Senior Vice President Project & Acquisition Finance

Job Summary :

The incumbent will be primarily responsible for monitoring and supervising all Project & Acquisition Finance activities of the Group including the initiation, sourcing, preparation, processing and execution and distribution of Project & Acquisition Finance transactions for the Group’s Private, Corporate and Institutional (including Government) clientele. Thereby facilitating growth and expansion of the Corporate Banking business; the incumbent will also be responsible for catering to the financing requirements of complex long-term infrastructure, industrial and public utility projects where the Group is involved with other banks, financial institutions and investors.

The incumbent will act as the Transaction Lead who will be primarily responsible to ensure oversight and timely and proper execution of Global Structured Finance transactions assigned to him/ her by the EVP of Global Structured Finance, will also be responsible for undertaking special tasks and assignments given by the EVP of Global Structured Finance.

Main Responsibilities :

A. Shareholder & Financial:

• In co-ordination with the EVP Global Structured Finance, formulate and implement the strategies and plans to achieve all volume, revenue, and profit targets.
• Development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the purpose of periodic performance monitoring and quality measurement purposes of the Project & Acquisition Finance Unit.
• Meet target budgets for customer relationships with Project & Acquisition Finance related transactions in accordance with QNB’s overall Corporate budget and strategy.
• Manage all aspects of Project & Acquisition Finance loans, products and services to maximize product potential and profitability.
• Monitor the overall budget approved for the unit on regular basis.
• Implements KPI’s and best practices for SVP Project and Acquisition Finance
• Promote cost consciousness and efficiency and enhance productivity, to minimise cost, avoid waste, and optimise benefits for the bank.
• Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent and delegate authority to the respective staff and monitor exercise of the same.
• Demonstrate clear understanding of the important factors behind the bank's financial & non-financial performance

B. Customer (Internal & External):

• Initiate, maintain and strengthen relationships with banks, financial institutions, and project sponsors who are active in the Project & Acquisition Finance industry in order to position QNB for future business opportunities.
• Maintain good team work; provide support, assistance and cooperation with other members of the Global Structured Finance Department.
• Build and maintain strong and effective relationship with all other related units to achieve Group’s goals/objectives.
• Continually keep abreast with the local, regional and international financial markets and economic environment to be informed about potential Project & Acquisition Finance transactions that could translate into possible business opportunities for the Group.
• Provide timely and accurate information to the Group’s senior management, external and internal auditors and the Group’s compliance function when required.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with key players in the international Project & Acquisition Finance market to enhance their ability to serve customers’ requirements in an efficient and effective manner.
• Maintain and enhance relationships with all local banks and the leading regional and international banks that are active in the Project & Acquisition Finance field to explore additional business opportunities.
• Work with structuring teams and sales desk in order to determine optimal structure, price and go to market strategy for Project & Acquisition Finance deals.
• Actively work with Risk Managers in order to evaluate transactions and drive integration of Capital Markets into standard business processes.
• To assist customers in all their queries on Bank’s product and seek solution to their requests.
• Maintain activities in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with internal departments/units to achieve improvements in turn-around time.
• Build and maintain strong/effective relationships with related departments/units to achieve the Group’s objectives.
• Provide timely/accurate data to external/internal Auditors, Compliance, Financial Control and Risk when required

