Director- Project Finance
Our Client is a leading Japanese integrated investment group. Operating across the Middle East and Africa, the company focuses on a diverse range of sectors including power infrastructure, energy (including renewables), transportation systems, and metal products. In the region, they are actively involved in the development, financing, and operation of large-scale infrastructure projects such as power plants, water desalination facilities, and railway systems—often in partnership with governments and private sector entities. The corporation emphasizes long-term, sustainable growth through strategic investments and technology-driven solutions.
About the role
The Project Finance Director will lead the financial workstreams for independent power projects (IPPs/IWPPs) across SMEAP's target geographies — the Middle East/GCC, Africa, and Central Asia. This position requires deep expertise in financial modelling, structuring, and closing complex limited-recourse project finance transactions. The successful candidate will play a key role in negotiating financing documentation, aligning project and financing agreements, and ensuring bankability of deals from early development through financial close. The role also requires demonstrated leadership in transactions that have successfully reached financial close.
Responsibilities-
- Lead structuring, negotiation, and closing of project finance transactions (limited/non-recourse).
- Develop and review dynamic, detailed, and scenario-driven financial models used for bidding, lender presentations, and internal approvals.
- Drive negotiation of financing term sheets, Common Terms Agreements (CTA), Facility Agreements, Intercreditor Agreements, and related finance documentation.
- Coordinate closely with legal, technical, and commercial teams to align project agreements (PPA, EPC, O&M, SHA) with financing requirements.
- Manage due diligence processes with lenders, advisors, and internal stakeholders, ensuring full alignment with bankability requirements.
- Lead internal investment committee processes including preparation of presentation materials and risk analysis.
- Manage satisfaction of conditions precedent and execution of finance-related closing steps.
- Engage with development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral development banks (MDBs), export credit agencies (ECAs), and commercial banks to maintain strong financing relationships.
- Support establishment of project companies, capital structure planning, and post-FC financial compliance setup.
- Mentor and develop junior staff on financial modelling and project finance fundamentals.
Experience, Knowledge & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in finance, Economics, Engineering, or related field from a recognized institution.
- MBA or international finance qualification (CFA, CPA, ACCA) is a strong plus
- Minimum 12 years of exclusive experience in project finance for infrastructure or energy sectors.
- Demonstrated track record in:
- Financial modelling;
- Structuring project finance transactions;
- Negotiating debt term sheets and finance documents (CTA, LFA, intercreditor, etc.)
- Leading transactions through to financial close.
- Experience with multilateral, bilateral, and commercial lenders, preferably in emerging markets.
- Strong exposure to projects in Middle East/GCC, Africa, and Central Asia.
Skills required
- Expert-level Excel financial modelling skills.
- High proficiency in MS PowerPoint and Word for internal approvals and external presentations.
- Deep understanding of project finance debt structures, risk allocation, credit metrics, and interaction of project and finance documentation.
- Strong analytical and numerical skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent commercial and negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage complex transactions with multiple stakeholders under tight timelines.
- Effective communicator, able to interface confidently with lenders, advisors, partners, and internal senior leadership.
- Self-starter with a hands-on, solution-oriented mindset.
- Culturally agile and comfortable working across diverse markets and partner environments.