Actively generate a steady flow of deals in the province through engaging stakeholders, outreach efforts, and business development activities.
- Collaborate with municipalities, provincial departments, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and business chambers to source viable projects.
- Find investment opportunities that support job creation and economic growth in the province.
- Maintain a strong, high-quality pipeline of deals that supports the NEF’s annual investment and empowerment targets.
3. Financial Analysis and Modeling
- Build solid financial models to evaluate the feasibility, profitability, and ability to repay of projects.
- Perform sensitivity and scenario analyses to help with decision-making.
- Assist in valuing projects, setting prices, and structuring funding packages, which may include debt, equity, or blended instruments.
- Provide both quantitative and qualitative information for investment reports and presentations.
4. Regional Leadership and Office Management
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Free State Regional Office and ensure compliance with all NEF policies.
- Guide and mentor the regional analyst and administrator.
- Ensure high-quality screening of deals, timely reporting, and effective communication with clients.
- Manage resources and workflows to meet turnaround time targets and the organization’s KPIs.
- Build a results-focused, collaborative team culture in the region that aligns with the NEF’s core values.
5. Stakeholder Management and Representation
- Represent the NEF at provincial stakeholder meetings, investment forums, and development partnerships.
- Work with provincial government, business associations, and local enterprises to promote the NEF’s offerings.
- Ensure provincial initiatives align with the NEF’s strategic priorities and transformation goals.
- Increase the NEF’s visibility through outreach programs, workshops for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and public engagements.
Minimum Requirements
Experience / Skills Required
- At least 5 years of experience in investment analysis, deal structuring, or corporate finance.
- Proven experience in funding SMEs, venture capital, or development finance.
- Strong knowledge of financial modeling, valuation, and credit risk analysis.
- Experience with legal and transaction documents, such as Shareholders Agreements and Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPAs).
- Demonstrated ability to originate and close transactions on your own.
- Experience working with government and development stakeholders is preferred.
Qualification Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Investment Management, or a related field.
- A postgraduate qualification (such as Honours, CFA Level 1, or MBA) is an advantage.
Personal Attributes / Behaviours / Attitudes
- Strong skills in deal-making and analysis.
- Advanced proficiency in financial modeling and Excel.
- Excellent ability in business writing and presentations.
- Capacity to balance developmental goals with commercial needs.
- Good judgment, integrity, and decision-making skills.
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation abilities.
- Ability to lead and motivate a small team.
- Professional maturity and self-motivation.
- Integrity and ethical behavior.
- Focused on results and able to meet deadlines.
- Strategic and proactive thinking.
- Client-centered with a developmental approach.
- Collaborative and adaptable.
- Always represent the NEF professionally.
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We wish you all the best with your application.