Principal Social Manager Jobs in Gqeberha, South Africa at SET Consulting
Position: Principal Social Performance Manager
Location: Gqeberha
Principal Social Performance Manager
Market-related Package
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
About the Role
A leading international renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure business is seeking a Principal Social Performance Manager to lead and oversee the full Social Performance (SP) function across a large portfolio of renewable energy projects spanning development, construction, and operations.
The role is accountable for ensuring the consistent delivery of social commitments, community investment programmes, lender obligations, and governance requirements across multiple assets, while strengthening execution systems, risk management, and stakeholder outcomes.
This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving impact at portfolio level, leading a growing team, and ensuring alignment between business strategy, community outcomes, and compliance frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
Social Performance Strategy & Execution
Lead execution of Social Performance commitments across the full project portfolio
Develop and maintain Social Performance implementation plans and delivery roadmaps
Translate sustainability and economic transformation priorities into actionable programmes
Monitor execution performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions
Ensure portfolio readiness through structured planning, controls, and reporting systems
Drive continuous improvement in delivery models and execution efficiency
Community Investment & Programme Delivery
Oversee Enterprise Development (EnD), Socio-Economic Development (SED), and related community programmes
Manage implementing partners and external service providers
Guide beneficiary identification, programme design, and delivery approaches
Ensure alignment with approved plans, community needs, and strategic social commitments
Support development of impact measurement frameworks and performance tracking systems
Review and strengthen contracts, governance, and implementation controls
Cross-Functional Coordination & Governance
Partner with Operations, Finance, Legal, Environmental Performance, and Project teams
Ensure alignment of social delivery requirements across business functions
Escalate material risks and dependencies impacting execution
Present Social Performance updates at governance forums (including Board and Social & Ethics structures)
Strengthen integrated decision-making within the sustainability function
Operational Asset Oversight
Oversee EnD and SED programmes across operational renewable energy assets
Manage external implementing agents and internal programme administrators
Ensure robust internal controls, compliance, and reporting mechanisms
Review quarterly Economic Development reporting and forecast delivery against obligations
Support community trust governance structures and distribution mechanisms
Project Development & Construction Support
Support social performance readiness during construction-to-operations transition
Lead socio-economic assessments, community consultation, and needs analysis processes
Ensure implementation readiness plans are in place prior to operational phase
Embed social requirements into construction execution and project governance systems
Financial Close & Compliance Support
Support compliance with lender requirements and social performance standards, including
IFC Performance Standards
Integrate social requirements into Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS)
Ensure alignment with sponsor and regulatory social obligations
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and develop the Social Performance team across multiple levels
Drive capability building, performance management, and succession planning
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and development of team members
Manage external service providers and implementation partners
Minimum Qualifications and
Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Sociology, Economics, Public Policy, Environmental Management or related field
Minimum 10 years’ experience in socio-economic development or social performance roles
Strong understanding of renewable energy, infrastructure, or development sectors
Experience working with IFC Performance Standards and lender-driven compliance frameworks
Working knowledge of South African socio-economic development frameworks (advantageous)
Proven leadership and programme management experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Core Competencies
Programme execution and delivery discipline
Governance, compliance, and reporting excellence
Risk identification and mitigation
Financial and commercial awareness
Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
Contract and service provider management
Strong analytical and structured decision-making capability
Ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams
Leadership Attributes
Strong operational leadership across dispersed portfolios
High-level stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills
Ability to drive accountability across internal and external partners
Strategic thinking with strong execution focus
Continuous…
Title: Principal Social Manager
Company: SET Consulting
Location: Gqeberha, South Africa
Category:
