Offshore Wind
Project Finance Manager - Offshore Wind
Overview
We are working with a leading renewable energy developer focused on the development of large-scale offshore wind projects across international markets. The organisation has a significant offshore wind development portfolio spanning both floating and fixed-bottom projects and is entering an important phase of growth as projects progress towards construction and Financial Close.
The business is seeking a Project Finance Manager to lead the project finance workstream for a major offshore wind project currently progressing through financing structuring towards Financial Close. The successful candidate will work closely with senior project leadership, sponsors, lenders, financial and tax advisers, legal counsel and other key stakeholders to develop and deliver a bankable financing structure.
This is a senior project finance position with significant ownership across financial structuring, bankability, lender engagement, due diligence and Financial Close. The role will also provide exposure to ECA-backed financing and Japanese lenders and sponsors.
The Role
We are seeking a Project Finance Manager to lead the project finance and financing strategy workstream for a major offshore wind project progressing towards Financial Close.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing the financing strategy, assessing bankability, coordinating lender and adviser due diligence, managing the financial adviser and supporting negotiations across financing documentation.
This is a highly stakeholder-facing role requiring strong project finance expertise, financial modelling literacy and the ability to manage complex, multi-party financing processes through to Financial Close and beyond.
Key Responsibilities
Project Finance Strategy & Financial Close
Lead the project finance strategy and financial structuring workstream, coordinating sponsors, lenders, advisers and internal project teams
Lead the assessment of project bankability, identifying and resolving issues relating to the financial model, contracting strategy, security package and risk allocation
Support Final Investment Decision and Financial Close through robust financing, cost and risk analysis
Manage the Financial Adviser and coordinate workstreams against the critical path to Financial Close
Evaluate and compare financing structures, including ECA-backed debt, commercial bank debt and bond financing
Recommend optimal debt and equity structures based on project requirements, market conditions and risk allocation
Oversee the project financial model and sensitivity analysis, working closely with internal finance and commercial teams and external advisers
Stress-test the capital structure across market, foreign exchange and inflation scenarios
Support the negotiation of financing documentation, including term sheets, Common Terms Agreements, facility agreements and security documentation
Coordinate lender due diligence across technical, legal, insurance and financial workstreams
Manage financing requirements following Financial Close, including lender reporting and reserve account requirements
Lead refinancing processes following construction where required
Lender, ECA & Investor Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with commercial and institutional lenders relevant to the project financing
Engage with Export Credit Agencies and assess their suitability within the overall financing structure
Apply knowledge of Japanese ECAs and commercial banks to support financing strategy and lender engagement
Support engagement with potential investors and financing partners alongside senior leadership
Coordinate lender and sponsor information requirements throughout the financing process
Governance, Risk & Reporting
Maintain the financing workstream risk register and ensure alignment with wider project risk management
Provide regular financing updates to senior project leadership, sponsors and relevant governance bodies
Track and report against the Financial Close critical path, decision calendar and key financing milestones
Identify risks, dependencies and potential delays that could impact Financial Close
Ensure financing activities comply with relevant governance, approval and risk management requirements
Support appropriate HSE and stakeholder risk management across project activities
Experience and Background
Essential
Demonstrable experience leading project finance workstreams through to Financial Close on at least two recent projects
Strong experience within offshore wind or large-scale renewable energy infrastructure
Previous experience in offshore wind project development
Strong knowledge of project finance structures, including debt and equity structuring, security packages and lender due diligence
Proven experience managing Financial Advisers and coordinating complex, multi-party due diligence processes
Strong understanding of financial models, including the ability to critically assess financial model outputs, sensitivities and scenario analysis
Experience across financing negotiations and transaction execution
Strong stakeholder management experience across sponsors, lenders, advisers and senior leadership
Degree qualified in Finance, Economics, Business, Engineering or a related discipline
Desirable
Experience with ECA financing structures and processes
Knowledge of Japanese ECAs, including JBIC and NEXI, and Japanese commercial banking markets
Experience working with Japanese sponsors, lenders or other financing stakeholders
Professional qualification such as CFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
Experience working within a joint venture or multi-sponsor project structure
Experience across floating offshore wind or other emerging renewable technologies
Personal Attributes
Strong strategic and commercial judgement with the ability to assess complex financing structures
Highly analytical with strong financial and project finance capability
Confident managing lenders, advisers, sponsors and senior stakeholders
Strong negotiation, communication and influencing skills
Comfortable managing multiple complex workstreams against demanding deadlines
Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership
Able to identify and resolve issues that may impact project bankability or Financial Close
Comfortable operating within complex, international and multi-stakeholder project environments
Highly organised, rigorous and detail-oriented
Able to operate effectively in a fast-paced project development environment
Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.