The CEFC is Australia’s specialist climate investor, helping cut emissions in the race towards net zero by 2050. With access to more than $33 billion from the Australian Government, we invest to deliver a positive return for taxpayers.

About the opportunity

As Associate Director, you will help finance the new wind and solar generation and storage infrastructure Australia needs on its path to net zero. The Renewables team originates and executes in the order of $1 billion a year, and this role sits at the centre of that activity, taking transactions from structuring through to financial close.

Reporting to a Head of Platform, you will take day-to-day carriage of assigned transactions as well as working on some origination activities. Execution is the heart of the role : you will develop investment structures and negotiate terms, lead the legal, financial and technical due diligence, prepare credit assessments and investment papers, manage the CEFC approval process and drive documentation through to close.

Most deals fall between $100-200 million and the CEFC invests across the capital structure. You will typically lead one transaction in execution at a time, working in a deal team of two alongside and supervising a senior associate or associate, alongside a wider, collaborative transaction support team.

For many transactions, you will also hold the client relationship. You will be the point person with sponsors, advisers, co-financiers and counterparties, and will contribute to the industry and strategic work that shapes where the CEFC invests next.

Based in our Sydney office, you will join a small, flat and highly team-oriented team where origination, market intelligence and insight are shared openly across the group. The role requires travel between the CEFC's offices and to other cities and states as and when required.

This is a rewarding opportunity to apply deep transaction skills to Australia's energy transition, at a point in the cycle when the pipeline of new renewable energy projects is growing.

The role you’ll play

As Associate Director, you will:

- Take day-to-day project management and execution carriage of assigned renewables transactions through to financial close.
- Develop investment structures and negotiate terms across the capital structure, including senior debt, mezzanine debt and equity funding,



either directly or via existing or newly established funds.
- Undertake credit and risk analysis of investment opportunities, prepare investment papers and manage the CEFC approval process.
- Lead due diligence and documentation through to financial close, engaging internal and external lawyers, advisers and due diligence providers.
- Support and deliver business development and origination activities, contributing to the development, structuring and evaluation of investment opportunities across the renewables platform.
- Collaborate across the Investment team on strategic insights and future investment focus areas, identifying and considering financing opportunities across the market.
- Leverage industry contacts to develop financial products and investment opportunities, and influence the development and implementation of the CEFC product suite.
- Maintain client and counterparty relationships, ensuring deliverables under customer contracts are met and providing a structured customer review process.
- Report on origination and transaction pipelines, and capture and disseminate project knowledge internally and externally, including through case studies and other educational and promotional material.
- Lead transaction teams, coaching and mentoring junior colleagues by sharing knowledge and expertise across the CEFC's sector platforms.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

- Seven or more years of demonstrated experience in structuring, negotiating and executing transactions, gained in commercial banking, funds management, financial advisory, direct equity or the private credit division of an institutional investment group or other financial institution, with a track record of taking transactions through to financial close.
- Strong transactional skills, including developing key investment terms and investment structures, identifying risks, and undertaking due diligence, financial analysis and modelling, valuation,



credit analysis and the preparation of transaction documentation and investment papers.
- Experience with a broad range of finance structures and with corporate and project risk assessment and management. Project or structured finance experience in renewables, energy or infrastructure is highly relevant.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to internal audiences such as investment committee and board, and to external audiences such as sponsors, advisers and other market participants.
- A solution-focused approach, working with urgency and creativity to solve problems as they arise, and the ability to think beyond the limits and take on a long-term perspective.
- Organised and effective in high pressure situations, planning ahead to manage to tight deadlines and taking ownership of the outcome.
- The ability to work well in a highly collaborative, people-centred environment, building trust and confidence within the team and with senior management. Previous people leadership experience is preferred.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in finance, commerce, mathematics, engineering, actuarial studies or a related quantitative discipline.

Are you ready to contribute to the achievement of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets?

If you're someone who’s driven to make a positive impact, exploring new frontiers, overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities, then the CEFC could be the place for you.

Apply online now

Don't procrastinate!

We review applications as we receive them, which means we may close the role earlier than the advertised close date if we discover the ideal candidate.

The successful candidate must have current Australian work rights and will be required to complete background checks, including security clearances if required, prior to commencement.

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We request no unsolicited resumes or approaches from recruitment agencies. The CEFC is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

📌 Associate Director (Sydney)
🏢 Clean Energy Finance
📍 Sydney