Job Description

SUMMARY:Purpose of the Role:The Executive Head of the Localisation Support Fund (LSF) will be responsible for leading the strategic and operational direction of the organization, ensuring it effectively delivers on its mandate of promoting industrial growth, competitiveness and localisation in South Africa. Reporting to the Boar...POSITION INFO:Purpose of the Role:The Executive Head of the Localisation Support Fund (LSF) will be responsible for leading the strategic and operational direction of the organization, ensuring it effectively delivers on its mandate of promoting industrial growth, competitiveness and localisation in South Africa. Reporting to the Board, the Executive Head will build and lead a capable team, ensuring the organization has the necessary skills in key areas such as programme and project development; project management; deal-making; strategy; research; advocacy, stakeholder engagement; and monitoring and evaluation.
This role requires an individual with a deep understanding of the South African manufacturing landscape and the ability to foster relationships with public and private stakeholders to drive the LSFs strategic objectives.Overview of the LSF:Established as a non-profit company in 2021 and funded by private sector contributors, the LSF exists to catalyse and enable deepening industrialisation through programmatic interventions that enhance the competitiveness of South African manufacturing in ways that both grow exports and increase localisation.xc3x82
The LSFs strategy is focused on promoting industrial growth through export competitiveness and localisation in key sectors within South Africa, with an emphasis on enhancing the countrys manufacturing capabilities. This strategy aims to identify and unblock export and localisation opportunities by providing targeted technical support at cluster and firm level, fostering strategic partnerships, implementing initiatives that drive competitiveness and value chain development in ways that address regulatory barriers, and binding constraints in the manufacturing ecosystem and related and supporting industries. The LSF prioritizes technical support, project development, stakeholder engagement, and research-backed decision-making to ensure impactful interventions.xc3x82
As a network orchestrator within the localisation ecosystem, the LSF facilitates end-to-end connection and alignment between supply- and demand-side participants. It enhances the value of these interactions by funding industry research and deploying technical expert resources to accelerate or unblock growth opportunities in the manufacturing sector.Key Qualifications:

• A relevant tertiary-level qualification in business, economics, industrial policy, or related fields.
• A post

qualification will be an added advantage. * Minimum of 10 years of experience in a xc3x82 leadership role within a public or private sector entity, ideally with exposure to industrial development, localisation, or economic development at an Executive level.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and oversee complex projects.
• Experience in dealing with government entities, policy development, and stakeholder management is highly advantageous.

Strategic Leadership

• Execute the LSFs overall strategy, ensuring alignment with its mission of catalysing industrial growth through export competitiveness and localisation.
• Ensure that the organizations programmes of support are scalable, impactful, and aligned with the LSFs strategic goals.
• Lead the design and implementation of new initiatives that address key manufacturing competitiveness challenges in priority sectors with a view to growing exports and/or localization.

Operational Leadership and governance

• Manage the organisation in line with the strategic plan, in strict compliance with the Articles of Association and the regulatory requirements as a Public Benefit Organisation, and within the limits of authority delegated to the Executive Head by the board from time to time;
• Develop annual objectives and periodic business, funding and operating plans and budgets for the organisation, recommend such objectives, plans and budgets to the board for adoption, monitor and report such organisational performance to the Board;
• Ensure the efficient allocation of the financial, human and other resources required by the organisation to achieve its strategic goals;
• Oversee the implementation of effective control, monitoring and performance standards and systems relative to the utilization of all organisational resources;
• Ensure appropriate and timely disclosure of material information with respect to the organizations affairs; and

Organizational Development

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team capable of delivering high-impact projects across different manufacturing value chains.
• Foster a results-oriented organizational culture focused on performance, continuous learning, and adaptability.
• Ensure organizational growth by securing necessary technical, financial, and human resources to deliver on the LSFs mandate.

Programme Development and Management

• Oversee the proactive identification, development, and implementation of programmes and projects that upgrade local manufacturing competitiveness
• Establish and enhance processes for evaluating project proposals and ensuring alignment with LSFs strategic goals.
• Lead the team in managing and executing projects efficiently and effectively, ensuring delivery within set timelines and budgets.

Stakeholder Engagement Advocacy

• Act as the primary advocate for the LSF, representing the organization at key forums and ensuring close collaboration with stakeholders across government, industry, and research.
• Build strategic partnerships with industry associations, businesses, and investors to further LSFs localisation objectives.
• Drive advocacy efforts to promote the importance of industrialisation and localisation in South Africa.

Monitoring Evaluation

• Develop robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the impact and success of LSF interventions.
• Ensure that projects are aligned with the LSFs defined success metrics and that results are measured and reported to stakeholders.

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• Proven track record in building or growing and leading a successful organisation or building and/or growing an operation or division within a large organisation.
• Data-Driven: Utilizes data and analytics to inform decisions and track performance
• A values-driven leader with an unquestioned reputation and track record of integrity and ethics.
• A confident, but low-ego and collaborative personality and the interpersonal skills to forge consensus with stakeholders, within the team, and with partners.
• Strong communication skills and presentation capabilities.
• A clear commitment to the LSFs mission, transformation, and an acute sensitivity to current socio-political dynamics and context.

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