Group SVP - Corporate Finance & Business Development

To be a transaction leader in charge of Group Corporate Finance & Business Development transactions and to take a senior leadership role in the implementation and review of business development projects from across the regions. 

The role demands a holistic understanding of the ports, economic zones, marine, and logistics businesses, with very high technical skills in project appraisal, corporate finance, project finance, capital structuring, and transaction documentation.  The job also needs a high level of understanding of commercial drivers of projects, and our key requirements from concessions and other elements of project structuring including JV arrangements and consolidation requirements.

To provide leadership, on the job training and guidance to more junior members of the team, and to work closely with senior management to develop and implement strategies for growth and expansion. The individual in this role will also be responsible for managing relationships with key stakeholders, including investors, lenders, and government officials. Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills are essential for success in this role. Additionally, the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment is crucial, as is the ability to think strategically and make sound business decisions.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

1. To be a transaction leader of the Corporate Finance & Business Development Function which includes:

• Playing a key role in driving the business development strategy for DP World.
• Representing DP World to senior external parties including Government Ministers, heads of port authorities, potential sellers and co-investors, and other senior political figures.
• Range of projects to include investment commitments for existing & new concessions, M&A, monetization & disposals, restructuring & capital raising.
• Developing and managing the strategy for DP World to enter key new markets.

1. Lead the execution of the Business Development process of key new projects and provide guidance to regional BD Function. 

• Presenting projects to the Board and ExCom and using relationships with key senior managers to win support for projects within the organisation.
• Identify potential investment projects and assess initial viability from a commercial, financial and strategic perspective
• Lead and mobilise internal resources to conduct detailed due diligence on the country, market, competitive environment, legal/regulatory environment, civil engineering issues, operational requirements and funding alternatives
• Represent DP World to external parties (port authorities, governments, corporate partners) in respect of substantial projects.
• Select and appoint external resources, including legal, tax, financial and engineering, as necessary 
• Prepare and/or review detailed financial models to project business performance and conduct sensitivity analyses in order to determine potential returns to DP World
• Identify and negotiate with potential equity partners
• Review and analyze tender documentation, including information memorandums, draft concession agreements, etc.

• Identify bid strategies and prepare legal submissions, including negotiating transaction documentation such as SPA, Shareholders Agremment, Concession Agreements etc.

  
  
• Acquire internal project approvals and prepare final presentation to Senior Management 
• Prepare recommendation for Board approval, if and when necessary
• Prepare handover files for the Regional Office responsible for the implementation of the new business unit
• Managing the process within the required timeframe
• Provide guidance and development for other team members allocated to the project
• Identifying and avoiding structures and agreements that may damage DP World’s reputation.

3. To provide oversight to the regions on their projects and their process through the DP World approval process.

• Ensuring projects submitted are in line with corporate strategy and internal valuation requirements 
• Projects not in line with strategy or corporate preferences are eliminated at the earlier opportunity.
• Liaise with internal and external resources as necessary to verify information presented and ensure that commercial, operational and financial assumptions are reasonable
• Providing clear recommendations to senior management of what projects are acceptable and what approach should be followed.
• Prepare recommendation for Board approval, if and when necessary
• Managing the process within the required timeframe

4. Lead efforts to raise external project finance for new business units and advising other team members (and regions) on issues faced in project finance.

• Supervise and review financial models that are appropriate for external lenders in order to determine the appropriate gearing level and optimum debt structure
• Co-ordinate the preparation of information memorandums for potential lenders that effectively describe the steps taken to take advantage of a projects inherent strengths and to mitigate any project weaknesses in order to obtain favourable debt terms, thereby maximizing the lift on the return on equity
• Select and appoint external resources, including legal, tax, financial and the various advisors required by lenders
• Participate in the selection of appropriate lenders, in conjunction with the DP World Treasury department, and lead the negotiation process to finalize the required finance agreements
• Advise the business unit finance director on the process to satisfy all the conditions precedent to financial close

• Prepare handover files for business unit finance director who will be responsible for the on-going administration of the loan facility.

  
  
  

5. Develop DP World “human capital” through involvement in informal and formal training seminars either as a participant or facilitator

6. Continuously improve Business Development policies and procedures used at Head Office and Regional Offices

• Valuation techniques and internal financial/strategic requirements

• Financial modelling best practices

• Investment case preparation and presentation

7. Assist in other corporate-level initiatives as required, such as supporting the development of corporate strategy

8. Train and develop junior members of the Head Office Corporate Finance & Business Development department 

Others:

• Accountable for leading an engaged team, providing direction and promoting collaboration while ensuring they are enabled to carry out the goals and objectives of the business 

• Promotes and demonstrates positive behaviours in harmony with DP World’s values and culture

• Ensure that the highest levels of safety are applied in all activities.

• Understands and adheres to DP World’s Code of Conduct and Ethics policies

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

   

   

  JOB CONTEXT:

• The Head Office Corporate Finance & Business Development department has a global responsibility particularly with respect to investment review, strategic portfolio management, project financing and other corporate initiatives. 

• It is essential to develop a personal network within DP World in order to effectively perform this role.

  QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

• QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum requirement of a Bachelors degree in fields such as Management, Commerce, Law, Economics, Accounting or Mathematics

• Masters in Business Administration (or similar) and/or financial accreditations are preferable

  
  

• EXPERIENCE:

• 10 plus years’ experience in investment evaluation and project management

• 5 plus years experience in the ports industry

• 10 plus years’ experience in an international and/or multicultural environment

  
  

• SKILLS:

• Business acumen: identify key revenue and cost drivers and understand their impact on an overall business case

• Financial analysis: Excellence in understanding complex financial models to determine the accuracy of projections and potential value of a project to DP World

• Communication: Be able to represent DP World in a range of environments from counterparty negotiating meetings to more sales focused pitches for projects.  Also be able to make strong internal presentations necessary to gain support for projects and to communicate the concerns with less favourable projects. 

• Relationship building: interact effectively with multiple levels of DP World, senior government officials and external advisors/consultants

• Multilingual: multiple language skills are preferable (Arabic, French, Spanish, etc.)

• OTHERS

• Willingness to travel to emerging market countries is required