Overview

A leading international energy management business is expanding its footprint in South Africa and requires a Senior Commercial & Trading Lead to drive its commercial strategy across renewable and market-based energy solutions. The role exists to convert a strong renewable upstream pipeline into commercial offtake agreements and position the organisation for participation in upcoming competitive trading environments such as SAWEM and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). This is a senior, strategic position shaping commercial outreach, pricing frameworks, and trading readiness in a developing market.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement the commercial strategy to meet decarbonisation and energy-supply objectives for private offtakers across Southern Africa.
• Lead end-to-end customer engagement, including account management, structuring proposals, commercial modelling, and closing complex contractual agreements.
• Prepare the business for participation in SAWEM (South African Wholesale Electricity Market) and trading activities within the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
• Build the commercial, pricing, and risk-management frameworks required for market entry, including processes, models, governance, and controls.
• Structure commercial offers aligned with renewable project pipelines, ensuring pricing accuracy, portfolio optimisation, and commercially viable risk positions.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Finance, Legal, and Trading teams to align commercial plans with medium-term business forecasts and implementation plans.
• Engage with regulators, system operators, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with market rules and trading requirements.
• Provide commercial leadership across cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of customer and trading strategies.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree in business, economics, finance, engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in commercial, trading, or structured-energy roles within renewable energy, energy management, or commodities.
• Proven experience in financial modelling, pricing, and structuring complex commercial or trading transactions.
• Strong understanding of energy markets, risk management, and commercial contracting.
• Experience engaging with regulators, utilities, or market operators.
• Demonstrated ability to manage key accounts and close high-value commercial agreements.
• Exposure to SAWEM/SAPP or similar wholesale electricity market frameworks is advantageous.

What We Offer

• Exposure to a global energy management environment with direct involvement in cross-border trading frameworks and evolving market structures (including SAWEM and SAPP).
• The chance to lead commercial readiness for wholesale market participation and shape how private offtakers engage with renewable energy.
• Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, offering exposure to mature energy trading markets and global expertise.
• Competitive remuneration with benefits aligned to a multinational energy business.