Regional Industry Manager

Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group (WBG) — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy, the outcome of which will be to double our volume of business by 2030 and triple the work we do in low-income countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict-affected States (FCS). To do so, IFC will need to deploy its full range of financing, mobilization, advisory, convening and thought leadership skills. This also calls for the need to generate our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and opportunities for the private sector and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. IFC has also been at the leading edge of catalyzing private capital for development. In an era of scarce public resources, those sums far exceed the capacity of governments, it’s imperative to create partnerships that bring together all the potential resources available for development— particularly from the private sector. IFC plays a critical role in forging such partnerships. Mobilizing capital from other investors— banks, international finance institutions, sovereign funds, pension funds, and other partners— is a key element of our strategy. For our co-investors, our involvement provides a more attractive balance of risk and return. 

IFC is seeking a Regional Industry Manager for its core Infrastructure operations in the following countries: China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Lao & Cambodia, and Mongolia. The position is based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Regional Industry Manager will be responsible for leading business development, transaction processing, and portfolio management for INR in the specified countries. She/he will also coordinate on a continuous basis with the Country Managers, the Asia Infrastructure Leadership team, the Asia INR Upstream and Cities Leads, as well as other relevant Departments/Divisions within IFC, such as Special Operations (CSO), Treasury, Legal, Risk, the Equity Desk, Environmental & Social, etc. She/he will have direct supervisory responsibility over the investment staff and other staff as determined. The Regional Industry Manager will report to the Regional Industry Director, INR Asia & Pacific.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Develop the strategy for IFC’s INR in the region, in partnership with the regional and industry management and relevant World Bank Group (WBG) colleagues, including key business goals for the INR regional investment program, with a focus on high impact projects and in line with IFC country strategies.
• Build and maintain high level relationships with clients in the region, understand sector trends, lead multidisciplinary teams to turn leads into deals that effectively balance IFC’s additionality, financial risks and rewards, sustainable development impact and opportunity for innovation and scalability.
• Lead business development efforts in the region, together with the regional/country teams, and global INR teams, manage selected INR client relationships and ensure high level of client satisfaction and program delivery within impact and profitability targets.
• Actively manage profitability for the INR business in the region, with strong revenue and net income generation for long-term financial sustainability.
• Assume the transaction manager role and provide credit and investment guidance to teams as well as quality control on teams’ output.
• Foster relationships with WBG counterparts to identify collaboration opportunities and to enhance business delivery at the country and regional levels.
• Ensure portfolio experience and perspective is fed into strategy development and business decision making, through sharing of lessons learned from the portfolio, producing benchmarking analytics, etc.
• Report on the profitability and development impact of the portfolio, and actively seek ways to optimize usage of economic capital and profitability performance, through sales, risk sharing or mobilization.
• Monitor the overall risk of the debt portfolio, ensure reviews for all active projects are completed on time and to the highest quality standard, and make recommendations on appropriate level of specific loan loss reserves.
• Actively manage the entire equity portfolio, both core and non-core, ensure equity management plans are developed and adhered to for all assets, including proposing and filling board seats with qualified candidates for strategic assets.
• Regularly review valuations, write-downs, exit strategies of the equity book, and develop a plan to sell less strategic assets to free up resources.
• Provide early warning for assets at risk and actively communicate with relevant colleagues regarding both debt and equity watch lists, ensuring close coordination on rescheduling and restructuring situations.
• Supervise compliance with IFC financial, environmental, legal, and other requirements.
• Lead and manage the unit and ensure the team is high-performing, well-motivated, and committed to the advancement of IFC’s strategic goals.
• Be part of, and actively contribute to, the regional leadership team and the global sector teams.
• Provide full range of administrative and HR Management oversight.

Selection Criteria:

• MBA or equivalent professional qualification and a minimum of 12 to 15 years relevant work experience (at least 2 of which must have been in a managerial or leading capacity)
• Familiarity with one or several sectors related to TMT, Energy, Transport, Utilities, and Sub-National Finance.
• Experience sourcing and structuring complex investment transactions in the INR sector with a proven track record and proven success in developing client relationships and processing quality investments, including PPPs; IDA/FCS experience would be a plus as well as hands-on experience with C&C (in upstream and through formerly known as InfraVentures)
• Experience addressing environmental and social sustainability issues and risks usually associated with projects in INR.
• Understanding of climate change developments and their impact on the INR sector and project financing; experience addressing decarbonization challenges in INR would be a plus.
• Experience with platform and wholesale approaches, with capital market transactions, and successful collaboration and JVs with MAS and FIG would be a plus; awareness of sustainability-linked frameworks and investments would be desirable.
• Strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude. Proven success in developing client relationships and executing quality investments.
• Good “deal sense” based on demonstrated strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo openly in order to build the business.
• High energy and ability to deliver high-quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives
• Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback; new ideas and ability to guide staff to solutions to problems; experience and comfort with lively debates and encouraging staff to speak up would be a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a leadership team of the Regional Industry Department
• Ability to work in the matrix as an integral part of both the INR Industry Department and the Asia Pacific Regional Department
• Demonstrated leadership skills and strong teamwork and communications in a highly diverse and dispersed team, and in a virtual environment.
• Ability to plan and manage staff to achieve high-quality results and encourage innovation in an open team-based environment, inspiring trust and influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries; experience in coaching staff and actively supporting staff professional development would be a plus.
• Meet Bank Group-wide managerial selection criteria including courage of your convictions, leading the team for impact, influencing across boundaries, fostering openness to new ideas, and building talent for the future.

Source:  https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27456&site=1