Lada Project Finance Infrastructure & Telecom - Associate

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.
In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.
The anticipated salary range for this role is between $150,000.00 and $200,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.
Role Description
SMBC's Global Structured Finance Department is looking for an Associate to join its Latin America Project Finance Infrastructure & Telecom division. The division is consistently ranked at the top of the Project Finance league tables.
The Latin America Project Finance Group is a leading banking franchise providing advisory, structuring, and lending services to large strategic investors and private equity sponsors. The Infrastructure & Telecom division covers the origination, structuring and execution of complex infrastructure Project Finance transactions in Latin America, including transportation (ports, airports, roads, bridges, rail, subways, etc.), social infrastructure (hospitals, schools, detention centers, government facilities, etc.) water (aqueducts, irrigation, desalination, water treatment, etc) and telecom (cell towers, fiber optic, data centers, etc.)
With a strong focus on debt structuring and arranging, you will be involved in all stages of transactions, from composing early-stage proposals and pitch books, to due diligence and execution, and ultimately to managing a successful financial close.
The Associate will provide analytical and marketing support to senior bankers through the preparation of financial models, complex credit analyses, credit applications, term sheets, presentation materials (pitch books), and industry research.
This position reports directly to the Head of the Infrastructure & Telecom division.
Role Objectives

• Participate in the due diligence of new transactions with an emphasis on understanding the basic elements of the deal, how those relate to assessing risk, and ultimately structuring the transaction to mitigate risk.
• Build and manipulate financial models for Project Finance clients and transactions, with an emphasis on using "best practices" and growing comfortable with increasingly more complex structures.
• Support senior team members and participate in the negotiation, structuring, and execution of new transactions. Cross-sell products (DCM, Financial Advisory, Ratings Advisory, etc.)
• Prepare and present internal memos for new transactions, assess profitability, prepare credit applications and coordinate, delegate, and review work of Analysts to complete all internal workflow required for approvals, middle/back-office checks, etc. to facilitate the timely execution of new transactions.
• Provide execution leadership by managing workflows and resource allocation, including providing guidance, feedback, and oversight of Analysts.
• Continuously monitor and manage existing transactions, including the credit review and processing of waivers and amendments, internal reports, and special credit requirements.
• Ensure compliance of all internal and external matters in accordance with banking regulations, bank policy and best practices.
• Undertake research and analytics related to specific sectors, regions or loans, and stay abreast of industry trends, opportunities, and general market conditions.
• Support marketing and origination of new transactions by preparing pitch books and marketing materials and attending client meetings with senior colleagues.
• Provide ad hoc reports for management.
• Attend bank meetings, industry events, conferences, and seminars.

Qualifications and Skills

• English and Spanish, Portuguese a plus.
• Strong financial modeling skills.
• Knowledge of Latin America's region (local markets as well as political and economic dynamics in Latin America).
• Team player, self-motivated person with strong attention to details.
• Works well in a culturally diverse and team-oriented environment. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and an interest in continuous learning.
• Good understanding of Project Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Public Finance, Structured Finance, Project Bonds, Project Loans, Loan Sales & Syndication, Debt Capital Markets, Financial Advisory, Investment Banking, Financial Guarantees, PPPs is a plus
• 3-5 years of relevant professional experience in Project Finance, leveraged finance, or investment banking viewed positively.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, ability to synthesize large amounts of information, analyze risk and identify mitigating factors.
• Highly collaborative and flexible in a team and client environment and ability to form good relationships internally and externally. Good communication and presentation skills both written and verbal; comfortable presenting and negotiating externally with clients and key industry contacts and internally with senior management and credit department. Able to coordinate and communicate with various internal departments across the bank (middle/back office, Nikko, USCB, global counterparties.)
• Demonstrates leadership ability and can provide mentorship, guidance, and training to junior colleagues on the team.
• Ability to organize thoughts and clearly articulate points and provide summaries and explanations of transactions, verbally or in writing to management or other internal departments.
• Experience in preparing credit applications, performing cash flow analysis, ability to read and interpret financial statements, and strong accounting skills. Must be proficient in the use of MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail and an ability to complete work accurately and in a timely manner against strict deadlines.

SMBC's employees participate in a hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. SMBC provides reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at accommodations@smbcgroup.com.