C. Internal (Processes, Products, Regulatory):

• Ensure the Project & Acquisition Finance transactions are structured, processed, documented and executed satisfactorily to meet Client and the Bank’s requirements.
• Ensure the Group’s interests are adequately safeguarded and compliance with relevant policies and regulations are met before recommending the granting of the credit
• Ensure proper evaluation of creditworthiness of borrowers and review structural soundness and economic and financial feasibility of the transaction.
• Ensure the existence of adequate and approved policies/ procedures to guide staff in their day-to-day activities and to ensure compliance with the same.
• Implement the ‘one-point of contact’ approach to respond to and resolve all customer needs and queries.
• Perform cross selling activities to enhance QNB’s overall relationship with customers by coordinating activities with other QNB units/ departments.
• Submit periodic MIS reports/ information to the EVP Global Structured Finance and to other Executive Management of the Group to inform them about the unit’s performance.
• Represent the Bank at professional and industry organizations/ venues to ensure dissemination of knowledge of QNB's offerings.
• Interpret and apply customer research and feedback into tangible product development initiatives by providing inputs to related division within the Bank.
• Review the credit worthiness of the other banks/ financial institutions involved in the Project & Acquisition Finance consortium.
• Liaise with the other parties of the consortium, which would be dependent on the role assigned to the Group within the consortium.
• Initiate timely correspondence with the other participants for their respective contributions where the Group is involved as the lead arranger.
• Ensure that the credit, country and counterparty limits approved by the Group Credit Committee are adhered to or the required approvals obtained for excesses, if any.
• Ensure availability of adequate securities/ guarantees and documentation to safeguard the Group’s interest before approving the grant of the credit.
• Perform comprehensive review of transactions, assign transaction ratings, make recommendations and present the proposals to the higher decision making authorities.
• Review the financial feasibility of the proposals based on analysis of the expected cash flows and other financial and economic data.
• Analyze transactions and recommend placement opinions for all domestic and international transactions.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Set examples by leading improvement initiatives through cross-functional teams ensuring successes.
• Identify and encourage people to adopt practices better than the industry standard.
• Continuously encourage and recognise the importance of thinking out-of-the-box within the team.
• Encourage, solicit and reward innovative ideas even in day-to-day issues.

D. Learning & Knowledge:

• Possess a prominent knowledge of the Project & Acquisition Finance business, its products and related risks together with a good knowledge of operations and control.
• Possess good knowledge and experience in preparation, negotiation, review, execution, monitoring and control of security and legal documentation.
• Identify areas for professional development of self and other staff.
• Proactively identify areas for professional development of self and undertake development activities.
• Seek out opportunities to remain current with all developments in professional field.
• Hold meetings with staff and assess their performance and your teams overall performance on a regular basis.
• Take decisive action to ensure speedy resolution of unresolved grievances or conflicts within the team members.
• Identify development opportunities and activities for staff and facilitate/coach them to improve their effectives and prepare them to assume greater responsibilities.

E. Legal, Regulatory, and Risk Framework Responsibilities:

• Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory and internal compliance requirements including, but not limited to, Group Compliance Policies and Procedures (AML & CTF, Sanctions Policy, Data Protection Policy, Fraud Control Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy, Conflict of Interest and Insider Dealing Policy).
• Understand and effectively perform your role under the Three Lines of Defence principle to identify measure, monitor, manage and report risks.
• Ensure systematic good outcomes for clients in accordance with Conduct Risk policy.
• Support the framework of RCSA, KRI, Incident reporting and remediation, as appropriate, in accordance with the Operational Risk Management requirements.
• Maintain appropriate knowledge to ensure full qualification to undertake the role.
• Complete all mandatory training provided by the Bank, attain, and maintain the required levels of competence.
• Attend mandatory (internal and external) seminars as instructed by the Bank.

F. Other:

• Ensure high standards of data protection and confidentiality to safeguard commercially sensitive information.
• Maintaining utmost confidentiality concerning customer and internal bank information obtained during the course of business and provide such information on a need to know basis only to Senior Management of QNB, Audit and Compliance functions, and relevant Regulators.
• Maintain high professional standards to uphold QNB's reputation and to strengthen its market leadership.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• University graduate (Bachelor/Master) with at least 15 years in banking with at least 5 years relevant experience in the Project & Acquisition Finance industry, preferably with regional Gulf and international experience. Masters preferred.
• Well-informed of the market competitive structure, industry practices and any regulations for the corporate banking customer segment especially as it relates to Project & Acquisition Finance.
• Specialized training in Project & Acquisition Finance.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (including report writing) in English.
• Excellent people relationship skills and awareness of risk management concept and practices.
• Understanding of the relevant laws, regulations and practices pertaining to Project & Acquisition Finance.
• Personal integrity and self-management.
• Outstanding problem solving and decision making skills.
• Planning, organizing and analytical ability.
• Ability to motivate and lead teams from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledge of structuring deals for Project & Acquisition Finance, analyzing such proposals including analysis of related project cash flows.
• Proficient in PC applications – Excel, Word, and Power Point.
• Proficient in preparation and utilization of Financial modeling.
• High degree of knowledge in preparation, negotiation and execution of legal and security documentation.

Note: you will be required to attach the following: