ESD and Third-Party Specialist | Sandton | Permanent

ESD and Third-Party Specialist | Sandton | Permanent

Drive strategic funding partnerships that expand access to finance and create meaningful economic impact. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of capital raising, development finance and stakeholder engagement.

The successful candidate will support the growth and management of third-party funding partnerships, identifying new funding opportunities, cultivating relationships with capital providers and developing compelling funding proposals. The role will also support the effective structuring and management of third-party funds to achieve both financial and developmental objectives.

Working across internal and external stakeholders, the role will contribute to expanding access to finance for black-owned enterprises, supporting women and youth participation, creating employment opportunities and strengthening township and rural economies.

This is a strategic stakeholder-facing position requiring strong commercial judgement, financial acumen and the ability to build trusted relationships with banks, corporates, government institutions and other capital providers.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute strategies to raise capital from banks, private equity firms, venture capitalists, government grants and other funding sources.

• Identify potential funding sources and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities.

• Develop and present compelling funding proposals tailored to potential funders.

• Build and maintain relationships with capital providers and strategic stakeholders.

• Monitor market trends, funding sources and emerging financial opportunities.

• Identify networking and sector opportunities across the public and private sectors.

• Maintain regular communication with funders and provide updates on performance and utilisation of funds.

• Manage funder queries, meetings and partnership requirements.

• Prepare reports in line with agreed reporting metrics and timelines.

• Provide updates to relevant committees on partnership progress.

• Set and monitor targets for capital raised, deal closure and relationship management.

• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior management.

• Support the development of tools to monitor partnerships and stakeholder relationships.

• Assist in evaluating the outcomes and effectiveness of partnerships.

• Support co-funding partnerships that expand access to finance for black-owned enterprises.

• Assist with optimising blended finance structures and pricing.

• Support effective fund structuring, approval, disbursement and portfolio management.

• Assist in balancing financial and developmental returns across third-party programmes.

• Build and maintain relationships with professional advisors, consultants and other strategic partners.

• Support service excellence and strengthen stakeholder relationships nationally.

• Assist with B-BBEE audit preparation and internal scoring.

• Provide guidance on B-BBEE compliance queries.

• Support B-BBEE policy formulation and implementation.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics or a related field.

• At least 5 years’ experience in funds or funding partnerships.

• Strong knowledge of valuation techniques and risk analysis.

• Experience in development-related issues.

• Proven ability to develop persuasive funding proposals and deliver impactful presentations.

• Strong negotiation skills and an understanding of legal and contractual aspects of fundraising and deal structuring.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Experience engaging senior officials within banks, corporates and government.

• Strong financial acumen and analytical capabilities.

• Experience working in a high-level, collaborative and culturally diverse environment.

• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities effectively.

• Strong knowledge of B-BBEE verification and rating services.

• Extensive knowledge of the B-BBEE Act, Codes of Good Practice, sector charters and PPPFA.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong planning, organisational and relationship-building capabilities.

• A postgraduate qualification in Finance or Economics, CA(SA) or CFA would be advantageous.

What Success Looks Like

• A strong and sustainable pipeline of third-party funding opportunities.

• Increased capital raised through strategic funding partnerships.

• Effective fund structuring and portfolio management.

• Strong, long-term relationships with capital providers.

• Timely and accurate funder reporting.

• Increased use of blended finance and customised funding solutions.

• Effective deployment of third-party funds against agreed financial and developmental objectives.

• Strong stakeholder engagement across the public and private sectors.

• Meaningful contribution to economic empowerment, job creation and inclusive economic development.

• Continued compliance with B-BBEE and relevant regulatory requirements.