Senior Director - Commercial (Development Finance)

Lead the commercial and financial strategy for major development programs and investment initiatives, ensuring optimal capital allocation, value creation, commercial performance, and financial sustainability.

Provide executive leadership in development finance, investment evaluation, business planning, and commercial decision-making to support strategic development objectives and long-term growth.

Drive financial governance, funding strategies, and portfolio performance management while ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and stakeholder expectations.

Section III: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial and development finance function across major development projects, portfolios, and strategic initiatives.

• Oversee financial feasibility studies, investment appraisals, valuation analyses, business case development, and capital allocation decisions.

• Direct the preparation and review of complex financial models, funding strategies, and long-term financial plans.

• Lead commercial assessments of development opportunities, partnerships, joint ventures, and strategic investment transactions.

• Provide executive oversight of project financial performance, budgets, forecasts, cash flows, and investment returns.

• Collaborate with Development, Commercial, Treasury, Accounting, Procurement, Legal, and Executive Leadership teams to support strategic objectives.

• Lead engagement with financial institutions, investors, government entities, advisors, and strategic partners regarding financing and investment matters.

• Evaluate funding structures, financing alternatives, and capital deployment strategies to optimize portfolio performance.

• Monitor market trends, economic conditions, regulatory developments, and investment opportunities affecting development finance activities.

• Ensure compliance with financial governance requirements, investment policies, accounting standards, and regulatory obligations.

• Prepare executive reports, board presentations, investment committee submissions, and strategic recommendations.

• Lead and develop high-performing development finance teams while promoting innovation, analytical excellence, and continuous improvement.

Section IV: KEY INTERACTIONS

Key Internal Interactions

• Executive Leadership Team

• Development Teams

• Commercial Teams

• Treasury Team

• Accounting and Finance Teams

• Procurement Department

• Legal Department

• Risk Management Functions

• Investment Committees

Key External Interactions

• Banks and Financial Institutions

• Investors

• Sovereign Wealth Funds

• Financial Advisors

• Consultants

• Government Authorities

• Strategic Partners

• External Auditors

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering Economics, or a related field.

• Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline preferred.

Professional Certifications

• CFA, CPA, ACCA, CMA, FRM, MBA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred.

Skills

• Development finance

• Commercial and investment analysis

• Financial modelling and valuation

• Capital allocation and portfolio management

• Business case development

• Funding and financing strategies

• Strategic financial planning

• Stakeholder and investor management

• Executive leadership

• Governance and risk management

Experience

Years of Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in development finance, corporate finance, investment management, project finance, commercial finance, or related disciplines.

Nature of Experience

• Leading development finance and commercial functions within large-scale development, infrastructure, real estate, or investment organizations.

• Managing complex investment evaluations, funding strategies, and capital allocation decisions.

• Supporting executive leadership, boards, and investment committees with strategic financial recommendations.

• Managing relationships with investors, lenders, advisors, and strategic partners.

• Leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing significant project and portfolio financial performance.