Financial Modelling Manager

The Financial Modelling Manager will centralise and lead SolarAfrica’s financial modelling capability, bringing together modellers currently embedded across different departments under coordinated leadership, priorities, standards and governance. The role will manage, mentor and develop the modelling team, build consistent technical capability and best practice, and ensure that project finance, valuation and corporate portfolio models are accurate, robust, scalable, timely and fit for purpose.

Working with senior stakeholders, the Financial Modelling Manager will test assumptions, evaluate scenarios and forecasts, identify key risks and value drivers, and translate complex analysis into clear, decision-ready insights and recommendations that support SolarAfrica’s growth.

 Position of the job in the organisation:

The Financial Modelling Manager will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer.

Principal responsibilities:

• Centralise and lead SolarAfrica’s financial modelling capability, coordinating modellers embedded across departments while maintaining effective support to their respective business teams.
• Manage, mentor and develop the financial modelling team through clear priorities, regular reviews, coaching, development plans and the sharing of technical and commercial best practice.
• Lead the development, review and timely delivery of complex project finance, valuation and corporate portfolio models, ensuring they are accurate, robust, scalable, auditable and fit for purpose.
• Establish and maintain common modelling standards, governance frameworks, documented review controls, quality assurance processes and model ownership across the business.
• Provide senior technical and commercial challenge by testing assumptions, assessing business cases and identifying risks, opportunities and value drivers that may affect investment, funding and strategic decisions.
• Lead scenario analysis, forecasting, valuations and strategic financial assessments to evaluate investment opportunities, funding structures, portfolio performance and growth initiatives.
• Partner with executives and senior stakeholders to define analytical requirements, prioritise modelling capacity and translate complex outputs into clear, timely, decision-ready insights and recommendations.
• Use appropriate systems, automation, data tools and emerging technologies to improve modelling efficiency, consistency, controls, knowledge sharing and the quality of outputs.
• Perform any other duties reasonably associated with the role.

Experience & Skills

• 6+ years' experience in financial modelling, corporate finance, investment analysis, valuations or project finance.
• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring financial modelling teams.
• Experience partnering with senior stakeholders and executive leadership teams.
• Experience within renewable energy, infrastructure, banking, financial advisory, consulting, project finance or investment environments would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of investment analysis and commercial decision-making.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Financial Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Economics, Engineering, Statistics, Data Science or a related field.
• CA(SA), CFA, Actuarial qualification or equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous.

Specific attributes:

• Strong commercial judgement and business insight.
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented.
• Confident challenging assumptions and influencing stakeholders.
• Clear communicator who simplifies complex information.
• Proactive, accountable and able to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative leader focused on continuous improvement.

Desirable attributes:

• Renewable energy, infrastructure, project finance or investment experience.
• Exposure to funding structures, valuations, scenario analysis or forecasting.
• Experience improving modelling standards, governance and QA.
• Comfortable using systems, automation or technology to improve outputs.
• Interest in scalable finance processes that support growth.

What Does Success Look Like?

By 3 Months

• I will have developed a strong understanding of SolarAfrica's business model, funding structures, projects and strategic growth plans.
• I will have built effective working relationships with Executive Leadership and key stakeholders across the business.
• I will have completed an assessment of the existing modelling function, team capability, model governance and identified key improvement opportunities.

By 6 Months

• I will have implemented enhancements to financial modelling standards, governance processes and quality assurance controls.
• I will be recognised as a trusted commercial partner who provides valuable insight into investment, funding and strategic decisions.
• I will have established development plans and coaching initiatives that improve the capability and commercial thinking of the modelling team.

By 12 Months

• I will have established a high-performing Financial Modelling function that delivers accurate, reliable and decision-ready analysis.
• I will have embedded consistent modelling standards and commercial best practices across the team.
• I will be a trusted advisor to the Executive Team, influencing strategic decisions and contributing to SolarAfrica's growth through robust financial analysis and commercial insight.

Core Values:

We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.

• We are passionate and proud of what we do.
• We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult.
• We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together.
• We are dependable and take accountability.
• No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.

We are currently only considering candidates based in South Africa with valid working rights. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications from outside the country at this time.