Principal Investment Officer - Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) Europe

Principal Investment Officer - Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) Europe

Description

At the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. In fiscal year 2026, IFC committed a record $105.6 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.  

MAS Europe seeks to recruit a Principal Investment Officer (PIO) to be based in Bucharest, Romania. The selected candidate will serve as a key member of the MAS Europe Leadership Team and will play a leading role in delivering MAS Europe's ambitious investment, mobilization, portfolio and outcomes agenda. The position combines strategic business development, management of key client relationships, transaction leadership, portfolio oversight, country platform leadership, and team development responsibilities.

Romania is one of IFC's most strategic markets in Europe, accounting for approximately half of the MAS Europe investment portfolio and representing a significant opportunity for future growth. The successful candidate will help deepen IFC's engagement with strategic clients, develop new investment opportunities, support implementation of country strategies, and contribute to the delivery of MAS Europe's overall business objectives. Based on the Romania and Bulgaria platform, the candidate will also provide leadership and coordination across MAS activities in the broader Europe region as needed.

Duties and Accountabilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

•  Serve as a member of the MAS Europe Leadership Team, contributing to business strategy, resource allocation, portfolio oversight and delivery of regional objectives.
•  Lead MAS business development efforts in Romania and Bulgaria, building a strong pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities aligned with country and sector priorities.
•  Lead the identification, design and execution of flagship investment platforms and innovative financing solutions that can be replicated across Europe, including mobilization, blended finance, capital markets and cross-border investment programs.
•  Establish and maintain relationships with senior executives, sponsors, investors, financial institutions, government counterparts and development partners to foster strategic partnerships and repeat business.
•  Manage selected strategic client relationships and coordinate integrated IFC and One WBG solutions.
•  Identify and develop upstream, advisory and investment opportunities that create future investment pipeline and mobilization opportunities for MAS Europe.
•  Represent MAS in key client, government, investor, development partner and World Bank Group engagements.
•  Lead and mentor staff and foster collaboration across sectors, products and functions.
•  Lead or support the origination, evaluation, structuring, negotiation and execution of complex investment transactions across MAS sectors.
•  Develop innovative financing solutions and mobilization opportunities to expand IFC's impact and reach.
•  Assess investment opportunities with a strong focus on strategic relevance, development impact, credit quality and portfolio value creation.
•  Provide oversight of key portfolio investments and support effective portfolio management and risk mitigation.
•  Contribute to the development and implementation of country and sector strategies for Romania and Bulgaria.
•  Promote collaboration across IFC, MIGA and the World Bank to support implementation of Country Partnership Framework objectives and mobilize private capital.
•  Support the identification and development of scalable investment, advisory and upstream opportunities that advance private sector growth, competitiveness and job creation.

Key Performance Indicators

The successful candidate will be expected to:

•  Deliver annual MAS Europe investment, mobilization, outcomes, profitability, and portfolio quality targets for designated parts of MAS Europe coverage (geographical and sectoral).
•  Originate and develop a strong pipeline of high-quality opportunities and deliver at least five bankable mandates annually with significant development impact and mobilization potential.
•  Maintain and deepen relationships with strategic clients and sponsors, generating repeat business and expanding IFC's engagement across investment, advisory and upstream products.
•  Support growth and diversification of the Romania and Bulgaria portfolio while maintaining strong credit quality and portfolio performance.
•  Advance implementation of Country Partnership Framework objectives and One WBG initiatives through coordinated private sector solutions.
•  Develop upstream and advisory opportunities that convert into future investment pipeline and mobilization opportunities for MAS Europe.
•  Foster a high-performing, collaborative and inclusive team culture and contribute to the development of MAS Europe talent.

Selection Criteria

•  MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent qualification in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering or a related discipline.
•  At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate finance, project finance, development finance or a related field, with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments.
•  Strong business development skills with demonstrated success in developing client relationships and converting opportunities into investment transactions.
•  Proven track record in portfolio management and strategic client relationship management.
•  Strong financial, credit and structuring skills, including experience with complex debt and equity transactions.
•  Sound business judgment and ability to identify opportunities, assess risks and structure practical solutions.
•  Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, strategic initiatives, country platforms or business units.
•  Strong understanding of manufacturing, agribusiness and services sectors and the development challenges of emerging markets.
•  Ability to interact effectively and independently with senior corporate executives, investors, government officials and development partners.
•  Proven ability to mentor and develop junior staff and work effectively across cultures and organizational boundaries.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of Romanian or another regional language would be an advantage.
•  Willingness to travel extensively across Romania, Bulgaria and the broader Europe region.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.