Executive Director Project Finance

Vacancy: Executive Director, Project Finance Europe

Location: London, UK

Department: Project Finance

Grade: Executive Director

What we are looking for

Rabobank is seeking a highly experienced Executive Director in Project Finance to continue our success in delivering and shaping the European energy transition and digital transformation by delivering high‑impact financings.

As an Executive Director you will lead the origination, structuring, and execution of large‑scale transition investments ranging from tens of millions to multi‑billion‑dollar transactions and will work on a diverse scope of deals across Western Europe; think onshore wind in Ireland, batteries in the UK, electric trains in France, solar in Italy, datacentres in Germany or sustainable heating and geothermal in the Netherlands. Rabobank was the first bank to finance offshore wind in 2006, was a frontrunner in renewable energy financings involving merchant risk, and is a leading bank in the financing of battery storage projects. In 2025, Rabobank PF closed over 60 new transactions, representing more than EUR 3 billion of new financings. Clients value Rabobank Project Finance for its high‑calibre professionals and their strong structuring, arranging and execution capabilities.

The successful candidate will be highly skilled in managing sophisticated stakeholder relationships, navigating complex deal dynamics, and driving transactions from early‑stage origination through financial close. They will be recognised for combining strategic vision with hands‑on execution, bringing commercial rigour, sound judgement, and strong client leadership to projects that enable sustainable growth and long‑term value creation, aligning with Rabobank’s mission to grow a better world together.

Core results

• Close complex financings that enable large‑scale renewable energy generation or critical digital infrastructure.
• Build strong client relationships resulting in long‑term partnerships that accelerate sustainable or digital investments across multiple European jurisdictions.
• Achieve repeat mandates through efficient deal execution and timely stakeholder internal and external stakeholder management, driving strong risk‑return outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Active business development across the energy transition and/or digital infrastructure sectors, leveraging and expanding your network to originate, structure and execute complex project finance transactions, leading the entire deal process and ensuring compliance with Rabobank's corporate standards throughout.
• Partner at a senior level with Project Finance Europe leadership and deal teams across Rabobank, coordinating closely with internal stakeholders and clients to originate and deliver complex transactions, with regular engagement across the UK, Netherlands and key European markets.
• Initiate, sponsor, and lead cross‑functional working groups to assess market developments, shape strategic priorities, and drive continuous improvement in the organisation, governance, and long‑term capability development of the Project Finance platform.

Why This Role Matters

Europe’s Project Finance focus is rapidly growing, driven by demographic shifts, aging infrastructure, and climate imperatives, this is a pivotal London‑based role, strategically positioned to strengthen and scale the project finance function. In addition, the Project Finance Europe team is part of a global Project Finance community within Rabobank that consists of more than 100 individuals across Utrecht, New York, Singapore, Santiago and Sydney.

Rabobank’s 2025–2030 Business Plan sets out a focused strategy to support financially robust, sustainability‑driven clients across Project Finance and other sectors. Our selective, risk‑conscious approach prioritises companies who meet Risk, Return & Sustainability (RR&S) criteria, helping to build a resilient and future‑proof Europe. Rabobank PF has been a leading bank in the renewable energy sector for many years, successfully closing numerous solar, wind and battery transactions across Europe, including a significant number in leading roles.

Skills & Experience Required

• Our ideal candidate will be managing (or have managed) a portfolio of clients, a proven track record in client onboarding, strategic relationship management, cross‑sell, and risk management with large Project Finance sponsors.
• Demonstrable experience in leading, originating, structuring and executing project finance transactions across Western Europe.
• A relevant client network across the energy transition and/or digital infrastructure sectors in the Western European region.
• Commercial drive and a cooperative, can‑do attitude.
• Solid business development and analytical skills, strong risk awareness, solution‑oriented.
• Strong knowledge of project due diligence.
• Experience with financial modelling, (credit) risk analysis, and legal documentation.
• Strong leadership qualities—and you’re someone people enjoy working for.

About Rabobank UK

Rabobank UK is the London branch of Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., a Dutch multinational cooperative bank headquartered in Utrecht. The UK office focuses on serving corporate clients, with expertise in:

• Corporate lending and structured finance.
• Leveraged finance.
• Project finance.
• Treasury and risk management.
• Capital markets.
• M&A advisory.

Rabobank UK’s focus reflects Rabobank Group’s global strategy to be a leading financial partner in the Food & Agri sector, while also supporting the Energy Transition, and expanding into Banking for Europe’s Fundamental Sectors.

You will be based in the heart of the City of London, and be responsible for managing Rabobank’s most strategic Project Finance relationships. You will be part of the broader European Project Finance team and report to the Head of PF Northern Europe.

Collaboration is central to our success. You’ll work closely with risk management, supported by a pool of dedicated deal execution colleagues, credit analysts, and business development professionals, which are all based in Utrecht. As you are part of the European Project Finance team in Utrecht, you will be required to be physically present in Utrecht for 3 office days (i.e. Monday to Wednesday) every 6 to 8 weeks.

What we offer you

We provide a collaborative and supportive environment where senior bankers can thrive. You will have the professional autonomy and entrepreneurial scope to shape strategy, deliver transformative outcomes, and inspire high‑performing teams—while maintaining a healthy work–life balance. This is an opportunity to innovate, influence, and make a lasting impact within an organisation committed to excellence, growth, and sustainable success.

We work flexibly at Rabobank, combining the benefits of working at the London office and working from home, allowing the best of both worlds to come together.

Benefits for this role include

• A competitive salary.
• A discretionary annual bonus.
• 30 days’ holiday, plus the option to buy additional 5 days.
• Company pension scheme plus other financial benefit schemes.
• Private medical insurance, regular health screening checks plus other health benefits.
• A range of family friendly policies and lifestyle benefits.
• Salary sacrifice schemes – cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice.
• Plus, many more incentives

As well as helping our clients to grow their businesses, we are fully committed to growing our people to make them the best that they can be. We embrace differences and strive to create a truly inclusive work culture, based on trust and respect for all. A place where everyone can be themselves and bring their whole selves to work along with their unique experiences, background, and expertise. We strive to empower our people to focus on their wellbeing, by providing a range of resources that will enable them to flourish both in and outside of the workplace. Our ambition is to maintain sustainable, meaningful, and collaborative working environments so that our people understand how they contribute to our vision and overall mission, they can be healthy at work and bring the best version of themselves to our vibrant UK Branch community.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter.

As part of our Disability Confident commitment, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

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