AD, Regional Head SSA&SEMED

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An international financial institution in London is seeking an Associate Director to lead fund investment activities across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Southeast Mediterranean. The role involves managing the investment cycle, supervising a team, and ensuring compliance with policies. Candidates should have over ten years of relevant experience, strong negotiation, stakeholder management skills, and an ability to mentor junior staff. This position offers a hybrid work environment and opportunities for significant market engagement.

Benefits

Hybrid workplace model

Comprehensive benefits package

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• 10+ years of fund investment experience, ideally in Africa.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Good command of French is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee fund investment activities in SSA and SEMED.
• Coordinate transaction teams and manage investment process.
• Monitor portfolio investments and manage stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Fund investment experience

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Coaching and mentoring

Quantitative/numerical skills

Relationship management

Education

Master's degree or relevant bachelor's degree

CFA or additional qualification

Job description

The Associate Director, Regional Head SSA and SEMED (the "AD") is, within the Funds Team (being part of the Equity Business Group), responsible for all aspects of the investment cycle (including origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring) of fund investments made by the Bank in funds with an investment geography covering Sub‑Saharan Africa ("SSA") and the Southeast Mediterranean ("SEMED"). The AD is also responsible for business/pipeline development, relationship management and policy dialogue. Externally, the AD represents the Bank with relevant fund managers, fellow‑investors, government authorities and other stakeholders; internally, the AD ensures that such investments are executed, implemented and monitored in line with applicable procedures, policies and strategies. The AD contributes to the Funds Team’s strategy and targets and leads direct reports and transaction teams, overseeing junior staff, providing coaching, mentoring and performance reviews.

The Funds Team is responsible for EBRD’s investments in funds. It makes commitments to commercially operating and financially return‑driven private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and other funds with a real asset strategy that invest in the EBRD countries of operations. From 2025 onwards, this includes countries in Sub‑Saharan Africa. The Fund Team also monitors these fund investments post‑commitment and manages a growing portfolio of more than 150 funds. The Fund Team operates like an institutional fund‑of‑funds manager or investor within the Bank.

The position is based at EBRD’s Headquarters in London. The AD has the flexibility to work partially remotely in accordance with EBRD’s applicable policies and will undertake frequent business travel to Africa and elsewhere.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Coordination of Fund Investment Activities in SSA and SEMED

• Be the go‑to knowledge base in relation to fund investments in SSA and SEMED.
• Coordinate the Funds Team’s activities in SSA and SEMED, irrespective of whether under the AD’s direct responsibility (sector agnostic funds) or of ADs responsible for other strategies (such as VC or Real Assets/Infrastructure).
• Maintain close relationship with EBRD’s offices in SSA and SEMED.

Structuring and Execution

• Lead and oversee the structuring, negotiation (including review of legal documentation) and execution of transactions, working with fund managers, external counsel, fellow DFIs/MDBs and other investors, consultants and internal units as applicable, taking responsibility for all aspects of the investment cycle work and ensuring that all transaction risks are properly identified and articulated.
• Manage the resources and the workload of the transaction teams under the AD’s supervision.
• Oversee the due‑diligence process ensuring it meets the Bank’s standards.
• Ensure that all transactions under the AD’s supervision are completed within the specified time frames to a high standard (including all internal memoranda and Board reports) and in line with the policies, procedures and objectives of the Bank.

Portfolio Monitoring

• Assume overall responsibility for the effective monitoring of all investments within the AD’s responsibility, including resolution of amendments, waivers and consents.
• Take the lead in maintaining or supervising the management of relationships with fund managers, fellow investors, etc.
• Actively manage or supervise the resolution of any monitoring issues.
• Represent the Bank on Limited Partner Advisory Committees and at investor events.

Business Development

• Take a proactive role in marketing and business development efforts in the relevant area of responsibility to build strong and reputable market contacts.
• Represent and promote the Bank through developing key relationships with senior‑level counterparts, attending industry events, conferences, meetings with fund managers, government authorities, investors, organisations, donors and business communities.
• Supervise the screening of the investment proposal flow, liaise with other colleagues and teams within the Bank to identify sound and executable investments that meet the requirements of the Bank’s mandate.

Staff Management

• Recruit, supervise, coach and guide junior bankers (or provide active support) and involve them in all aspects of the investment cycle, ensure adequate quality of work and appropriate workload distribution among the transaction team members; contribute to their professional and competency development.
• Develop productive relationships within the organisation to work effectively in a country/sector matrix structure and in a multi‑cultural working environment.
• Champion and role‑model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Policy Dialogue

• In cooperation with relevant units within the Bank, contribute to the Bank’s policy dialogue efforts in order to achieve the objectives defined in the relevant Country/Sector Strategy or Policy or Initiative.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree together with relevant professional experience and/or additional professional qualification such as CFA.
• At least ten years of fund investment and fund manager selection experience with a solid investment track record, ideally in Africa.
• Gravitas and representation skills.
• Relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent judgement of personalities, ability to identify key risks and soft risk factors.
• Strong quantitative/numerical skills to interpret financial information.
• Stakeholder management skills.
• Coaching, mentoring & leadership skills.
• Ability to work to deadlines and under time pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Good command of the French language is an advantage.

Experience & Knowledge

• Extensive experience of fund selection and investment experience from an institutional investor, fund‑of‑funds or multilateral/national financial institution in such capacity.
• Proven investment track record.
• Network of fund manager relationships on the African continent.
• Proven ability to manage relationships at a senior level and effective guidance and supervision of transaction teams.

Our Culture and Values

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.

What We Offer

• 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).