Head, Project Finance at United Capital Plc

Job Description

The Head, Project Finance role at United Capital Plc is a senior leadership position responsible for driving the firm’s project and infrastructure finance business. The role focuses on originating and executing complex project finance transactions, strengthening relationships with sponsors, governments, lenders, and development partners, and advancing the organisation’s strategic objectives in infrastructure and structured finance.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy & Business Management

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Project Finance business in line with the firm’s investment banking and infrastructure strategy.
• Drive the achievement of approved revenue, mandates, and transaction origination targets.
• Translate Group and divisional objectives into executable business plans and performance metrics for the Project Finance team.
• Build, lead, and retain a high-performing team with strong technical, commercial, and ethical standards.
• Oversee team structure, capacity planning, performance management, training, and succession planning.
• Promote collaboration across Investment Banking and other subsidiaries including Asset Management, Securities, Trustees, and Wealth Management to deliver integrated financing solutions.
• Act as a senior representative in high-level strategic engagements with governments, sponsors, multilaterals, and regulators.

Project Finance Origination & Advisory

• Lead the origination of project finance and structured lending opportunities across sectors including infrastructure, energy, power, transport, oil & gas, telecoms, and industrials.
• Provide advisory support to project sponsors, developers, and governments on financing structures, risk allocation, and bankability.
• Lead the Project Finance workstream in pitches, proposals, and RFP responses, including financial structuring concepts and funding strategies.
• Participate in senior-level client engagements as the lead Project Finance specialist.

Transaction Structuring & Execution Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for structuring and execution of project finance transactions, including greenfield, brownfield, refinancing, and restructuring transactions.
• Set transaction strategy and execution approach in coordination with sponsors, lenders, and advisers.
• Oversee preparation and review of transaction documentation and financial models to ensure quality and consistency.
• Lead engagement with lenders, DFIs, ECAs, multilaterals, and other capital providers on structuring, documentation, and risk-sharing arrangements.
• Oversee discussions and reviews of financing agreements, security documents, and key project contracts.
• Provide escalation support and decision-making on complex execution matters.

Investor Engagement, Distribution & Market Development

• Develop and oversee lender engagement strategies for project finance transactions.
• Maintain and deepen senior-level relationships with DFIs, multilaterals, infrastructure funds, and commercial banks.
• Guide sponsor and borrower engagement, including lender presentations, due diligence processes, and credit negotiations.
• Represent the firm at infrastructure, energy, and project finance forums to enhance market visibility and thought leadership.

Regulatory, Risk & Governance Oversight

• Ensure compliance of all Project Finance activities with regulatory, credit, and internal risk management requirements.
• Uphold strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and responsible financing principles.
• Maintain high standards of integrity, professionalism, and risk management across all engagements.

Stakeholder Management & Internal Collaboration

• Provide regular updates to the Managing Director, Investment Banking on pipeline, mandates, execution status, and performance against targets.
• Serve as the primary internal point of accountability for Project Finance matters across the Group.
• Act as the senior interface between Project Finance and internal stakeholders across Investment Banking and other divisions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline from a reputable institution.
• Postgraduate degree (MSc or MBA) and/or professional qualifications such as CFA, ACA, or ACCA is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 12 years’ relevant experience in investment banking or related fields with significant exposure to project and infrastructure finance.
• At least 4 years in a senior leadership or management role within project finance, infrastructure finance, or investment banking.
• Proven track record in originating and executing project finance transactions across infrastructure or real asset sectors.
• Experience engaging with DFIs, multilaterals, lenders, sponsors, government entities, and regulators.
• Strong experience in financial modelling and transaction structuring.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Deep expertise in project finance, structured lending, and infrastructure finance.
• Strong understanding of project risk allocation, contractual frameworks, financial modelling, security structures, and cross-border transactions.
• Proven ability to originate, structure, and oversee execution of complex transactions across multiple sectors.
• Strong leadership and people management capability with experience building high-performing teams.
• Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional collaboration.
• Strategic thinking with strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• High ethical standards, strong governance mindset, and attention to detail.
• Clear and confident communication with strong presentation skills.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership
• Commercial Judgment
• Stakeholder Management
• Deal Structuring & Execution
• Credit & Risk Management
• Team Development
• Sector & Market Insight
• Decision-Making

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply by sending a CV and cover letter using “Head, Project Finance” as the subject line of the email.