Contracts Manager

Job Title: Contracts Manager

Location: Cape Town, Tyger Waterfront office (office based with optional, 2-days per week remote work policy)

About NOA

NOA is an integrated renewable energy independent power producer, established to provide its customers with innovative and flexible solutions on their journey towards ‘Net Zero’ emissions and low-cost clean energy – by wheeling the energy generated by utility scale solar and wind generation facilities, augmented by battery energy storage systems.

To achieve this, NOA has assembled several critical building blocks:

• A strong balance sheet with secured and disbursed equity funding from blue chip shareholders (the Old Mutual group, via the Ideas Managed Fund and the AIIF 4 Fund, both managed by AIIM) with long standing commitment to the renewable energy space in Africa.;
• An innovative capital and operational structure backed by a top-tier South African commercial institution; and
• development partnerships with several of the most successful project developers in South Africa, with successes in both the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Program (REIPPP) and the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) space.
• An aggregation entity (NOA Group Trading) aimed, in part, at disrupting the conventional project finance model that has characterised the C&I space to date, which is in the process of obtaining a trading licence from NERSA.
• Demonstrated track-record through some of the first private wheeling transactions to enter construction (including 30MW currently in operations for a listed mining company) and more than 625MW of wind and solar generation facilities in the financial close process
• An agile group of energy sector veterans committed to making a major contribution to the lowcarbon energy transition – both in South Africa and across the rest of the African continent – who have been assembled to realise a mission of delivering more than 10GW of clean energy generation in the next 10 years.

About the Role

NOA seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to join our Trading Operations team, with a focus on managing and optimizing our customer energy supply agreements and generator power purchase agreements (PPAs). In this role, you will take end-to-end responsibility for overseeing contractual obligations and you will play a critical role in ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and driving continuous improvement in contract management processes.

The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and a proactive approach to solving complex challenges. This role requires a combination of technical expertise in contract administration, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and a passion for delivering successful outcomes that align with NOA’s mission to support customers in achieving their net-zero ambitions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary in line with experience, short-term incentive and equity investment exposure.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, mission-driven company with strong financial backing and a deep commitment to help unlock the just energy transition in South Africa.
• Be part of a growing team at the forefront of the South African renewable energy industry.

Key Responsibilities

The Contracts Manager is responsible for ensuring the effective management and compliance with all contractual obligations associated with our generator and customer agreements while holding counterparties accountable for their obligations. customer energy supply agreements and generator power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Key responsibilities include:

• Contract Management and Administration
  • Oversee the administration of customer energy supply agreements and generator power purchase agreements (PPAs) and related contracts.
  • Draft, issue, and manage contractual notices, claims, variations, and responses while maintaining a detailed and up-to-date notice register.
  • Ensure compliance with all contractual obligations and maintain accurate documentation of contractual milestones, penalties, and deliverables.
• Risk and Dispute Management
  • Maintain a risk register to identify and assess contractual risks; develop and implement mitigation strategies to protect the company’s interests.
  • Manage and resolve claims, disputes, and change orders in collaboration with stakeholders, supporting processes such as mediation, arbitration, or conciliation as needed.
  • Monitor interfaces between contracts to anticipate and address potential conflicts or breaches.
• Reporting and Compliance
  • Consolidate and provide input into monthly operations and customer reports, ensuring alignment between internal and contractor-provided data.
  • Prepare and maintain risk matrices to monitor and report on contractual obligations and risks.
  • Ensure adherence to legal, industry, and regulatory standards.
  • Track and report contractual performance indicators, ensuring contract compliance and deviations are promptly addressed.
• Process Improvement and Advisory
  • Drive continuous improvement in contract management processes, identifying opportunities for operational efficiency, risk reduction, and commercial leverage.
  • Support Legal Counsel and management with advice on contract interpretations, risk mitigation, and compliance.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping
  • Establish and maintain organised systems and processes for tracking contractual obligations, milestones, and contract documentation.
  • Ensure proper record-keeping of all correspondence, notices, and legal documents to support audits and future contract reviews.
  • This role demands a meticulous, proactive approach to contract management, ensuring successful company outcomes and safeguarding the company’s commercial and legal interests.

Required qualifications, skills, and experience

I) EXPERIENCE

• Candidates must hold a tertiary qualification: BCom, BSc, or LLB.
• A minimum of 5 years experience in commercial, industrial, or large-scale project contract management is required. Experience in energy, renewables, or large-scale utilities is advantageous.
• Strong expertise in contract law and contracting processes, gained through formal training and/or professional experience, to manage large and complex contracts effectively.
• Project management experience is desirable.

II) SKILLS

• Commercial Acumen: Effectively managing contracts, quantifying and mitigating risks, and maximizing value to drive business success.
• Strong Communication and Relationship-Building: Able to connect well with stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem Solver and Conflict Resolver: Solutions orientated, handles challenges and navigates corporate structures effectively.
• Analytical and Systematic: Thinks critically and designs efficient processes.
• Clear Documentation Skills: Creates easy-to-understand and detailed reports.
• Tech-savvy: Proficient in Microsoft Office and relevant workflow tools.

III) ATTRIBUTES

• Customer-focused Passionate about serving customers.
• Problem-Solver: Skilled at managing complex transactions.
• Detail-oriented: Accurate, thorough, and attentive to details and have a process orientation.
• Flexible and Adaptable: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Organized and Self-Motivated: Plans and prioritizes effectively to manage several complex transactions.

To apply for the role, email your resume to careers@noagroup.africa together with a cover letter that highlights your relevant work experience and achievements that make you an ideal fit for the role, and what motivates you to join the NOA mission.