Head of Infrastructure Financing Group at Rand Merchant Bank

Responsibilities

• Bring, build and maintain strong senior level relationships in the West African infrastructure sector1, spanning global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop specific investment opportunities;
• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality bankable opportunities in the West African infrastructure space;
• Identify, filter and evaluate transactions in the West African infrastructure sector;
• Structure and negotiate infrastructure finance term sheets and secure bankable mandates;
• Lead and participate in negotiations with clients and advisors on project and finance documents;
• Work closely with the execution capabilities of the Infrastructure Finance team in Johannesburg to execute transactions in an efficient manner;
• Manage the client relationship and project manage the execution of infrastructure financings to financial close;
• Present opportunities to various internal bank committees for approval;
• Take responsibility for the West African infrastructure portfolio and manage existing exposures;
• Set the strategy for the West Africa Infrastructure Finance business in partnership with Infrastructure Finance team and leadership in Johannesburg;
• Manage the day to day operations of the Infrastructure Finance team in country;
• Manage a team of 1-2 people in the West African Infrastructure Finance team, based in Lagos;
• Mentor and coach junior transactors in the team;
• Interact and collaborate with the in-country and South African credit team, in-country Global Markets team as well as the rest of the IBD Africa team; and
• Cross-sell the bank’s products to clients

Qualifications & Experience

• A post graduate degree with more than 7 years of relevant project finance deal making experience, MBA / CFA or equivalent qualification;
• An established network of clients, financiers and advisors focusing on the West African infrastructure sector;
• A proven track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing transactions in the infrastructure space;
• Knowledge of relevant industry sector trends with relevant experience in Nigeria and Ghana, Francophone Africa markets such as Cote d’Ivoire a plus;
• Business development and client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on client needs effectively;
• A deep understanding of credit analysis and debt structuring;
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials;
• Ability to negotiate and persuade internal and external stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills – both written and spoken; and
• A strong track record of achievement in previous work experience.

Technical Skills:

• General knowledge and understanding of business, industry and the macroeconomic environment;
• A good understanding of banking financial instruments, products (i.e. derivatives) and markets;
• Advanced proficiency in project finance financial modelling;
• In-depth understanding of typical project finance risk allocation principles; and
• Strong financial and credit skills and a demonstrable ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity).

Competencies & Other Requirements:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (fluency in French a plus);
• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds;
• Strong character, integrity and the highest ethical standards are paramount;
• A high degree of self-confidence; pleasant personality; well presented;
• High motivation and organised / good time management skills / strong discipline and attention to detail;
• A self-starter mentality and be able to work with minimal supervision;
• Flexibility when necessary and ability to work effectively under pressure;
• A strong work ethic and able to operate in a fast-changing environment (building a business);
• An ability to work in/with.

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Responsibilities

• Bring, build and maintain strong senior level relationships in the West African infrastructure sector1, spanning global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop specific investment opportunities;
• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality bankable opportunities in the West African infrastructure space;
• Identify, filter and evaluate transactions in the West African infrastructure sector;
• Structure and negotiate infrastructure finance term sheets and secure bankable mandates;
• Lead and participate in negotiations with clients and advisors on project and finance documents;
• Work closely with the execution capabilities of the Infrastructure Finance team in Johannesburg to execute transactions in an efficient manner;
• Manage the client relationship and project manage the execution of infrastructure financings to financial close;
• Present opportunities to various internal bank committees for approval;
• Take responsibility for the West African infrastructure portfolio and manage existing exposures;
• Set the strategy for the West Africa Infrastructure Finance business in partnership with Infrastructure Finance team and leadership in Johannesburg;
• Manage the day to day operations of the Infrastructure Finance team in country;
• Manage a team of 1-2 people in the West African Infrastructure Finance team, based in Lagos;
• Mentor and coach junior transactors in the team;
• Interact and collaborate with the in-country and South African credit team, in-country Global Markets team as well as the rest of the IBD Africa team; and
• Cross-sell the bank’s products to clients

Qualifications & Experience

• A post graduate degree with more than 7 years of relevant project finance deal making experience, MBA / CFA or equivalent qualification;
• An established network of clients, financiers and advisors focusing on the West African infrastructure sector;
• A proven track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing transactions in the infrastructure space;
• Knowledge of relevant industry sector trends with relevant experience in Nigeria and Ghana, Francophone Africa markets such as Cote d’Ivoire a plus;
• Business development and client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on client needs effectively;
• A deep understanding of credit analysis and debt structuring;
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials;
• Ability to negotiate and persuade internal and external stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills – both written and spoken; and
• A strong track record of achievement in previous work experience.

Technical Skills:

• General knowledge and understanding of business, industry and the macroeconomic environment;
• A good understanding of banking financial instruments, products (i.e. derivatives) and markets;
• Advanced proficiency in project finance financial modelling;
• In-depth understanding of typical project finance risk allocation principles; and
• Strong financial and credit skills and a demonstrable ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity).

Competencies & Other Requirements:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (fluency in French a plus);
• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds;
• Strong character, integrity and the highest ethical standards are paramount;
• A high degree of self-confidence; pleasant personality; well presented;
• High motivation and organised / good time management skills / strong discipline and attention to detail;
• A self-starter mentality and be able to work with minimal supervision;
• Flexibility when necessary and ability to work effectively under pressure;
• A strong work ethic and able to operate in a fast-changing environment (building a business);
• An ability to work in/with.