Corporate Finance: M&A Associate

The M&A Associate will form part of the Corporate Finance team and will work closely with the Group Chief Financial Officer to support Pele Energy Group and its subsidiaries across the full investment lifecycle. The role is execution-focused, with responsibility spanning transaction evaluation, deal execution, post-acquisition integration, and asset management, with a strong emphasis on financial modelling, due diligence, and investment analysis. This role reports directly to the Group Chief Financial Officer.

Requirements:
Corporate Finance

• Support the evaluation, structuring, and execution of investment and M&A opportunities across the Pele platform.
• Perform valuations, sensitivity analyses, and investment risk assessments.
• Support senior team members in the negotiation and review of transaction, equity, and project documentation.
• Assist with the structuring, preparation, and negotiation of debt and equity term sheets, ensuring alignment with transaction objectives and funding requirements.
• Provide solution-oriented insights to enhance transaction outcomes and improve deal processes.

Financial Modelling & Analysis

• Review, adapt, and run transaction financial models to support investment decision-making.
• Work closely with external advisors to validate financial model outputs, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with transaction requirements.
• Prepare internal post-acquisition business case scenarios to support investment committee decisions and asset performance monitoring.

Investment Process & Due Diligence

• Support the investment process from screening through to financial close (deal origination exposure encouraged but not core).
• Lead and coordinate due diligence processes under guidance from senior team members, including management of advisors and data flows.
• Review financial statements and perform detailed financial and commercial analysis.

Investment Committees & Internal Approvals

• Compile and contribute to investment papers and supporting materials for internal investment committees.

Asset Management & Integration

• Project manage post-acquisition integration of assets into the broader Pele business.
• Monitor asset performance against the original investment case.
• Identify and execute value-enhancement initiatives, including refinancing, cost optimisation, and redevelopment opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Profile Raising

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, advisors, counterparties, and investment partners.
• Contribute to transaction-related and marketing materials.
• Participate in industry conferences, site visits, and transaction-related travel as required.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3–5 years’ experience in M&A, investment banking, corporate finance, or principal investments, with energy and project finance exposure advantageous.
• Transaction experience in South Africa is essential; broader African transaction exposure is preferred but not required.
• Renewable energy sector experience is advantageous.
• Strong financial modelling capability and high level of financial acumen.
• Good understanding of equity, project finance, and transaction documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage transaction processes with limited supervision.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and commercial judgment skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• High attention to detail, strong planning and time management capability.
• Resilient, self-motivated, and outcome-driven, with the ability to perform in a high-pressure environment.
• Collaborative team player with a strong willingness to learn and contribute to team development.