Director, Serbia recruitment

Role Overview

The Director for Serbia will have overall responsibility for the Bank's business conducted in Serbia. He/she will report to the Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe Business Group (CSEE).

Serbia is among EBRD's larger countries of operation with a portfolio of over €2.3bn across 119 live projects. Of the total, 43% is private and 12% is equity and 61% is disbursed. Annual business volume during the last 3 years has averaged €510 million / 25 projects and the expectation is to invest a similar or increased volume per annum in the coming five year period. Signed commitments as of mid-May 2012 stood at €118m, with a core and potential pipeline for the remainder of the year of approximately €400m. We expect continuing portfolio growth, both in the private and the public sectors over the coming years. Dialogue with the authorities on the ongoing reforms is a constant necessity, and the challenges are diverse and stimulating, with the obvious reward of improving business conditions and enhancing transition in a country on the European accession path.

The team in the Belgrade resident office includes 10 professional staff and 5 support staff, as well as a team dedicated to small business support (Enterprise Growth Programme / Business Advisory Support (EGP/BAS)).

The Director will have a high commitment to the Bank's mandate and institutional objectives combined with the strategic vision and technical skills necessary to anticipate and respond to the transition challenges in Serbia.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

Operational
• Work with the Managing Director to set the strategic direction for the EBRD in Serbia. Prepare proposals for the country's strategy, annual business plan and budget and take responsibility for implementation.
• Manage the dedicated country resources, budget and staff in order to achieve the respective commitment and targets.
• Advise the Managing Director on relevant operational and strategic matters.
• Lead business development efforts through actively promoting the Bank's product range to all potential clients (local enterprises, financial institutions, utilities, state-owned entities) operating in Serbia.
• Assume responsibility for the overall origination, execution and implementation of projects in Serbia, ensuring high quality standards in terms of risk analysis, structuring, transition impact and post-signing monitoring, in line with EBRD's mandate and operational principles. Ensure high quality of Operations Committee and Board documents. Support project teams in client interactions as well as in internal inter-departmental consultations.
• Work closely with the Bank's sector teams to promote and support projects in Serbia, identify solutions where needed and tailor products to meet the need of clients.
• Assume responsibility, within the matrix structure, for the management and optimisation of all sector bankers based in the country, in close cooperation with the Sector Teams.

Policy Dialogue and Representation
• Maintain an active policy dialogue and develop deep relationships with senior government officials (a new government is being formed following the elections of May 2012), relevant local governments and state-owned institutions.
• Develop a network and maintain close relationships with local financial institutions and business community (including business/investors associations).
• Closely coordinate with the European Commission and other IFIs.
• Liaise with the Director, Western Balkans on regional initiatives for the broader Western Balkans / South-East Europe region.
• Represent the Bank at relevant conferences and events.
• Assert and protect the special privileges, exemptions and immunities of the Bank, its personnel, premises, records and facilities in the region.

Management of Staff and Administration
• Manage, support and motivate the team of the Belgrade Resident Office. In liaison with Human Resources, take responsibility for recruitment, compensation, performance management and professional development. This includes, within the matrix framework, the day-to-day management of sector staff based in the RO, jointly with the relevant Sector Team Directors.
• Ensure that there is an adequate support, skills and resources to support the work of the sector teams
• Manage budget and other resources in liaison with Administration and other relevant departments.

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum of 12+ years of relevant work experience at a major investment, commercial or development bank.
• High level banking skills, sophisticated technical skills and demonstrable experience and expertise in origination, structuring and monitoring of projects. Advanced understanding of investment and financial analysis and their application in investment decisions and transaction structuring coupled with strong credit background.
• Experience in leading and actively pursuing policy dialogue, ability to articulate policies and strategies and to represent the Bank with government and local authorities, EU, IFIs, the business community, donors and media. Experience in building credible contacts in the political, business and civil society circles.
• Proven successful managerial experience and leadership skills, demonstrated ability to achieve outstanding performance through a people centred approach to management.
• Degree from a leading university in the country of education (e.g. business administration, economics, finance)
• Very good written and oral communication skills in English.
• Prior experience in Central or South-Eastern would be an advantage

Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Leadership - a strong leader with proven ability to motivate, guide and develop staff and to foster team playing in a large matrixed organisation, in order to deliver the business goals.
• Strategic thinking - a proven ability to innovate, anticipate change and meet the developing needs of business and clients in a fast transition environment. Understanding of transition success factors and the complexity of political environment in this region.
• Result oriented - business drive, ability to generate and drive transactions throughout the project cycle, ability to generate new and complex products and to work creatively within the context of the Bank's mandate.
• Relationship building - strong ability and commitment to build and maintain close relationships at the highest levels of central and local governments and public institutions.
• Stature and Presence - excellent interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively and interact as a respected and trusted counterpart at high level by our clients and stakeholders, as well as internally.
• Organisational alignment and Institutional fit - understanding of the specific nature of the Bank and its business culture, ability to align different interests among varied parties and ability to build effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Personal integrity, proven business judgement and high ethical and professional standards.

This job description is not limited to the responsibilities listed and the incumbent may be requested to perform other relevant duties as required by business needs.