Executive Director, Head of Leverage Finance Syndicate & Distribution

JOB PURPOSE

The role is to lead a newly established Leveraged Finance Syndicate & Distribution (LFSD) vertical under Loan Syndicate & Distribution (LSD).

LSD provides critical market intelligence, loan underwriting and distribution skills in support of FAB’s GCF Loan Businesses. LSD works closely with the GCF Loan Origination (LO) teams to provide optimal financing solutions for FAB’s clients and deliver growth to the GCF’s loan product revenues.

LFSD vertical covers leveraged and acquisition financing, Term Loan Bs, loan facilities linked to listings/delistings, share sales, NAV financings, fund finance, and Diversified Payment Rights (DPRs).

With FAB’s increased efforts towards increasing wallet share in Leveraged Finance markets, this role carries the responsibility of using the reputation and market knowledge of the LSD team to support the growth ambitions. The purpose of the job is to:

• Identify loan underwriting and syndication opportunities in the leveraged finance space. Underwrite, bookrun and distribute syndicated loans.
• Identify and execute secondary trade opportunities.
• Manage execution and support business development leading to revenue growth and assist in origination of new loan facilities covered by LFSD through effective distribution.
• Lead, review and supervise all market activity related to underwriting, primary syndication and secondary purchase and sales.

Generic Accountability

• In coordination with the Head of LSD, develop the FAB’s LFSD capabilities while adapting to the competitive, regulatory and environmental factors impacting the industry and our clients.
• Work with the Head of LSD to build and maintain relationships with the senior management of banks, financial institutions, private credit funds and CLO managers.
• Provide quality inputs into pitches to win major leveraged financing mandates. Lead subsequent execution and distribution.
• Work with other LSD team members to support business plan, service the existing clients and establish new relationships.
• Establish and foster strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders (e.g. IB&M, WB and PCG Coverage, Credit, CAD, Legal and Compliance, etc.).
• Be responsible for the management of revenue, expenses and KPI targets for LFSD.
• Assist in the implementation of new products as required.

Provide mentorship to junior members of the team, especially the UAENs under the Ethraa programme.

Specific Accountability

• In coordination with Head of LSD, develop the overall strategy LFSD. Emphasis on the underwriting decisions and processes, primary syndication and secondary sale.
• With guidance from Head of LSD and in coordination with other team members, develop an optimal coverage model for Loan Distribution – especially private credit funds and CLO managers, who are key investors to leveraged finance transaction – while ensuring effectiveness in identifying business opportunities, addressing client needs, and sustaining profitable business growth for GCF.
• Act as the go‑to‑person for leveraged finance transaction in FAB’s underwriting book and be responsible for taking and extinguishing underwriting risks within the bank’s approved framework and policies.

Lead negotiations of key underwriting and syndication / distribution terms with strategic clients, banks and investors, in conjunction with the relevant teams as necessary, ensuring the bank receives favourable terms to contribute to business growth.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in finance / accounting / business or related discipline. MBA / CA and/or professional qualifications.
• Proficient in English oral and written communication.
• Good interpersonal, motivation, resource management and marketing‑orientated skills.

• 10/12 years relevant experience in corporate and leveraged financing, in similar positions of progressively increasing managerial responsibilities in the senior function.
• Strategic thinker and agent for change.
• Good understanding of US and European leveraged finance markets, structures (including Term Loan Bs) and distribution liquidity pools.
• Proven track record of delivery of critical projects.
• Good coaching skills.