At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a new Finance and Investment practice to drive impactful change.
- Company: Join Palladium, a global leader in consulting for sustainable development.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape finance strategies that tackle global challenges and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in finance or investment, with a track record of success.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
About Palladium
Operating in over 50 countries, Palladium is a global consulting and implementation company working in partnership with governments, businesses, investors, and communities to design and deliver solutions that create lasting positive impact. We address some of the world’s most complex challenges across infrastructure, economic growth and natural capital, health, energy, climate and environment, and digital transformation—strengthening systems, institutions, and markets to support inclusive and sustainable development.
Palladium’s UKEA Partnership is seeking a Practice Lead, Finance and Investment, a senior leader who can build, define offers, win the first generation of flagship work and form a high‑performing team around it. This role will have full accountability for shaping the practice, growing a sustainable pipeline and positioning Palladium as a leading partner in finance and investment for development. This includes direct responsibility for originating opportunities, engaging senior clients, converting priority deals and building a team aligned to delivery and growth. The practice will focus on strengthening financial markets and systems, and mobilising capital at scale across climate, nature, economic growth and health.
Why this role?
- A rare opportunity to build a new practice within an established and credible organisation
- Direct access to senior leadership and influence over UKEA strategy and growth
- A platform to shape how finance and investment is applied across major development priorities
- The ability to leverage Palladium’s existing client relationships and delivery track record while defining a new market position
- High visibility and impact across a priority growth area for the business
The Finance & Investment Practice May Cover
- Financial sector transformation and regulatory strengthening: How financial systems function and allocate capital
- Design of innovative financing facilities: Including blended finance vehicles, guarantees, catalytic funds, and results‑based mechanisms
- Capital mobilisation and market development: Including investor engagement, pipeline development, and market ecosystem building
- Investment climate and financial market reforms: Improving the conditions under which investors decide whether to invest
- Impact, ESG and sustainability design and reporting: Supporting credible impact frameworks aligned to climate, nature, and development goals
- Supporting governments to strengthen the fiscal and financial conditions needed to mobilise domestic and private capital
Location
The position will be based in Palladium’s London office. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Palladium follows a hybrid working model, with three days in the office and two days remote.
Reporting Lines
The Practice Lead, Finance and Investment will report to the Managing Director, UKEA. This role will work closely with Palladium’s sectoral teams in climate, environment, economic growth and health.
Primary Responsibilities
- Practice strategy and leadership
- Define and lead a clear strategic vision for the Finance & Investment Practice aligned with Palladium UKEA’s regional strategy and global priorities
- Translate the practice value proposition into a credible, differentiated market offer
- Build on Palladium’s finance‑for‑nature leadership, positioning the practice at the intersection of financial system reform, climate finance, nature‑positive investment and impact, health and economic growth
- Contribute as a senior member of the UKEA team to wider organisational transformation and growth
- Business development
- Take full ownership for originating, shaping and converting a pipeline of priority opportunities
- Build and maintain senior client relationships, including UK government, DFIs, MDBs and foundations
- Lead opportunity positioning, deal development and bid strategies for major programmes
- Be accountable for securing the first wave of anchor programmes for the practice
- Provide clear commercial leadership on pricing, partnerships and market entry
- Delivery oversight and quality assurance
- Provide senior oversight of the Finance & Investment portfolio
- Ensure strong delivery, financial performance, and client satisfaction
- Act as programme director for selected flagship programmes
- Team leadership and management
- Build and lead a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team aligned to the practice’s priorities
- Define team structure, roles and accountabilities
- Deploy internal and external expertise against priority opportunities and delivery
- Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, delivery excellence and wellbeing
- Market positioning and thought leadership
- Represent Palladium at senior external forums
- Drive thought leadership aligned to priority markets and clients
- Build Palladium’s visibility and credibility in finance and investment
Essential Criteria
- Senior leadership experience in finance, investment or financial systems reform, ideally within international development or public sector advisory
- Demonstrated track record of winning and converting work, not only contributing to bids
- Experience building or scaling a practice, portfolio or business line
- Experience overseeing large, complex delivery programmes with multiple stakeholders
- Strong entrepreneurial abilities
- Strong commercial judgement and ability to translate strategy into revenue
- Credibility with senior clients (e.g. government, DFIs, MDBs, donors)
- Able to operate effectively in high‑autonomy, early‑stage environments
- Strong communicator, able to simplify complex financial concepts
- Proven people leaders with a focus on accountability and performance
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working at the climate‑finance‑nature nexus
- Existing relationships with DFIs, MDBs, climate and nature finance initiatives
- Experience linking impact, ESG and financial performance frameworks
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early as the position may close once a suitable candidate is found.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics.
Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process (due to disability, neurodiversity, or for any other circumstance), please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.
Safeguarding
We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding‑focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.
Practice Lead, Finance and Investment (Build and Scale a New Practice) employer: Palladium: Make It Possible
Palladium is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the establishment of a new Finance and Investment practice within a globally respected consulting firm. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Palladium fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, while providing access to senior leadership and the chance to influence impactful development strategies. Located in London, the hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring a balanced approach to work and life.
Contact Details:
Palladium: Make It Possible Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Lead, Finance and Investment (Build and Scale a New Practice)
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We think you need these skills to ace Practice Lead, Finance and Investment (Build and Scale a New Practice)
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