Commercial Advisor - Project Financing

Reports to: Finance and Commercial Manager

Role Type: Permanent / Full-time

HAYS are delighted to be working exclusively with the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) on this vacancy.

About NEP: Join one of the UK's most exciting and pioneering projects - the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) is developing onshore and offshore infrastructure needed to transport CO2 from carbon capture projects across Teesside and the Humber - collectively known as the East Coast Cluster - to secure storage under the North Sea. The infrastructure is crucial to achieving net zero in the UK's most carbon intensive industrial regions. This is a first-of-its-kind, utterly unique and extremely exciting start-up organisation. NEP is in an incorporated joint venture established solely to develop and operate CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure on behalf of the NEP Shareholders - BP, Equinor and Total Energies.

Purpose of the Role: The Project Financing Advisor is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Project Financing arrangements for the UK's first CO2 transportation and storage network. Acting as the external face of the Company to lenders and their advisors, the Project Financing Advisor coordinates the flow of information between the Company, the banking syndicate, and other third parties. The role requires close collaboration with Commercial Advisors, the Financial Controller, and wider project teams to manage cash calls, draw downs, financing obligations, and conditions precedent. This is a rare opportunity to work in a small, high impact team at the forefront of the UK's Net Zero transformation, playing a key role in delivery of nationally significant infrastructure assets.

What You Will Deliver

• Project Financing Leadership
  • Overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of NEP project financing arrangements.
  • Work closely with Commercial Advisors and the Financial Controller to oversee cash calls, funding requirements, and financing-related obligations.
  • Own the financing structure and documentation, ensuring continued alignment with project needs, financing agreements, and debt-related financial model assumptions.
• Banking Relationship & External Engagement
  • Act as the Company's primary interface with the banking syndicate agent.
  • Manage relationships with lenders and their advisors, including financial, legal, environmental & social, and technical advisors.
  • Coordinate and control the flow of information between the Company and all external parties involved in the project financing.
  • Represent the Company in lender meetings, reviews, and formal communications.
• Operations & Cash Management
  • Manage day-to-day financing operations including cash forecasting, bank drawdowns, repayments, and cash movements.
  • Administer project cash calls in accordance with financing agreements and shareholder arrangements.
  • Ensure all financing transactions and interactions with lenders and agents are accurate, timely, and compliant.
• Obligations Management & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with all obligations under the financing documents, including legal, financial, procurement, project, and environmental & social requirements.
  • Monitor ongoing compliance, identify emerging risks, and proactively manage issues with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Oversee delivery of lender reporting, audits, and assurance requirements.
• Hedging
  • Manage and monitor the Company's hedging arrangements in line with financing documents and agreed treasury policy.
  • Coordinate the execution, documentation, and compliance of hedging instruments with lenders and hedge counterparties.
  • Monitor hedge effectiveness, covenant compliance, and interest rate exposure, working closely with finance and treasury specialists.
  • Ensure hedging activities remain aligned with financing requirements, project cashflows, and risk management objectives, including lender reporting and remediation where required.
  • Support the structuring, delivery, and ongoing management of the project's decommissioning fund arrangement in line with UK offshore and CCS decommissioning requirements, regulatory frameworks, and project financing documents.
  • Coordinate with lenders, shareholders, legal advisors, and technical teams to establish and document the decommissioning funding mechanism, ensuring alignment with applicable UK regulatory and licensing obligations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in finance, economics, business, engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CFA or similar) desirable but not essential.
• Strong understanding of project finance structures and financing documentation.
• Experience managing banking relationships and lender interactions.
• Experience of cashflow management, drawdowns, and funding operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively across finance, legal, technical, and project teams.
• Experience in IJVs or shareholder-based project structures.
• Experience in regulated or government-linked infrastructure projects.

What you'll get in return

• Be part of a groundbreaking project that will transform both the UK's energy landscape and the local Tees Valley community.
• Work in a dynamic start-up environment with significant investment and growth plans.
• Collaborate with industry leaders and government stakeholders.
• Modern offices in central Darlington, close to the train station and with free on-site parking.
• Flexible & hybrid working pattern.

Next steps

What you need to do now: Apply now to join Northern Endurance Partnership and help to deliver one of the UK's most ambitious Net Zero projects. Click "apply now" to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.