Associate Director Sustainable Finance

At Rabobank, our commitment to our employees and clients is at the heart of everything we do.

As the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking, one of our key strengths lies in our people who have a deep understanding of agriculture and are committed to adding long-term value for clients.

Our culture is unique, because every day our people work knowing that we are all playing our part in supporting our farmers to feed the world. We strive to create an open, balanced, and flexible workplace where people feel that they belong, can be open and honest and are supported…we are focused on growing each other.

About the role 

As the Associate Director Sustainable Finance, you will be part of the Sustainable Finance team that supports in delivering sustainable financing solutions to Wholesale clients in Australia & New Zealand active in the food and agriculture sectors in collaboration with coverage bankers and product teams, as it works across the broad range of products within Core Lending, Structured Lending, Markets and Advisory & Investments (where applicable). The main focus will be on supporting the coverage and product teams to originate, structure and execute sustainability-based transactions and implement sustainability related propositions. You will make a difference acting as Sustainability Coordinator on transactions with all aspects that come with that role – including complying with internal governance - and assist clients with their sustainability journeys ahead.

The role will closely collaborate with all relevant stakeholders including coverage bankers, product heads as well as all other sustainability related stakeholders both regional as well as global.

Some of the key responsibilities include: 

• Support coverage and product teams to originate, structure and execute sustainability workstreams in relation to all types of sustainable financing solutions for Wholesale clients in Australia and New Zealand, including acting as sustainability coordinator on mandated processes and ensuring all transactions are in line with the internal Sustainable Finance Framework, all in close collaboration with the coverage bankers, credit and product teams
• Support sustainable finance transactions and propositions to a successful close, including negotiation of legal documentation on the sustainability clauses, collaboration with second party opinion providers and other external advisors involved in such process. Support on internal procedures including Sustainable Finance Panel submissions and alignment of structures with Rabobank’s Sustainable Finance Framework
• Support in preparing client presentation on sustainability subjects including peer benchmarking, data analysis, development in regulatory and reporting frameworks
• Be an active part of the regional sustainable finance team and in ensure enhancement of the external and internal profile of Rabobank as a leader in sustainable finance and sustainable business development
• Collaborate and build relationship with external partnership such as ESG agencies, sustainability working groups and various industry associations
• Work together with internal stakeholders - including both regionally as globally - on the broad range of sustainability opportunities and propositions, including climate risk, group sustainability, sustainable business development, sustainable capital market, Food System Transitions, Carbon Bank etc.
• Providing relevant and regular industry updates on sustainability or sustainable finance topics to all wholesale staff by sharing latest market developments and other industry news
• Interact with other sustainable finance teams both globally as well as locally to align and accelerate sustainable finance opportunities and propositions across Wholesale and Rural clients.
• Preparing process and pipeline reports on sustainability business developments
• Contribute to group projects when required for senior staff including head of wholesale, senior bankers or other executive and leadership team members
   

To be successful you will have:

• Degree in Finance, Economics, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Sustainability or another related field.
• Experience in food & agriculture, Sustainability, Banking or Business. Experience with banking products is a plus
• Experience in sustainability or sustainable finance is a plus
• Awareness and understanding of F&A and sustainable developments
• Awareness and good understanding of Sustainable Finance related principles, guidelines and market developments
• Substantial experience working on cross-functional, cross-disciplinary projects in a commercial environment.
• Project management and strategic planning and execution skills
• Superior written and verbal communication skills and ability to tell a story

What we're proud to offer you: 

Rabo@Anywhere is our hybrid way of working at Rabobank and for Australia, that means we have a blend of time working between the office and home.  

Wellbeing leave. These leave days support greater work/life balance and is just another way we are helping our employees to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. 

Education Assistance Program. Rabobank values the development of its people and has a great Education Assistance Program to assist with professional development. 

Parental Leave that supports you and your family while giving you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy this special time (up-to 14 weeks paid leave) 

Bonus and Additional Leave. We realise sometimes 4 weeks Annual Leave isn't enough! At Rabobank we provide an incentive for eligible employees to receive 1 extra week Annual Leave and an option to purchase another 2 weeks Annual Leave. 

Extra Insurance. Rabobank recognises that employees need to protect their financial wellbeing, in the event of serious illness, injury, or even death. Rabobank provides eligible permanent employees with employer-funded Death, TPD and Income Protection Insurance. 

Rabo Workplace Giving program. As part of Rabobank's global Corporate Social Responsibility, Workplace Giving aims to encourage employees to contribute to our community. Rabo Workplace Giving program matches employee donations to selected Social Partners.

Our Values:

Rabobank Australia values inclusion, belonging, and positive experiences for all. Our work environment, our benefits, and the way we live our values, “Client Driven”, “Responsible”, “Professional” and “Cooperative” make it a great place to work. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. 

Please let our Talent Acquisition team know if you need any accommodations to make our opportunities more accessible to you. 

Rabobank is not accepting submissions from recruitment agencies for this role. 

Applicants must hold valid work rights for this role.