Senior Regional Manager

Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental export agency is looking for a Senior Regional Manager based in Johannesburg, South Africa. This role involves leading business development in Sub-Saharan Africa and managing relationships with financial professionals. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in relationship management and commercial finance, as well as advanced English proficiency. This position entails strategic planning and implementation of financial solutions for Canadian companies in the region.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in finance and relationship management.
• Advanced proficiency in English (writing, reading, and speaking).
• Proven track record of developing and managing strategic relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead EDC’s business development efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Manage relationships with C-suite financial professionals.
• Provide insights to EDC Management about local market needs.

Skills

Strategic relationship management

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university

Combination of education, training, work experience

Job description

Overview

The Embassy of Canada in South Africa is seeking to hire a Senior Regional Manager at the LE-M1 level within the Export Development Canada Section, located in the Canadian Consulate in Johannesburg.

Export Development Canada (EDC) is Canada’s export credit agency, offering innovative financial and commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC’s financing, guarantee, insurance and knowledge products are used by more than 10,000 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year.

EDC is a Crown corporation, wholly owned by the Government of Canada, is financially self-sustaining, and is a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis. While headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, EDC has a worldwide presence.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Under the leadership and guidance of the Regional Vice-President, the Senior Regional Manager is responsible for leading EDC’s business development efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa including strategic relationship management and implementation of EDC’s business strategy and country plan.
• Leading discussions with C-suite financial professionals that fit EDC’s suite of financial solutions toward initiating new relationships;
• Handling incoming enquiries from both Canadian exporters / investors and African companies to find financial solutions to enable Canadian companies to expand in Africa;
• Providing insights to Senior EDC Management into the needs of the local market in terms of innovative solutions to meet country specific and regional business needs.
• Providing advice and recommendations on investments and business opportunities for Canadian companies in local market and ensures team members’ approach is aligned with EDC strategy and philosophies.
• Providing oversight and leadership of the development and implementation of sales and client engagement initiatives in South Africa and countries under the Chief Representative responsibility. Additionally, as the EDC Johannesburg office evolves over time, this position may be required to provide guidance, performance management and leadership to direct reports and cover other countries in the region.
• Pro-actively manage accounts of key buyers, borrowers and market intermediaries, and contribute to the systematic management of EDC’s Canadian accounts active or interested in African markets.

The Senior Regional Manager is also responsible for building and managing the brand image and reputation of EDC in the market and for managing the Corporation’s relationship with the Canadian Government, in respect to South Africa.

Area of Selection

This position is open to all applicants eligible to legally work in South Africa, who meet the essential qualifications and conditions of employment, and whose applications are received by the closing date and time.

Please note that the Embassy of Canada in South Africa does not sponsor work permits directly or indirectly.

The Government of Canada is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse sections of the community. Candidates will be considered based on merit. Our organization offers an inclusive workplace where respect, teamwork, and collaboration are part of our culture. Canada’s missions abroad are committed to promoting and supporting an environment free from harassment and discrimination, as well as encouraging and supporting employees to learn and develop their skills and competencies.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates will initially be screened against the Essential Qualifications relating to education, language* and experience.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate when applying to the position how they meet each of these essential qualifications.

*Language will be assessed further during the process.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university

or

An acceptable combination of education, training and work experience related to the duties and specific areas of competence required by the position, including but not limited to business or economics. An acceptable combination is defined as a diploma or degree requiring a minimum of 2 years of full-time study combined with 3 additional years of relevant experience as outlined below in the experience section.

Language:

• Advanced proficiency in English (writing, reading, and speaking).

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience (or 10 years, depending on educational qualifications) in a strategic relationship management role with capital providers or financial intermediaries, including experience in commercial/corporate lending and/or structured project finance deal structuring;
• Demonstrated experience in working with large corporates, or Government or state-owned enterprises in Africa across a spectrum of industry sectors on new financing opportunities;
• Relevant professional experience in using influencing, negotiating, relationship management skills, presentation skills, and public speaking;
• A proven track record of developing and managing strategic relationships.

RATED REQUIREMENTS

The Rated Requirements are part of the essential qualifications and are relating to knowledge, abilities and competencies. Methods of assessment for rated requirements may include, but are not limited to, a written examination, an oral interview online, pre-recorded or in-person, role-play, practical tests, presentations and/or psychometric assessment.

Knowledge:

• Solid knowledge of local business culture, African corporate finance practices, and banking and financial institutions environments.
• Solid knowledge of international capital markets with a focus on international trade financing.
• Solid knowledge of the Canadian export and investment opportunities in Africa.

Competencies:

• Working with Others
• Client Orientation
• Judgment and Discretion
• Resilience and Adaptability

Abilities:

• Ability to structure loans and financial instruments in order meet the client’s needs, as well as a financial institution’s (such as EDC) internal credit, mandate, ESG, etc.
• Ability to work independently in a proactive and accountable manner
• Ability to develop and maintain a network of clients, local contacts and influencers
• Ability to identify local market needs and relevant business opportunities.
• Ability to conduct research and analysis and provide strategic advice.
• Ability to manage multiple projects / priorities with tight deadlines.

Asset Qualifications:

• Deep understanding of underwriting practices, with strong familiarity in common financing structures and transactions, including risk assessment, deal structuring, and financial analysis.
• Evidence of deep networks in African corporations
• Full familiarity with the interpretations and analysis of company’s financial and cashflow statement.
• Strong appreciation and working knowledge of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
• Working proficiency in French (writing, reading, and speaking).

Operational Requirements:

• Hours of work: Normal hours of work for this position are in accordance with Locally-Engaged Staff regulations of 37.5 hours per week.
• Please note that this position is strictly office-based; remote work or telecommuting is not operationally feasible.
• Travel Requirements: Ability to travel throughout Africa, and to the United Kingdom and Canada, as required.
• Ability to work outside regular business hours when required for events and to work with virtual teams.

Conditions of Employment:

Conditions of employment must be met or complied with before being appointed to a particular position, and are to be maintained throughout the employment while being the incumbent of this position.

• Valid work authorization: Ability to obtain and hold a valid work authorization covering the entire employment period.
• Security screening: Obtain and maintain a Reliability Status (security level) which includes a criminal and credit background check from the Government of Canada covering the entire employment period.
• Other conditions of employment:
• Ability to meet the medical requirements as defined by the employer. Successful candidate(s) may be required to undergo a medical evaluation

How to Apply

• You must submit your application using the "Apply online" function. Only applications submitted via VidCruiter will be considered, unless a valid reason is presented and accepted prior to the closing date.
• Do not include personal data such as; age, date of birth, gender, marital status, family status, religion or a picture in your application form, CV nor cover letter (as required). Please only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the job poster.
• You must clearly demonstrate in answering the screening questions how you meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential and asset qualifications. You must provide specific examples to demonstrate clearly how you meet the qualifications. Global Affairs Canada cannot make any assumptions about your studies nor experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing your current duties will not be sufficient. Instead, you must provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the experience. No additional information will be sought beyond what you submit in your online application.
• Candidates may be required to upload a CV and/or a cover letter in English or French. These documents may be used as a secondary source to validate the answers to the screening questions.
• Applications which do not include all of the requested documents or information and/or which are not received by the closing date will be rejected.
• Candidates who are unable to submit their application due to technical difficulties must report these to [e-mail] prior to the closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being rejected.