First Vice President, Client Services Group  

Role Overview 

The FVP leads and manages the Client Services Group, which combines Banking and Policy and Partnerships and has overall responsibility for all Banking operations (for those banking operations reporting directly to them and those reporting to the VP Banking) and the delivery of transition impact in the Bank’s countries of operations. This means being accountable for and supervising the activities of the largest department of the Bank accounting for over half the organisation’s headcount with approximately 2000 people. Staff are based at the Headquarters in London and across a network of resident offices in the EBRD’s countries of operations.

The First Vice President (FVP) is the deputy to the President, reports directly to the President of the Bank and chairs meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee when the President is not available.

The FVP is responsible for the full integration of Banking and Policy objectives so that investments, policy engagement, and advisory services go hand in hand, to deliver the maximum transition impact in EBRD’s countries of operations.

As part of an integrated management team, the FVP works towards delivering the Bank’s Strategic Capital Framework, which includes the delivery of the approved transformation agenda for the SCF period and the Strategy Implementation Plan.

Facts/Scale

The Bank’s annual financing commitments cover loans, equity investments and guarantees the vast majority of which is directed to the private sector. The Bank’s annual business volume is around 13 billion euro, and its overall portfolio of around 2300 active transactions totals over 56 billion euro. EBRD concludes about 460 new transactions each year. Client Services Group is a matrix organised department and is structured into sector, regional and policy and partnerships business groups. The Vice President for Banking, the Vice President for Policy and Partnerships, and other posts as required, report to the FVP.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables 

The FVP has overall responsibility for the formulation, communication and implementation of the Client Services Group business plan covering investment, advisory and policy engagement operations.

The FVP has overall strategic and operational responsibility and accountability for the following:

• The joined-up delivery of the Bank’s investments and advisory services and policy engagement in the Bank’s countries of operations across sectors, products and initiatives;
• The quality, impact, and profitability of the Bank’s equity investments;
• The formulation, delivery and oversight of the strategy and business plan of the Client Services Group;
• The integrity and independence of the assessment of transition gaps and transition impact of the Bank’s operations and overseeing refining and implementing the Bank’s results framework, ensuring that the Bank’s activities progress the Bank’s mandate, are commercially sound and additional to the private sector;
• The mobilisation and management of donor funds, including the nuclear safety account, and the Bank’s engagement with key external stakeholders and organisations
• The refining and implementation of the Bank’s results framework, ensuring that the Bank’s operations are not only commercially sound but have the best possible impact on people’s lives. This means ensuring not only that our activities are additional to the private sector but also that they move forward the Bank’s transition mandate, environmental considerations, and social inclusion, integrating aspects such as inclusiveness and gender.

The FVP is also responsible for:

• With the assistance of the VP, Policy and Partnerships, and VP Banking, the First Vice President engages in policy dialogue with the authorities in the countries of operations and maintains the relationship with the business and political community at the highest level.
• In co-ordination with the President, the First Vice President represents the Bank in high level business and political fora.
• The First Vice President interacts with the members of the Board and actively participates in the Board Meetings with the President, as well as chairing meetings and workshops. They shall deputise when the President is absent and, in this capacity, may also be required to chair meetings of the Board of Directors as well as the Executive Committee.
• Effective leadership, motivation, and management of the staff in Client Services Group to deliver on annual and strategic objectives to the highest possible service standards, whilst fostering a culture of openness, respect for diversity, inclusion, speaking up, and innovation.
•  Identifying with diversity as a strategic imperative and, with senior management colleagues, promoting the value of diversity throughout the organisation.
• Establishing and maintaining, within their extensive international network and together with direct reports, highly respected and collaborative relationships at the most senior levels in counterparty international institutions in order to remain apprised of global best practice in all areas of responsibility.
• In co-ordination with VP, Banking, lead in a collegial manner the integration between the Sector and COOs Business Group’s activities to ensure optimal use of the Bank’s resources and appropriate reflection of business-group goals in country strategies, in line with the matrix organisation structure.
• The FVP is required to discharge their responsibilities ensuring that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times in accordance with the Code of Conduct for EBRD Personnel and to foster commitment to the values, reputation, integrity, and mission of the Bank. Ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are always exhibited.

Internal Committees: 

The FVP is a member of the Executive Committee and other leadership fora. The FVP is Chair of the Bank’s Operations Committee and the Equity Committee. In addition, the FVP will chair or be a member of other committees for matters falling in the FVP’s areas of responsibility. 

Essential Skills, Experience & Qualifications 

Business Expertise

• Extensive relevant international experience, preferably in a major merchant/investment, commercial or development bank, with significant exposure to the EBRD region.
• A proven professional track record, in wholesale financing and investments on an international scale, including in emerging markets (essential), which will have included a significant focus on business operations in the private sector with corporate and financial institutions.
• A proven track record in principal investing and lending to private and public sector borrowers across a wide range of industries and with an excellent understanding of transition economics and risk dynamics.
• Extensive experience in institutional and policy dialogues at high level with governments, corporations, civil society, and other external and internal stakeholders (as applicable).
• A keen understanding of the Bank’s mandate and policy issues, and a high level of commitment and energy to deliver its ambitious business and transition objectives, combined with the willingness to travel extensively.
• Extensive international experience and contacts in the business community, and a capacity to develop and maintain relationships with company Chairs, CEOs, and the highest level of government officials.
• Highly developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with senior counterparts, both internal and external.
• Strong general business acumen.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to represent the Bank at international fora, including presenting to large multi-cultural audiences and the media. Strategic Thinking
• Excellent strategic thinking skills an ability to translate concepts and general policy direction into workable and sustainable long-term strategies.

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Leadership & Management

• Demonstrable experience of high-level leadership and a track record in successful change management to lead and motivate a group of highly qualified international professionals in a multicultural, results-oriented organisation as EBRD adapts to the future.
• Demonstrable corporate behaviour and track record of being part of a cohesive executive leadership team, encompassing experience of change management.
• Strong partnership skills to enable positive engagement and contribution to the Executive Committee, and other senior management committees, to contribute to the cohesiveness of the Bank’s senior management and its drive behind the EBRD’s continuous improvement programme.
• Strong leadership, management and communication skills combined with an ability to motivate highly skilled senior professionals to deliver business objectives effectively in a multi-cultural, diverse, results oriented organisation.

Personal Attributes

• An Individual with strong personal integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Strong inter-personal skills, corporate behaviour, and track record in being part of a cohesive and collective decision-making body and ability to build positive relationships by promoting co­ operation internally and externally.
• Knowledge of a language or languages of Bank member countries, in addition to English, would be desirable.
• Commitment to serve a full four-year term.

This scope of this role is dynamic and is not limited to responsibilities set out above. It will evolve over time and as a result of further organisation reviews.

Please note that we are working with an external search firm Russell Reynolds in the recruitment for this position. By applying for this position, you are consenting to your details being shared with a third party. If you have any queries in relation to this role, please mention in the email subject “EBRD First Vice President, Client Services Group” and contact 

What is it like to work at the 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. 

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;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital  transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. 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, sexual orientation or disabilities.  As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.

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).

Right to Work in the UK: Swiss nationals (and all other non-UK employees) can work in the UK without a Visa – working at the EBRD gives all employees “exempt status”. The Bank however encourages all non-UK employees to obtain an Exempt Vignette (EV) prior to relocating to the UK, as without an EV you may face more questions at Border Control and when required to show evidence of their exempt status when renting accommodation under the Right to Rent legislation. The application process may take 3 – 4 weeks approx. outside of the UK. 

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