Regional Industry Manager, Infrastructure, Europe

Overview

Lead and coordinate investment opportunities in infrastructure across Europe.

You have:

• Master's degree in business, finance or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience sourcing and structuring complex investment transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions.
• Deep understanding of the industry sectors and ability to link policy reforms to investment opportunities.
• Track record of engaging with private sector clients and local/national governments.
• Sound knowledge of portfolio/asset management including supervision of loans and equities.
• Ability to work in a matrix environment and meet team objectives under tight deadlines.
• Strength in managing and developing teams effectively.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.

Regional Industry Manager, Infrastructure, Europe

Job #: req37823 Organization: IFC Sector: Infrastructure Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Paris,France Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 8/17/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — 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. IFC leverages private sector solutions and mobilizes private capital to create more, better and inclusive jobs in order to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC strategy also aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets by proactively working to create, deepen, and expand markets and to design and develop potential investment projects. Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on i) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; ii) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; iii) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and iv) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective. To drive this approach, IFC is seeking a Regional Industry Manager for its infrastructure, energy, mining, municipal, water and digital (INR) activities in the Europe region covering Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Manager will lead and coordinate IFC's efforts to enable investment opportunities, enhance investment outcomes, improve investment conditions, and deliver INR investment activities. The role combines upstream market creation and project development with business development, transaction processing, portfolio management, and client engagement.

The Manager will be based in Paris, France and will be expected to frequently visit all countries and other offices where the Europe infrastructure team and clients are based. The Manager will report to IFC’s Regional Industry Director for INR for Europe, and will be a member of the Europe INR management team and the IFC Europe Regional Leadership Team, and will be expected to work in partnership with IFC’s Division Directors, WBG Country Managers, IFC Program Managers, other Regional Industry Managers/Directors, WBG Global Knowledge Bank counterparts, IBRD counterparts, and also to coordinate closely across IFC/WBG departments and divisions, including Treasury, Legal, Risk, Special Operations, IFC Products and Clients, Environmental & Social, Partnerships, and other relevant teams.

The Manager will have direct supervisory responsibility for a team of approximately 20 staff while also collectively managing the IFC Europe INR team of approximately 40 people jointly with the INR Regional Industry Manager based in Vienna ensure the broader Europe INR team operates as a single high-performing, well-motivated team to develop and deliver the full spectrum of IFC’s INR activities across the entire Europe region.

Duties and Accountabilities

The roles and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to: Strategic Responsibility • Develop the strategy for IFC’s INR activities in the region, setting key business goals focused on high-impact projects aligned with IFC country strategies and diagnostics. • Link policy reforms, regulatory interventions, upstream market creation, investment, and mobilization to deliver country-level solutions and unlock private investment opportunities, including by leveraging the WBG's knowledge and lending programs. • Engage with and establish partnerships with thought leaders, decision makers, clients, sponsors, WBG counterparts, and other external parties to foster innovative thinking, create new markets, identify collaboration opportunities, and enhance business delivery. • Proactively convene stakeholders and connect expertise from upstream teams, investment staff, industry specialists, country teams, clients, sponsors, and other partners to enable delivery of upstream and investment operations. • Participate in and contribute to regional leadership teams, global sector teams, and cross-sector and cross-departmental collaboration to advance IFC's strategic priorities. Business Responsibility • Lead INR business development efforts together with regional/country and global industry teams; manage selected client relationships; build and maintain high-level relationships with clients; and ensure high client satisfaction and program delivery within impact, profitability, and risk parameters. • Identify, incubate, and develop high-impact projects and initiatives that require upstream project development to reach the point of investment, including preparing potential clients for IFC investment and supporting sector-wide change in priority areas. • Lead multidisciplinary teams to turn leads into transactions that balance IFC's additionality, financial risks and rewards, sustainable development impact, innovation, replication, and scalability. • Execute investment operations by supporting business development, providing credit and investment guidance, ensuring quality control of teams' work, and assuming Tier I ADM responsibility for the processing quality investments. • Manage upstream operations with a focus on sound project design across the project cycle and portfolio, high development effectiveness, appropriate deployment of technical expertise, and exceptional client service. • Actively manage profitability for the INR business, revenue and net income generation, use of economic capital, and long-term financial sustainability, including through sales, risk sharing, and mobilization where appropriate. • Supervise and manage the debt and equity portfolio, including portfolio reviews, risk monitoring, early warning for assets at risk, loan-loss reserve recommendations, equity management plans, valuations, write-downs, exit strategies, and board seat proposals for strategic assets. • Coordinate with CSO, Risk, Treasury, Legal, Equity colleagues, Environmental & Social, and other relevant teams on risk, restructuring, rescheduling, compliance, and portfolio matters. • Ensure portfolio experience and lessons learned are fed into strategy development and business decision making, including through benchmarking analytics and portfolio insights. • Manage funding resources effectively by optimizing internal and external funding and budgets for upstream operations and contributing to donor engagement strategy, relationship management, and reporting through collaboration with Partnerships. • Work with other IFC industry departments and regional managers to identify joint ventures and cross-sector opportunities to expand IFC's business. Knowledge Capture and Management • Spot game-changing trends, technologies, and business models that can increase development impact and present opportunities for high-value proprietary engagements. • Disseminate and absorb knowledge and experience across the regional industry department, WBG counterparts, and global teams to support adoption of new approaches and best practices. • Build external brand recognition and recognition of IFC's distinctive capabilities in working upstream, catalyzing investment opportunities, and delivering high-quality INR investments. • Produce and use portfolio analytics, benchmarking, and lessons learned to inform strategy, risk management, and business development.

People, Team, and Administrative Management • Lead and manage the unit and relevant staff to ensure high performance, motivation, accountability, and alignment with IFC's strategic goals. • Mentor, coach, and develop staff, including junior staff, and guide and incentivize teams to achieve results. • Demonstrate excellent people-management skills, openness to feedback and new ideas, ability to inspire trust, and sensitivity in multicultural environments.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in business, finance or equivalent qualification, and a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience. • Proven experience sourcing and structuring complex investment transactions with strong track record in developing client relationships and processing quality investments. • Demonstrated ability to think strategically, develop innovative solutions, challenge the status quo, and make sound decisions to build IFC business. • Deep understanding of the industry sectors and ability to link policy reforms, interventions, investment, and mobilization to deliver solutions at a country level. • Track record of engaging with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development. • Sound knowledge of portfolio/asset management and experience in portfolio supervision of loans, equities and guarantees, and restructurings and recovery of impaired assets. • Ability to work in a matrix environment and deliver high quality work within tight deadlines and meeting team objectives. • Sensitivity for working in multicultural environment and commitment to diversity. • Proven experience in managing and developing teams. • Strong leadership, interpersonal, and written and verbal communications skills. • Meet the World Bank Group-wide managerial competencies: Courage of your Convictions, Leading the Team for Impact, Influencing Across Boundaries, Fostering Openness to New Ideas, Building Talent for the Future

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 hours ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: worldbank.org