Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Finance, Institutional Banking Group

DBS Bank

  • Singapore
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 30 days ago
Business FunctionDBS Institutional Banking Group (IBG) provides corporate customers with a full range of commercial banking products and services, including trade finance, working capital finance, term loans, project finance, strategic advisory services and capital markets fundraising. Through our continued commitment, DBS has cultivated long-standing relationships with its customers in the region. Well-connected in Asia, IBG serves multinational, large and small to medium sized customers to grow their business.DBS launched its Responsible Financing Standard in 2017. The Standard applies to all lending and capital markets products and services within DBS Bank Ltd and its banking subsidiaries. We are the first bank in Singapore to sign up to the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) in 2021, and the first in Southeast Asia to publish a concrete and comprehensive set of targets for our Scope 3 financed emissions. These targets will guide us on strategically channelling financing away from high-emitting activities towards low-carbon alternatives.Decarbonisation targets have been set for seven sectors: 1) Power, 2) Oil & Gas, 3) Automotive, 4) Aviation, 5) Shipping, 6) Steel, and 7) Real Estate. Data coverage targets have also been set for two sectors 1) Food & Agribusiness and 2) Chemicals, paving the way for future emission reduction targets. The seven decarbonisation targets were developed based on internationally recognised and industry-accepted glidepaths such as The International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario.With our vision to be the Best Bank for a Better World, we see immense opportunity to make significant climate-positive impact through the provision of advisory and financing services to our customers to facilitate and accelerate their decarbonization journeyResponsibilities1. Strategy Development and Team Leadership
  • As Head of IBG Sustainability, the role will be responsible for developing & articulating strategies to scale the Sustainable Finance business in IBG across DBS markets with particular focus on the 9 industry sectors mentioned above and the SME/Midcap segment.
  • Create a “Centre of Excellence”/“Brain Trust” within the Sustainability Team, in conjunction with Industry Heads, to ideate & catalyse new business opportunities and solutions arising from ESG developments in various industries and geographies.
As such, the role is expected to be pro-active in keeping abreast and understanding developments in ESG policy including regulatory frameworks, taxonomies and also major sustainability initiatives so as to be an early-mover in leveraging the implications of such developments for the IBG business from a revenue and risk perspective.
  • Develop and enhance the “growth mindset” culture within the existing team. Organize the existing Sustainability Team resources to effectively deliver agreed strategy.
  • Oversee strategy implementation by the Sustainability team, ensuring regular cadence between the Sustainability Team and industry/Country Relationship Managers (RM) to develop a pipeline of sustainable financing and advisory opportunities.
  • The role will be lead advocate in IBG and externally for integrating sustainability at the core of our business and operations, transforming our net-zero commitments into business opportunities and fostering a culture of sustainability within IBG and beyond.
  • The role will also seek to establish thought-leadership and impact in the sustainable finance arena through active engagement in major public and private ESG initiatives and industry groups.
2. Sustainable Business Enabler * Ensure up-to-date research on sustainability topics, including climate risk, sectoral GHG emissions, biodiversity, environmental and social practices in the region and internationally.
  • Keeping abreast of industry ESG best practices, trends and issues, communicating, training and raising awareness to internal stakeholders
  • Carry out ESG due diligence on high-impact transactions in line with best practices, such as the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards;
  • Oversee the development of systems for the effective collation, measurement and analysis of sustainable finance data including tracking our performance against our net-zero pathways for the 9 sectors, market leadership data, asset and liability growth data and other KPIs;
  • Identify and develop tools and training for IBG RMs to accelerate the mainstreaming of Sustainable solutions throughout our RM network.
3. Stakeholder Engagement
  • Develop a deep repository of knowledge within the team with respect to global industry trends in sustainable finance including taxonomies, best-practice ESG measurement standards and reporting methodologies so as to serve as a trusted advisor internally and also to clients;
  • Engage key internal stakeholders comprising Industry and Country heads to regularly evaluate progress against agreed business targets and to ensure pipeline development and conversion;
  • Work with Risk Management Group and IBG on mitigation of ESG risks in the portfolio and contribute to the development of strategies to build a credible climate-positive portfolio in line with our Path to Net Zero for the nine sectors;
  • Work with Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) to serve as a point of contact for engagements with regulators, governmental agencies, industry associations, NGOs and other relevant agencies/bodies on sustainability matters and where required, collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure appropriate responses and communication.
4. Governance and Reporting
  • Work with CSO office and internal stakeholders to collate information for various sustainability reporting, e.g. Sustainability Review, NZBA reporting, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, Equator Principles, and Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainability and regularly report progress to Senior Management team and relevant stakeholders.
  • Ensure transparent and accurate reporting on sustainability metrics in alignment with industry standards.
  • Oversee and manage the build and enhancement of data systems and analytic tools to effectively & efficiently measure ESG impact from both a revenue, risk and returns perspective. This also includes the creation of client-facing digital tools to augment the team’s marketing of ESG advisory services.
Requirements
  • At least 20 years of proven leadership track record and expertise in franchise-building, corporate client-facing role in the areas of ESG/climate advisory, and/or environmental and social consulting;
  • Demonstrates experience and ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders externally and internally in the area of sustainability-related matters;
  • Possesses a broad and deep network of senior relationships within the ESG and relevant industry sectors;
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degrees in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering are preferred;
  • Proven ability and track record in origination, leading and execution of sustainable finance solutions across multiple teams;
  • Experience working in leading financial institutions in related areas/sectors and possessing a deep familiarity with banking products and solutions including project finance, trade finance, treasury & markets, capital markets and M&A;
  • Familiar with international environmental and social policies, procedures, and standards such as IFC performance standards and/or GHG Protocol and possessing in-depth environmental and social due diligence experience;
  • Proficient in project management with an ability to understand data systems
Apply nowWe offer a competitive salary and benefits package and the professional advantages of a dynamic environment that supports your development and recognises your achievements.

DBS Bank