Chief Executive: TNPA at Transnet

Position Purpose

• The Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) main function is to own, manage, control and administer South Africa’s ports to ensure their efficient and economic functioning. At the core of the mandate is to plan, provide, maintain, develop, regulate, control, and improve port infrastructure for the benefit of the economy, maintaining the sustainability of the ports through robust business plans and as directed by the National Ports Act of 2005. TNPA must regulate efficient services across client segments (containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, break-bulk, automotives, gas, cruise liners), act as landlord for the ports system, champion operational excellence, pioneer digital innovation, and mitigate climate risks. By enabling year-on-year traffic increase, the mandate is to unlock TNPA’s potential as a resilient gateway for Sub-Saharan trade, attracting investors to ensure that South Africa’s ports are an enabler of national economic growth.
• The Chief Executive (CE) of TNPA is a visionary team leader steering South Africa’s national ports system—comprising eight commercial ports—through a transformative era. In alignment with the National Ports Act, the CE leads ethical and innovative management to mitigate risks and reclaim global competitiveness, driving TNPA’s corporatisation from being a Transnet division to becoming an autonomous SOC Ltd company, fostering private sector participation. Reporting to the Board and Group COO, the CE will deliver world-class efficiency, sustainability, and stakeholder value. 
• The TNPA is made up of a portfolio of 8 ports located along the coastline, the incumbent will have to maintain adequate presence across operational areas of TNPA. 

Position Outputs

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND PLANNING (BOLD VISIONARY):

• Leading the strategic and integrated planning of the South African ports system, driving sustainability and efficiency through investment in people, technology, and infrastructure.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (FINANCIAL ACUMEN):

• Directing financial performance, ensuring sustainability and compliance with regulations.

OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT (DECISIVE OPERATOR):

• Overseeing all ports services, facilities, and resources, including cargo and cruise operations, real estate, and infrastructure.
• Driving operational excellence, encompassing a culture of continuous improvement in safety, quality, and cost of operations.

STAKEHOLDER AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (EMPATHETIC COLLABORATOR):

• Building and maintaining constructive relationships with government, regulators, the private sector, Transnet divisions, labour, and port communities, to advance the effective performance of the ports system.

GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE (ETHICAL GUARDIAN):

• Ensuring adherence to all applicable laws and regulations (including financial, labour, environmental, safety, security, and maritime), promoting ethical behaviour.
• Working with the Board to ensure sound corporate governance.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP (SUSTAINABLE INNOVATOR):

• Promoting sustainable practices in the ports to reduce environmental impacts on each port, adjacent communities, and protected habitats.
• Leading measures and investments to mitigate the impact of climate change, and to adapt port infrastructure to protect port operations from extreme weather events.
• Ensuring that TNPA’s corporate social investments address the needs of port communities.

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (ADAPTIVE TRAILBLAZER):

• Establishing TNPA’s vision for digital transformation, including smart port technologies, cyber security, and automation.
• Fostering a culture of innovation, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and processes amongst staff and stakeholders.

TEAM LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT (INSPIRATIONAL MENTOR):

• Leading and motivating a senior leadership team, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and continuous skills and talent development.
• Overseeing human resources, fostering a culture of values, ethics, inclusivity, innovation, and accountability.

PUBLIC AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT (RESILIENT NAVIGATOR):

• Navigating complex political environments to advocate for policies that strengthen the South African ports system.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant Degree in Business/ Economics/ Maritime/ Engineering/ Finance/ Logistics or equivalent is required (NQF7).

OR

• Postgraduate Diploma in Business/ Economics/ Maritime/ Engineering/ Finance/ Logistics or equivalent is required (NQF8).

Added advantage

• Postgraduate qualification in Executive/ Management/ Leadership development qualification (NQF8).

WITH

• with 15+ years operations experience (10 years leadership + 5 years executive) in a large and diverse enterprise with a national/international footprint/client-base, and a complex operations environment. Experience in managing large capital investments, public private partnerships, and/or corporate restructuring would be an added advantage.

STANDARD JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Driver’s license code 08
• Local and international travel as required by the business

Competencies

• Strategy & Sustainability;
• Inspirational and Ethical Leadership;
• Business Performance and Delivery;
• Relationship Management;
• Corporate Governance & Compliance; and
• Personal Mastery.