Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd has opened applications for the role of Group Executive: Eskom Distribution, one of the most strategically significant leadership positions in South Africa’s electricity sector. Eskom Distribution plays a central role in the national power system, responsible for the safe and reliable delivery of electricity and the collection of revenue from millions of customers across the country.
The division operates at the intersection of commercial sustainability and social responsibility within a regulated environment. It serves a diverse customer base spanning residential, commercial, industrial, mining and agricultural sectors, requiring a model that balances affordability, reliability and long-term financial viability. As South Africa’s electricity market becomes more liberalised, Eskom Distribution is undergoing a fundamental shift towards a more agile, innovative and customer-centric operating model.
The incoming Group Executive will lead this transformation, including the legal unbundling of Eskom Distribution into a standalone operational subsidiary. The role carries responsibility for business re-engineering, repositioning customer offerings, advancing inclusive service delivery and driving digital transformation. A key focus will be establishing new capabilities, including trading functions, while embedding operational excellence across the business.
Central to the mandate is the modernisation of ageing infrastructure through technology, systems and smart solutions that support a future-fit electricity network. The executive will also lead strategies to address municipal debt, strengthen revenue generation, combat electricity theft, reduce non-technical losses and improve governance, accountability and performance management.
The role requires a courageous and commercially minded leader with proven experience at CEO or executive level in complex organisations. The ideal candidate will bring strong B2B and B2C leadership credentials, a track record of transformation and culture change, and the ability to execute strategy in high-pressure environments. A strong customer focus, stakeholder management capability and an innovative approach to operating models are essential, alongside a relevant commercial, technical or business qualification at NQF8 level or equivalent.
Based at Eskom’s Head Office in Johannesburg, the position offers a competitive executive remuneration package, to be negotiated with the successful candidate. Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and employment equity. Confidential applications, quoting Group Executive: Eskom Distribution, should be submitted to Search Partners at executive-search@SearchPartners.co.za by 30 January 2026.
This appointment forms a critical part of Eskom’s broader mandate to support unbundling, enable the energy transition, improve customer experience and strengthen operational performance in a rapidly evolving electricity market.