Director, Europe Sustainable Infrastructure, Energy

Purpose of Job

The Director will have overall responsibility for the Bank’s activities in the energy sector in the region covering Central Europe and the Baltic States, South-eastern Europe including the Balkans, Ukraine, plus portfolio in Czechia and Greece (Europe), including all financing products and overall policy dialogue with the relevant stakeholders in the sector.  The Director will lead a team responsible for the origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring of all transactions in the sector as well as designing and delivering an ambitious policy agenda, all in coordination with Banking regional team, VP3 and other colleagues, fulfilling EBRD’s standards, operational principles and transition mandate.

They will report to the Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group. The Director will have a high commitment to the Bank’s mandate and institutional goals, the ability to create an environment conducive to operational delivery and technical excellence, a capacity to provide strategic though leadership in the sector, and engage staff, clients and shareholders.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Accountable for the team’s delivery and fulfilment of quantitative and qualitative objectives of the annual scorecard; these objectives support the annual objectives for the Business Group and the annual business plan of the Bank.
• Supervision of the team’s budget and other non-staff resources in coordination with relevant departments to ensure an efficient and optimum utilisation of resources in compliance with the rules and procedures of the Bank, such as corporate procurement, budget processes, travel and expenses policy and the Staff Handbook.
• Proposing for approval by the Managing Director, the strategic direction and operational goals for the Bank in the energy sector in Europe. Advising the Managing Director on all sector related operational and strategic matters, preparing proposals for the annual business plan and budget and providing inputs for the Group’s business plan.
• The origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring of investment projects in those of the Bank’s countries of operations that are the team's responsibility, ensuring that the quality of financial analysis, transaction structuring, implementation and monitoring of projects meet the highest standards, further the EBRD's transition mandate and achieve the annual business plan for the sector.
• Oversee market analysis in the sector and for product development and innovation in response to market requirements.
• Policy dialogue activities in the sector, ensuring suitability of the activity, quality of the advice and integration with other Bank efforts and cross-cutting themes.
• Review and approval of projects and project documentation for examination and approval by the Bank’s Operations Committee (including the Small Business Investment Committee) and Board. Ensure the quality and thoroughness of inter-departmental consultation on such projects prior to Committee and Board review and of their presentation.
• Presentation of relevant policy and strategic documents to SPCom/Excom/Risk Com and Board Committees as well as putting in place arrangements for their subsequent implementation.
• Active development and management of relationships with clients, private investors, operators and local, regional and central/federal government authorities, as well as with senior officials of national and multi-lateral institutions. Represent the Bank at relevant conferences.
• Liaison with the Managing Directors and Directors of country teams and Heads of Resident Offices in sector project development, implementation and policy dialogue, ensuring an optimal use of Bank's resources, and contribute to the preparation of country strategies.
• Active management of the existing portfolio of loans and investments with a view to building and protecting revenue earning assets, and in the case of equity investments, enhancing value creation. Preparation of recommendations for the appropriate committee on equity exits and on amendment or enforcement of loan terms.
• Participation in the Sustainable Infrastructure Group’s senior leadership group, taking responsibility for the generation of a collective identity focused on delivery of the group’s and the Bank’s objectives through engagement with concerns beyond those of the Director’s team, or the group, alone.
• Ensuring team compliance with the Bank's integrity procedures.
• Directly accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of the Energy Europe team including recruitment, compensation, performance management, coaching and development. Where matrix reporting is in place, work jointly with the country counterpart when setting objectives and completing performance appraisals for relevant staff.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Qualifications & Skills / Experience & Knowledge

Qualifications and Skills:

• The individual must be a business driver, with strong leadership skills.
• Demonstrated high level commercial and technical skills.
• Strong organisational and management skills. Ability to manage a number of varied and complex tasks, resilient attitude towards conflicting priorities and challenges.
• Ability to motivate team performance through a people centred approach to management. Coaching, mentoring and leadership skills.
• Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills suited for a wide variety of people at high level both inside and outside the Bank.
• Ability to listen to the views of business partners and to be sensitive to and understand cultural differences, transition success factors and the complexity of political constraints in the countries of operations.
• A collegial approach and a commitment to participating fully in the broader management of the Sustainable Infrastructure Group, both challenging and supporting the other senior leaders (Directors and Managing Director).
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of another language relevant to the Europe region would be desirable.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Significant number of years of relevant financial industry experience at a major merchant/investment, commercial or development bank, private equity firm, asset management firm or auditing/financial consulting firm operating to international standards.
• Extensive experience of leading complex transactions through the full project life cycle.
• Experience of conceptualising, articulating and overseeing the delivery of substantive policy reforms.
• Demonstrated, proven capacity to do business in a tough and challenging environment.
• Experience of and judgement on integrity matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a business and a team.
• Extensive experience in the energy sector, with a demonstrated track record of origination and execution, would be desirable.
• Experience of the business and regulatory environment in Europe would be desirable.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD 

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

The EBRD environment provides you with: 

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in. 
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).