We demonstrate a noble-metal free catalytically active molecular dyad using an organic photosensitizer (instead of transition metal-based chromophore) linked to a [(N^N)Rh(Cp*)Cl] catalyst. The resultant photocatalyst Rh III phenPer consists of an organic Per-derived photosensitizing unit (phenPer) and a Rh III catalytic center. Upon photoexcitation of Rh III phenPer charge is unidirectional shifted towards the Rh center, forming a charge-separated species within circa 8 ps. In the absence of a sacrificial donor this species decays with 400 ps back to the ground state representing enhanced CS state lifetimes compared to other rylene dye-based transition metal complexes. Formation of the Rh I phenPer species were followed by successful thermal and light-driven, catalytic hydrogenation of nicotinamide co-factor NAD + forming NADH with constant turnover frequencies. Compared to transition metal complex-based assemblies, the charge separation leading to pre-active species being still too short lived for higher catalytic activity needs to be approached in ongoing studies. Since the properties of perylenes can be easily tuned by derivatization, increased charge separation distances as well as adjusted electrochemical and photophysical properties by incorporation of e.g. PMI and PDI systems need to be focused.