Project Finance Director (Energy) Dubai, UAE

Location: Dubai UAE
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Finance / Project Finance / Corporate Development
Seniority Level: Director

We are looking for an experienced Project Finance Director to lead the financial structuring modelling valuation and transaction support of major development projects across the Near and Middle East region.

Important: This is a Project Finance Director role focused on development project financing M&A transactions financial structuring valuation investment committee preparation and bankability analysis. It is not a CFO Head of Finance or operational finance management position.

The selected candidate will act as a key financial advisor to Business Development and Investment teams and will support projects from origination and tender stage through financial close acquisition development and handover to operational teams.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Modelling & Valuation

Develop comprehensive financial models for new development projects acquisitions greenfield and brownfield opportunities and M&A transactions.

Perform detailed valuation analysis and assess project returns in line with applicable accounting and investment standards.

Challenge cost assumptions revenue forecasts financing assumptions and business plans for tender submissions and investment decisions.

Support impairment testing long-term planning exercises and financial analysis for growth projects.

Risk Analysis & Financial Structuring

Identify analyze and quantify key project risks including construction operational credit currency interest rate contractual and financing risks.

Review contracts from a financial perspective and prepare risk matrices to support project decision-making.

Support bond requirements guarantees insurance considerations and other financial risk mitigation mechanisms.

Structure project financing solutions in coordination with banks financial institutions external advisors and internal stakeholders.

Transaction Support & M&A

Lead financial workstreams for M&A transactions including due diligence valuation transaction modelling financial planning closing support and integration.

Review and optimize financial and legal structures including tax debt equity and project company considerations.

Support the preparation and optimization of financial offers during prequalification tender and negotiation stages.

Coordinate financial technical legal and tax due diligence activities to ensure bankability and investment readiness.

Documentation & Governance

Review and contribute to finance-related provisions in contractual documentation including share purchase agreements shareholders agreements service agreements and financing documents.

Prepare investment memorandums financial presentations and decision-support materials for senior management and investment committees.

Ensure projects comply with internal investment criteria governance standards and approval processes.

Support smooth transition from development phase to project CFO or operational finance teams after award or financial close.

Stakeholder Management

Work closely with Business Development Legal Tax Accounting Treasury Investment Control M&A Corporate Development Insurance and regional management teams.

Liaise with external advisors auditors banks financial institutions and other transaction stakeholders.

Participate in financial negotiations with partners lenders investors and clients.

Translate complex financial concepts into clear recommendations for non-finance stakeholders.

Qualifications :

Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration Economics or a related field.

MBA CFA ACCA CPA or equivalent professional qualification is preferred.

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in corporate finance project finance infrastructure finance M&A investment banking transaction services or financial advisory.

Strong experience in financial modelling valuation project finance structuring and investment analysis.

Solid understanding of IFRS and the application of accounting standards to complex transactions.

Experience with bankable project finance structures debt financing arrangements and non-recourse or limited-recourse financing.

Strong knowledge of corporate tax structures business contracts shareholder arrangements and financing documentation.

Ability to coordinate financial legal technical tax and commercial due diligence workstreams.

Experience in infrastructure utilities water energy environmental services PPP or concession-based projects is highly desirable.

Familiarity with Near and Middle East markets is preferred.

Fluency in English is required. Arabic and/or French would be an advantage.

Required Skills & Competencies

Advanced financial modelling and valuation skills.

Strong analytical strategic and problem-solving mindset.

Excellent understanding of project finance M&A risk analysis and investment governance.

Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to defend financial assumptions and investment recommendations with confidence.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

High level of financial rigor attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to manage multiple complex projects under tight deadlines.

Proactive autonomous resilient and comfortable working in fast-paced environments.

Strong cultural sensitivity and ability to work across functions countries and seniority levels.

Preferred Background

Candidates coming from the following backgrounds will be strongly considered:

Investment Banking
Project Finance Advisory
Infrastructure Finance
Transaction Services / Deal Advisory
Corporate Development
M&A
PPP / Concession Projects
Utilities / Water / Energy / Environmental Infrastructure
Multinational Corporate Finance teams focused on development projects

Additional Information :

Important Note for Applicants

This position is specifically focused on project finance financial structuring M&A transactions valuation bankability and development project financing.

Candidates with only traditional accounting financial control FP&A or operational CFO experience may not be suitable unless they have strong hands-on exposure to project finance and transaction structuring.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time