Associate Director, Head of Project Preparation and Implementation

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; City Of London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An international financial institution is seeking an Associate Director, Head of Project Preparation and Implementation to manage infrastructure projects. The role involves leadership of the Project Preparation framework and significant external engagement with financial institutions. Candidates should have excellent people management and negotiating skills, a Master's Degree in engineering or related fields, and experience in the infrastructure sector.

Benefits

Hybrid workplace

Competitive benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in public sector, consulting, and/or private sector.
• Knowledge of infrastructure sector of IFIs.

Responsibilities

• Manage PPI staff at both functional and operational levels.
• Ensure timely delivery of PPI’s annual workflow.
• Coordinate SIG’s participation in international infrastructure meetings.

Skills

People management skills

Negotiating skills

Deep sector knowledge of infrastructure

Communication skills

Education

Master’s Degree in planning, engineering, or economics

Job description

Purpose of Job

The Associate Director, Head of Project Preparation and Implementation (PPI) is responsible for managing the delivery of the Sustainable Infrastructure Group (SIG) sector and procurement specialists inputs into projects, running the Project Preparation framework (PPF), designing transition concepts and coordinating joint collaborative work with IFIs, international agencies, and the private sector.

Internally, the role requires frequent interaction with both the Director, SI3P; the Managing Director for SIG and the SIG team Directors (regional infrastructure and energy teams) regarding business delivery and strategic initiatives. Support provided to SIG banking teams includes project preparation, due diligence and implementation and operational stage monitoring and supervision. The PPI team is also responsible for providing technical and digitalisation support for the EBRD Green Cities programme and specifically to Green Cities Action Plans (GCAPs) in liaison with the Green Cities team. It also requires frequent interaction with economists from VP3 on the development of transition impact, especially for Frameworks and Integrated Approaches, as well as liaising with PSD team, Donor Partnerships and the SI3p Grant Unit related to the SI3P’s Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (IPPF). PPI specialists will also frequently liaise with ESD and VP3 for the purposes of GET and Paris Agreement alignment assessments for SIG projects.

Externally, the role involves the articulation of the Bank’s project-level policy actions across the infrastructure and energy sectors with other IFIs, development agencies, and other external bodies as needed. This includes representing the Bank at international fora, conferences and events to position the EBRD and disseminate its infrastructure agenda internationally. In addition, the role includes frequent dialogue with other IFIs and IOs, particularly the World Bank Group and the Regional MDBs, regarding the joint preparation of projects, other activities and knowledge sharing related to large, complex projects and initiatives under consideration for multi-source financing.

Background

SIG delivers approximately 120 signed projects per year in the energy, transport and municipal infrastructure sectors, for a total of around EUR 5 billion in annual business volume. These projects are undertaken across all countries of operation of the Bank, supported by many different technical cooperation activities each year. SIG also carries out planning, training and capacity building and various upstream strategic activities related to key sector issues, that seek to unlock greater potential for commercialised and provide-sector led projects in the sector.

Under the PPF, projects are prepared in a manner that fits the transition-driven mandate of the Bank in the infrastructure and energy sectors, namely, to deliver outcomes focused on commercialised approaches, private sector participation, strong environmental and social standards and energy efficiency improvements across the sectors.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The role of Associate Director, Head of Project Preparation and Implementation is created to provide management, leadership and coordination of SIG’s specialists and PPF procurement managers so that strategy and planning, project preparation, technical due diligence, and sector-level IFI coordination can be efficiently achieved to deliver SIG’s business targets in line with the transition mandate of the Bank.

Management Level

• Manage all PPI staff at both functional and operational level, including inputs to remuneration reviews.
• Recruit, supervise, motivate, train and mentor high calibre staff within agreed processes and practices to manage a steady flow of qualified core talent pool.
• Conduct appraisals, and set and negotiate annual targets for PPI staff, secondees and long-term consultants.
• Directly accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of the PPI 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.

Process and Business Delivery

• Ensure high-quality and timely delivery of the PPI’s annual work flow.
• Coordinate and manage the development of robust transition agendas for SIG projects, in conjunction with teams in SIG and VP3 to ensure consensus for SIG’s teams, and to facilitate discussion of substantive issues on TI between Banking and VP3.
• Manage the technical, sector-based inputs to project preparation, including responsibility for timely and high-quality preparation of both pre- and post-signing TCs.
• Coordinate project-level policy activities with regional banking teams and all other relevant EBRD departments.

External Business Development and International Coordination

• Organise and coordinate SIG’s hosting and/or participation in major international infrastructure meetings (e.g. International Transport Forum; International World Water Congress).

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Very good people management skills and experience
• Very good negotiating skills
• Deep sector-knowledge of infrastructure sector with regard to project preparation, planning, regulation, institutional arrangements, and implementation
• Requires a minimum of a Master’s Degree in planning, engineering, or economics, with a particular specialisation in infrastructure sector(s)
• A mix of public sector, consulting, and/or private sector experience working for an infrastructure operator or construction company is preferred
• Knowledge of and experience in the infrastructure sector of IFIs is an asset
• This role requires the post-holder to embrace a ‘change-agent’ role, with regard to the quality of communication with departments outside of SIG.

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).