Director (Deal Lead), Impact Investments, NatureVest

OFFICE LOCATION London, England, United Kingdom. The location for this position is flexible within countries where The Nature Conservancy is a registered NGO and has an already established office. Candidate must have ability to overlap 4-6 hours per business day with European GMT or CET time zones.

WHO WE ARE The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include respect for people, communities, and cultures. One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER NatureVest is the impact investing and sustainable finance unit of TNC. NatureVest’s mission is to facilitate the development of global financial markets that value, monetize, and integrate natural capital at scale. One of the ways in which it does this is by structuring investable deals and investment products that generate financial returns and achieve measurable environmental and social outcomes that support TNC’s 2030 Goals. NatureVest impact investments include but are not limited to fixed income, private equity, venture capital, guarantees and blended finance. To date, NatureVest has helped TNC and its partners originate, structure, fund and close investment vehicles representing more than $3.1 billion of committed capital.

The Director (Deal Lead), Impact Investments will report to the Managing Director, Impact Investments on the NatureVest team. The Director’s role is to source, structure, and close potential impact investment opportunities with a particular focus on fixed income products that generate priority conservation outcomes and financial returns that are competitive with other comparable market offerings. The Director will seek to co-create these transactions with financial institutions, corporate partners, asset managers, and conservation and investment experts (including Nature Conservancy colleagues). The Director will be primarily responsible for transaction structuring, negotiation, and execution, and, where necessary, will play an active role in investor engagement and fundraising alongside NatureVest’s capital raising team. In addition, the Director will be responsible for working with internal stakeholders at TNC (including members of senior management and the Global Board of Directors) to secure any necessary feedback and internal support for the transaction.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Business Development and Pipeline Development: Growing NatureVest’s transaction pipeline by working with internal TNC conservation and strategy staff, corporate partners, financial institutions, and other partners (including potential investors), to source and structure new investment transactions across multiple conservation priorities domestically and globally with a focus on corporate fixed income opportunities.
• Conducting financial assessment of new investment opportunities including: detailed business and financial modeling and cash flow analysis; regulatory and business risk assessment; and stakeholder engagement and negotiation.
• Making independent decisions frequently based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
• Representation of the NatureVest team at industry and stakeholder events globally for both thought leadership and investment origination purposes.

Transaction Structuring, Capital Raising, and Closing: Develop fit-for-purpose financial and legal structures that satisfy TNC’s conservation and reputational priorities while meeting investor needs. Work closely with financial institutions or corporate partners to integrate measurable outcome delivery and accountability into ‘green’ fixed income issuances. Conduct detailed negotiations with corporate partners, financial institutions and, as necessary, potential investors. Develop detailed pitch decks, investment memoranda and any other necessary investor materials. Conduct investor roadshows and investor calls as needed.

Other: Commitment to the mission and values of The Nature Conservancy, although no prior experience in environmental conservation is required. Requires willingness and ability to travel both domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time, and to work occasional weekends and evenings.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of ‘Work You Can Believe In’, where you feel like you are making a difference every day. NatureVest Impact Investments play a critical role in helping TNC achieve our 2030 Goals and addressing climate change. The ideal candidate should have strong fixed income deal structuring and execution skills, superb communication and collaboration skills, and advanced financial modeling and presentation skillsets. You will be working on a remote team with colleagues in the United States, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, across many different cultures, will be key to success in this position. Help expand the scope of our impact investing to an even wider audience and apply today!

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree and 7 or more years’ experience in a private sector environment, such as investment banking, asset management, impact investing, or investment deal lead role at a leading conservation organization or government entity or equivalent combination of education and experience. Senior career or post-career professionals welcome. Experience with corporate bonds, green bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, or other fixed income products. Investment experience including transaction structuring and cash flow modeling. Experience in securing capital from investors such as investment banks, private wealth managers, institutional investors including public pension plans, endowment funds, private trusts, and high-net worth individuals. Experience with analytical and deal workflow and project management. Fully fluent English professional business speaking, writing, and reading.
• DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with the strategic development of new lines of business. Experience working with corporate clients. Strong team player who can build relationships and work collaboratively across a matrixed organization and with Conservancy partners. Makes decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous information and accepts associated risks in order to diagnose and resolve complex problems.

WHAT WE BRING Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world! TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

SALARY INFORMATION This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For the USA, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $140,000 - $160,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.