- South Africa’s beleaguered state owned energy utility, Eskom, has advertised for the position of CEO after Andre de Ruyter submitted his resignation in early December 2022.
- In the months leading up to his resignation, de Ruyter came under public attack by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe who indirectly accused him (Eskom) “by not attending to load shedding, is actively agitating for the overthrow of the state.” Read more.
- De Ruyter was also poisoned at his Eskom offices after drinking coffee laced with cyanide in December. Read more
Position : Group Chief Executive (Internal and External)
Vacancy type: Executive
Task Grade : F BAND
Area of Speacialization : The incoming Group Chief Executive will report to the Chairman of the Board and serve as a member of the Eskom Executive Committee. He / she will be responsible for strategic leadership and financial sustainability of the organisation.
Department : Office of the Chairman
Business Unit : Office of the Chairman
Location : South Africa (Gauteng)
Reference Number : GCE2023
Closing Date : 27/02/2023
Minimum Requirements
Qualification(s):
A postgraduate degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics or suitable qualification at NQF level 8 with 480 credits
An undergraduate degree, with an MBA or other relevant postgraduate degree, will be an advantage.
Related Experience:
At least 15 – 20 years’ senior management experience at executive committee level, ideally within emerging markets;
Strong commercial acumen with a successful track record in managing the strategic turnaround of a commercial entity operating within a complex environment with over 20 000+ employees and an annual turnover in excess of R50 billion;
A solid track record in mitigating systemic risks and pro-actively managing crises;
A leader with unquestionable integrity and ethics;
A solid understanding of global trends within the energy sector and their applicability to local market conditions;
A demonstrable and sustainable track record of turning around commercially and operationally challenged organisations;
Extensive experience in raising capital (funding) and managing large capital projects;
Experience in managing a dynamic and robust stakeholder environment;
Experience in the energy and / or industrial sectors will be advantageous
A solid track record of working in a complex environment, leading business turnaround, ideally within emerging markets; and.
Comply with government policies and the unbundling process currently underway.
Related news: Eskom debt at R400 billion is unsustainable
Skills and Competencies
Commercial Acumen
Strategic Leadership & Governance
Stakeholder Management
Personal Characteristics
Must be a disciplined and goal-oriented professional with proven leadership experience at Executive level with personal integrity;
An intellectually curious critical thinker who can help develop the vision and strategy of Eskom;
Must be able to take calculated risks and make tough decisions;
An Executive who has relevant professional and social networks that can be leveraged for the benefit of the organisation;
Have excellent communication, motivational and negotiation skills; and
An inspiring and engaging Executive who will be seen as a strong leader of Eskom and viewed throughout the industry as an effective leader.
Key Responsibilities
Create a high-performing organisation with a culture that maintains the highest ethical and governance standards in line with shareholder, business, communities, and citizen’s expectations to provide excellent customer service;
Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate commercial and operational strategies and processes to achieve sustainable organisational outcomes;
Explore all strategic and commercial avenues that will translate into consistent and profitable business growth;
Lead and build an executive team which will stabilise an organisation in crisis, whilst managing diverse and sometimes conflicting stakeholder expectations; and
Ensure that the organisation manages risk and regulatory compliance; requirements, whilst achieving fiscal discipline and reducing high debt level.
