Head of Service - South Africa
Cape Town, ZA, 8001
Nordex Energy South Africa has 3.5 GW of installed capacity over 11 wind farms. Lead one of South Africa's largest renewable energy service operations. We are seeking a commercially astute and strategic executive to drive business growth, operational excellence, safety leadership, customer success, and financial performance across our national service portfolio.
The role is responsible for delivering sustainable profitability, ensuring world-class service delivery, maintaining the highest safety standards, strengthening customer partnerships, and driving long-term growth of the service portfolio.
The incumbent acts as the executive representative of the Service Business in South Africa and serves as the primary interface between customers, regional leadership, and internal stakeholders.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the South African Service Business Strategy aligned with regional and global objectives.
- Drive long-term growth, profitability, and market expansion opportunities.
- Provide strategic direction for all operational, technical, commercial, and people-related activities.
- Lead business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure alignment between service delivery, customer expectations, and shareholder objectives.
Executive Leadership & Governance
- Serve as a member of the South African Leadership Team.
- Ensure compliance with all corporate governance, legislative, regulatory, and company requirements.
- Act as the OHS Act 16.2 Appointee and accountable executive for Health, Safety, Environment and Quality.
- Lead risk management practices across all service operations.
- Represent the company in executive forums, industry engagements, customer meetings, and regulatory discussions.
Financial & Commercial Management
- Own full Profit and Loss (P&L) accountability for the South African Service Business.
- Develop and manage annual operating plans, capital expenditure plans and budgets.
- Deliver revenue growth and margin improvement initiatives.
- Lead commercial negotiations and major contract renewals.
- Drive achievement of financial targets and operational efficiencies.
- Ensure effective contract management and commercial governance.
Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain executive-level relationships with customers, investors, lenders, regulators, OEM partners, communities, and key stakeholders.
- Serve as Executive Sponsor for strategic customer accounts.
- Ensure high customer satisfaction and contract performance.
- Manage stakeholder expectations while protecting company interests.
Operational Excellence
- Ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of all service sites.
- Drive operational performance against agreed business KPIs.
- Lead asset performance optimisation strategies.
- Ensure implementation of maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle management strategies.
- Establish and monitor performance standards across all service operations.
Health, Safety & Environmental Leadership
- Champion a proactive safety culture across the organisation.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable HSE legislation and company standards.
- Lead strategic initiatives to improve safety performance.
- Drive zero-harm principles and continuous improvement programmes.
- Accountable for environmental compliance and sustainability objectives.
People Leadership
- Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing leadership team.
- Drive talent management, succession planning, leadership development and retention strategies.
- Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration and inclusion.
- Ensure organisational capability aligns with future business requirements.
Business Development
- Support sales and commercial teams in securing new service agreements.
- Identify opportunities for portfolio expansion and value-added service offerings.
- Provide executive support during major bid and tender processes.
- Contribute to market intelligence and competitive positioning initiatives.
Minimum Requirements
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business Management, Commerce or related field.
- Postgraduate qualification (MBA, Master's Degree, or equivalent) preferred.
- Professional registration with a relevant engineering or professional body advantageous.
Experience
- Minimum 10 to 15 years' experience within the energy, utilities, renewable energy, industrial services, engineering, or asset management sectors.
- At least 8 years in a senior leadership position.
- Proven P&L management experience.
- Extensive experience managing large operational teams and complex customer contracts.
- Demonstrated success leading organisational growth and transformation initiatives.
- Strong commercial, contractual and stakeholder management experience.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic Leadership
- Visionary thinking
- Business acumen
- Commercial awareness
- Innovation and transformation
Executive Presence
- Influencing and negotiation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Board and executive communication
- Decision-making under pressure
People Leadership
- Leadership development
- Talent management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Change leadership
Operational Excellence
- Risk management
- Financial management
- Continuous improvement
- Governance and compliance
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- EBITDA / Profitability Targets
- Service Revenue Growth
- Contract Renewal Success Rate
- Customer Satisfaction Index
- Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
- Operational Availability Performance
- Budget Adherence
- Employee Engagement Scores
- Talent Retention Metrics
- Strategic Project Delivery
YOUR BENEFITS:
In addition to the opportunity to make our world a little more sustainable, we offer you:
*Some offers may vary by location
Nordex adheres to a policy of equal employment opportunity. All employment decisions are made without regard to religion, age, sex, color, national origin, handicap, or other protected class and are in full compliance with all federal and state laws.