Senior Associate / AVP Project Finance Specialist, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Australia (Sydney)

Business Function

Corporate and Investment Banking provides corporate customers with a full range of commercial banking products and services, including cash management services, current accounts, time deposits, trade finance, working capital finance, term loans and foreign exchange. Through our continued commitment, DBS has cultivated long-standing relationships with its customers in the region that are based on account relationship management, service differentiation, product development and rigorous credit standards.

DBS Project Finance is a dedicated team that advises and arranges financing for projects that are either greenfield or brownfield, or acquired in an M&A. Our deep understanding of the region, strong regional connectivity and market leading position in the Asia Pacific project finance space positions us well to assist our clients in complex developments and acquisitions.

With teams across the Asia Pacific, DBS has advised and structured award-winning transactions across the Power and Utilities, Renewable, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas and Transportation/Social Infrastructure sectors.

Key Accountabilities

1. Financial Performance 

Support the team in achieving financial targets in line with budget.

2. Client Franchise & Business Development 

Support the positioning of DBS as the Bank of Choice through effective cross-selling and relationship deepening. 

Assist in the origination and execution of lending and advisory mandates. 

Contribute to achieving cross-sell and sell-down targets.

3. Team Culture & Employer Branding 

Contribute to fostering a collaborative team environment and positioning DBS as an Employer of Choice. 

Support initiatives that enhance productivity and data-driven decision-making.

4. Business Growth & Sector Execution 

Support execution of sector strategies across energy, renewables, and infrastructure: 

- Collaborate with Industry Bankers, Relationship Managers and Risk 

- Support development of account plans for key clients 

- Strengthen relationships with sponsors and infrastructure clients 

- Maintain strong underwriting and credit standards 

- Support origination across project finance and M&A transactions 

5. Risk, Control & Compliance 

Promote strong risk management and underwriting discipline: 

- Monitor risk events and escalate when required 

- Support audit requests and portfolio reviews 

- Assist in portfolio monitoring and early warning identification 

- Support periodic reviews and client-related requests

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Support Project Finance and industry coverage teams in the implementation of DBS’s Project Finance strategy to develop the Bank as a leading Project Finance Advisor and Arranger in Australasia, as evidenced by Project Finance league tables and market share numbers, by securing and executing advisory and debt arranging roles. The sectors of focus will be and infrastructure, natural resources & mining.

• Support Head, Project Finance Australia in the origination of project finance deals including preparation of quality marketing materials and presentations to clients

• Manage and conduct thorough due diligence on project commercial documents, helping in the preparation of the risk matrix, review of risk allocation, negotiation of contracts, coordinating / reviewing legal, technical and other due diligence reports

• Review and/ or prepare transaction financial models and assist in auditing those models to ensure they reflect the commercial documents. Conduct model sensitivities to assist with credit analysis of project finance transactions. Where DBS is appointed as Financial Advisor, assist with the preparation of project finance and valuation models for clients.  

• Prepare marketing material, pitch books and RFP proposals for Financing and Advisory opportunities, including the performance of supporting research.

• Prepare internal credit papers for transactions, subsequent annual reviews and other credit monitoring, including discussion papers, coordination with relevant Relationship Managers and Product Partners across DBS Geographies as appropriate through to credit approval

• Keep abreast of market developments by conducting research and tracking changes in regulation and regulator activities in key markets

• Regarding the PF portfolio, to obtain ‘satisfactory’ rating on all audits on the branch by internal, external and regulatory auditors.

• Comply with all DBS policies and procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Incumbent will have a good grounding in Project Finance and banking fundamentals including financial modelling, debt structuring and loan documentation. Strong commercial acumen, credit risk instincts, written and oral presentation skills are necessary.

• Minimum of 4 years’ Australian Institutional or Investment Banking experience with prior Project Finance and /or other non recourse financing preferred.

• Strong credit and financial analytical skills with experience in industry research, particularly in one of the following: Energy / Power, Mining & Metals and / or Oil and Gas.

• Minimum Bachelors’ Degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Engineering or Law.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required. Influencing skills would be highly considered, but not a prerequisite

• Incumbent will be reporting through to Australian Project Finance Lead, with dual accountabilities to Australian Country Head and Global Head of Project Finance in Singapore

• Incumbent must be able to communicate proficiently and effectively with Australian Coverage teams, and will also be interfacing regularly with Industry Coverage and Sponsor Relationship Coverage teams and other Product Partners in Singapore and across the DBS global network, as well as Credit Risk decision makers in Risk Management Group

• Incumbent will also be dealing directly with clients, various legal and technical advisors, other PF bankers, Facility Agents and Financial Advisors.

Location:

DBS Sydney

Job:

Product Sales

Schedule:

Regular

Employee Status:

Full time