VP Project Finance / Credit Risk (2LoD)

Michael Page (UK); London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international bank is seeking a VP of Project Finance / Credit Risk to independently assess and manage credit risks for project finance transactions. This role emphasizes analytical rigor, stakeholder engagement, and governance, providing the opportunity to work within a market-leading project finance team. Competitive salary and benefits accompany this pivotal role critical to the bank's risk governance framework.

Benefits

Competitive salary and great team culture with low attrition

Comprehensive benefits package

Opportunity to work within a market leading project finance team

Exposure to complex and high-profile project finance transactions

Qualifications

• Experience in credit sanctioning and approvals is essential.
• Strong understanding of structured and project finance transactions.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and present to senior committees.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and challenge credit proposals ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Lead preparation of credit submissions for internal approval.
• Monitor portfolios for emerging risks and sectoral trends.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication

Technical Expertise

Judgement

Collaboration

Education

Minimum of 5 years in credit risk role

Job description

The VP Project Finance / Credit Risk (2LoD) plays a pivotal role in assessing and managing credit risks primarily related to project finance transactions, but understanding asset acquisition financing and asset finance (aviation, shipping and real estate) and related derivatives is an advantage. You'll play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the bank's risk governance framework

Client Details

This opportunity is with a well-established international bank who are a global leader in project finance - the team are considered to be a cornerstone of the bank's global structured finance operations and is widely recognised for its leadership and expertise in the EMEA region.

Description

As a VP on the team, you will have a lot of independence and autonomy, therefore you should be comfortable and have experience across the following:

• Independent Credit Assessment: Evaluate and challenge credit proposals submitted by the front office, ensuring alignment with internal risk appetite, regulatory expectations, and market best practices.
• Sanctioning & Approvals: Lead the preparation of credit submissions for internal approval committees, articulating clear recommendations supported by robust financial and structural analysis.
• Portfolio Oversight: Monitor a portfolio of counter-parties and transactions, identifying emerging risks, sectoral trends, and early warning indicators.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to origination and structuring teams, providing early-stage guidance on credit structuring, risk mitigation, and policy interpretation.
• Problem Credit Management: Participate in the review and resolution of under-performing or distressed exposures, collaborating with restructuring and legal teams as needed.
• Governance & Policy: Contribute to the development and refinement of credit risk policies, procedures, and frameworks to ensure consistency and regulatory compliance.

Profile

Minimum of 5 years in a credit risk role within a major financial institution, development bank, or credit rating agency, with demonstrable experience in credit sanctioning and approvals.

At VP level, the preferred candidates need to be able to demonstrate:

• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of structured and project finance transactions, including cash flow modelling, covenant analysis, and sector-specific risk factors (e.g., energy, infrastructure, transport).
• Analytical Skills: Ability to distil complex financial and legal information into concise, decision-ready credit papers.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and present to senior risk committees.
• Judgement: Proven ability to exercise sound judgement under pressure, balancing commercial considerations with prudent risk management.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset, with a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and ethical conduct.

Unlike front-office roles, this position allows you to focus on independent analysis and risk oversight without the pressure of deal origination. You'll collaborate closely with origination teams, but your role is to challenge, guide, and ensure sound credit decisions -ideal for professionals who enjoy analytical depth and strategic thinking.

Job Offer

• Competitive salary and great team culture with low attrition
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunity to work within a market leading project finance team
• Exposure to complex and high-profile project finance transactions.