Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

Job Summary: The Chief Investment & Finance Officer (CIFO) reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serves as the CEO's principal deputy on all investment and financial matters. The role combines strategic investment management with corporate finance leadership and is responsible for maximizing shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation, financial stewardship, and execution of the Company's investment strategy.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Investment Management

• Investment Strategy
  • Develop, maintain, and monitor the Company's long-term investment strategy, ensuring alignment with the Board-approved strategic plan.
  • Establish measurable investment objectives and report progress against approved targets.
  • Monitor market, industry, and macroeconomic developments to identify opportunities and emerging risks.
• Portfolio Management
  • Prepare quarterly investment reports covering: Performance against approved targets. Financial performance and valuation. Approved key risk indicators. Cash flow performance. Return on investment. Strategic positioning. Growth potential (BCG Growth-Share Matrix). Value enhancement and corrective action recommendations.
• Investment Pipeline
  • Maintain a structured pipeline of investment opportunities.
  • Provide quarterly updates on opportunities reviewed, investment rationale, due diligence outcomes, rejected opportunities, and recommendations for shortlisted investments.
• Strategic Investments
  • Lead the execution and monitoring of up to three major strategic investments.
  • Ensure investments are expected to generate returns above the Company's weighted average cost of capital over an average five-year period.
  • Develop and monitor performance improvement plans with the ENRC, where required.
• Portfolio Review
  • Conduct periodic reviews of all investments.
  • For investments projected to generate returns below 10% p.a. over five years, develop recovery plans or recommend divestment/exit strategies within five years.
• Greenfield & Brownfield Investments
  • Maintain at least one active Greenfield or Brownfield investment opportunity.
  • Develop business cases, implementation plans, value creation plans, and exit strategies before approval.
  • Ensure an expected investment exit horizon of approximately five years.
• Finance Leadership
  • Financial Planning & Analysis
    • Lead annual budgeting, long-term financial planning, rolling forecasts, and scenario analysis across portfolio companies.
    • Monitor performance against budgets and recommend corrective actions.
  • Treasury & Cash Flow Management
    • Monitor forward-looking cash flows and identify funding gaps proactively.
    • Present financing and liquidity management strategies to the ENRC.
    • Optimize capital allocation across the portfolio.
  • Financial Reporting
    • Ensure timely preparation of quarterly Board reports and annual statutory financial statements.
    • Ensure compliance with IFRS, regulatory requirements, and corporate governance standards.
  • Financial Controls & Governance
    • Maintain effective internal controls and strengthen financial governance.
    • Support internal and external audits.
    • Ensure compliance with applicable financial regulations.
  • Commercial & Contract Review
    • Review significant commercial contracts and investment agreements.
    • Assess financial implications and risks prior to execution.
    • Support negotiations of strategic commercial arrangements.
  • Banking & Financing
    • Manage relationships with banks, lenders, and financial institutions.
    • Lead debt financing, refinancing, and capital-raising activities.
    • Negotiate financing facilities and optimize borrowing costs.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or Engineering.
• CFA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CA, or equivalent internationally recognized professional qualification.
• MBA or Master's degree in Finance, Investment, or Business Administration. (Preferred)
• Mechanical or Industrial Engineering qualification in addition to finance credentials. (Preferred)
• Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience, including 3-5 years in a senior executive leadership role.
• Experience within an investment company, sovereign wealth fund, private equity firm, investment holding company, or diversified industrial group.
• Proven experience in investment portfolio evaluation and management.
• Experience leading mergers, acquisitions, and divestments.
• Strong expertise in corporate finance, valuation, financial modelling, and capital allocation.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors and Board Committees.
• Experience within industrial manufacturing businesses is highly desirable.