Operating Principal at Old Mutual

The Role

• An opportunity has arisen for a talented Operating Principal with an Engineering background to join a dynamic newly created niche team working in the African Energy Transition landscape at AIIM. You will work across the Portfolio and throughout the life cycle of projects from origination to exit, ensuring our approach is technically robust.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the origination, diligence, execution, asset management, and exit of the Fund’s deals with the investor lens of an Operator
• Mentor the portfolio companies’ technical, operations and construction teams through active oversight
• Ensure thorough technical due diligence through evaluating engineering processes, project management processes, contracting strategies, contract costing models, operations processes, and internal work management approaches
• Readily engage in discussions on technical and operational performance, with senior management at assets, to identify, structure, plan and deliver optimum technical efficiency
• Deliver regular performance reports to keep investors informed of the technical and operational status of their assets, providing insights into KPIs and benchmarking against industry standards
• Provide technical input to Investment Committee reports
• Manage transactions through AIIM's transaction process including taking overall responsibility for co-ordinating and prioritising technical work streams, managing input from advisers and maintaining client relationships, in accordance with AIIM's protocols and procedures
• Independently lead negotiations on select transactions with third parties, transaction counterparties, external advisers, co-investors, debt providers, and other involved parties
• Drive the technical aspects of the Fund’s exit processes ensuring alignment with sellside models and materials as well as unlocking future sources of operational value drivers
• Represent AIIM and add value on Boards of investee companies
• Collaborate with ATAF’s ESG Advisor to ensure ESG principles and practices are fully embedded in transactions
• Support the ATAF team with technical energy transition sector knowledge (e.g. service, maintenance, logistics) and transaction updates
• Respond comprehensively to investor transaction queries, portfolio companies and sectors
• Attend industry events and conferences to continuously improve portfolio performance and provide strategic support to portfolio companies
• Be an active and value-adding member of the ATAF team
• Participate in the mentoring and management of team members with less experience

Desired Candidate Profile:

• Relevant qualifications (B.Eng/M.Eng as well as additional finance certifications)
• 8-10 years’ experience in energy, climate, infrastructure, including time spent in an engineering business in a P&L role; experience in a technical role at an investor is a plus
• Direct experience across energy transition infra assets in Africa, either in a construction or operations role
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple, complex workstreams simultaneously across geographies and sectors
• Demonstrable passion for early-stage business development in the climate space
• Strong networks and relationships with clients, private investors, banks as well as construction and related companies operating in Africa
• Successful track record of delivery and leading or working in project teams with high level stakeholders and qualified professionals
• Familiarity with unique disciplines of identifying, negotiating, closing, and monitoring transactions
• Excellent commercial orientation
• Strong people and communication skills, with maturity to interact with senior stakeholders both internal and external
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrable organisational, planning and prioritising skills
• Strong financial analysis and modelling skills
• Strong attention to detail, with a high level of accuracy and ability to perform under pressure
• AIIM Culture Fit 
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Self-starter
• Intellectually curious
• Collaborative
• High energy
• Performance obsession

Skills

• Alternative Investments, Infrastructure Funding, Infrastructure Investments, Investments, Private Equity

Competencies

• Builds Effective Teams
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Ensures Accountability
• Financial Acumen
• Instills Trust
• Manages Complexity
• Optimizes Work Processes

Education

• Bachelor Of Science Engineering

Closing Date

• 04 March 2026