Funding Manager at Sun Exchange

About the Job

Sun Exchange has deployed and operates one of the largest fleets of embedded generation commercial solar and energy storage projects in South Africa. The sectors we solar power include education, retirement, retail, non-profit, manufacturing, agriculture and more. 

Sun Exchange operates on a hybrid model. You would need to come to our office in Cape Town on a regular basis.

The candidate we are looking for

The Funding Manager is a key role in Sun Exchange. This role is responsible for working with existing corporate funding partners who fund projects developed with Sun Exchange. In addition to working with existing funding partners this role will work closely with the Head of Business Development and CEO to develop new project funding relationships either for existing pipelines and verticals and/or for new verticals and project types. 

This role will report directly to the Head of Business Development but will also work closely with the CEO and collaborate across both the BD, Engineering, Legal and Finance teams. 

This is a great opportunity for an individual who enjoys a dynamic and active role that engages with many stakeholders. Sun Exchange has recently pivoted to focus exclusively on corporate funding therefore this role has the potential to grow in importance and have impact on the overall strategic directions and opportunities the company explores. 

Key areas of competency

Ideally, the individual will have experience working with deal makers, funding and/or corporate finance. You will work with existing funding partners – where the terms and requirements are pre-determined for funding – meeting with these partners on a regular basis and updating them on new pipeline opportunities and working to close funding on existing opportunities and close out funding milestones on projects in construction. You will also work closely with the BD team to develop new verticals and project types/sizes and the associated/required funding needs – this will be the deal-making side of the role. On this side, you will also work with the CEO and support larger equity funding and other funding requirements. 

Requirements

• University degree in business, finance, economics, engineering (preferred)
• 5+ years experience in business
• Experience working with multiple teams in a remote setting
• Experience with financial models a plus
• Experience with CRM tools, especially Hubspot
• Experience with Excel and Google sheets
• Major plus if you have experience with Microsoft projects
• Experience working with bankers or corporate finance
• Experience developing DD processes
• Deal making experience – closing funding deals
• Structuring funding deals

Responsibilities and tasks

Existing Funding Relationships

• Meet with funders on a regular basis to guarantee funding throughput
• Work to get all relevant projects in the pipeline funded
• Work closely with BD team and Pipeline Manager to guarantee success of funding.
• Maintain relevant documentation and respond to requests from funders to provide documentation where required
• Work closely with Solar Analyst to ensure deal model cash flows meet funder IRR hurdles, whilst achieving internal profit margin hurdles and Asset Management fees. 
• Work closely with legal to maintain Asset Management and Asset Build agreements.  
• Ensure project funding agreements are executed timeously and funder payment milestones are met.

Reporting

• Provide weekly funding forecast updates
• Provide all necessary reports to funders as required
• Work with Pipeline Manager to maintain records
• Work with the Finance Director to provide weekly sales forecasting report.

Future Funding Relationships

• Work with Head of BD and CEO to develop new funding opportunities
• Negotiate commercial term-sheets and agreements with potential new funders. 
• Work with BD team to identify new types of funding opportunities – new project verticals, sizes, technologies

Funding Models

• Work with Head of BD and supported by our Solar Analyst to develop new funding models – with the aim to identify new ways of selling/pricing and funding projects

Corporate Funding

• Work with our Strategic Advisor and CEO on identifying new equity/working capital partners
• Work to strengthen corporate funding partnerships
• Stay up to date with Renewable Energy tax incentives and legislation