Project Finance Director (Energy) - Dubai, UAE

Company Description

Do you want to shape the world of tomorrow and work on innovative projects? Then you're a good fit for us! We are a global engineering group with 15,000 employees and 140 locations worldwide. With our services, we are driving the topics of energy efficiency, climate protection and decarbonization and developing tech industries into new dimensions.

The world of SEGULA Technologies Experts revolves around industries such as automotive, software, energy and life sciences. As an independent player, we support OEMs and suppliers with personal engineering services. Take advantage of new opportunities and take on exciting tasks and attractive positions with direct customer assignment.

Job Description

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

Bachelor’s 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