Investment Manager, Sustainable Infrastructure/Cities

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.
The Climate Investmentteam is responsible for developing and managing sustainable impact funds, as well as other facilities, vehicles and platforms for investments in climate action. Our scope of expertise covers a variety of topics related to sustainable land-use, low-carbon energy, climate-smart cities and/or clean technology, to name just a few. If you are a smart, ambitious and dynamic sustainability professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, the below position may be right for you
Job summary: South Pole is one of the partners in a consortium of European institutions who have been
mandated to work with European cities to implement, action and finance their Net Zero InvestmentPlans to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. This mandate, known as NetZeroCities (NZC), is aninitiative launched as part of the European Green Deal and directly linked to the EuropeanCommission's Mission for 100 Climate-neutral and Smart Cities by 2030.South Pole is given the mandate to hire a City Finance Specialist (CFS) for the Italian cities withbackgrounds in finance and sustainability. The CFS for the Italian cities will be responsible forguiding cities in the implementation of their Net Zero Investment Plans and connecting citystakeholders to public and private capital.
Main tasks & responsibilities: ? Provide Tailored Financial Expertise: Offer direct, tailor-made financial expertise, training,and advice to cities as they develop and implement investment projects aimed at achievingclimate neutrality. This includes assessing financial needs, identifying funding sources, anddeveloping financial strategies aligned with city objectives.
? Deepen Local Knowledge and Networks: Build and maintain strong relationships with keyinternal and external stakeholders within cities, including public and private sector entities.Develop a deep understanding of local contexts, priorities, and challenges to effectively tailorfinancial solutions and facilitate investment opportunities.
? Mobilise Public and Private Sector Financing: Engage extensively with investors to mobilisepublic and private sector financing for city investment projects. This involves leveraging theirexisting private sector financing relationships to conduct investor outreach, facilitateinvestment discussions, and structure financial transactions to meet investor requirements
? Overcome Investment Barriers: Identify and address barriers to investment by tailoring
financial solutions and assisting cities in developing portfolios of commercial projects. Workclosely with cities to optimise project structures and enhance investor interest across multipleurban contexts.
? Advise on Financial Strategies: Collaborate with city stakeholders to develop and implementfinancial strategies that support the achievement of climate neutrality goals. Provide guidanceon financing mechanisms, investment frameworks, and risk management strategies tomaximise the impact of city investment projects.
? Aptitude and flexibility to Travel: The role will require both extensive inter and intra-regionaltravel, with this at times being at short notice.
? Develop and improve specialised skills and knowledge linked to topics and services offered bySouth Pole.
? Support the development of South Pole's thought leadership, services, products, marketing materials and offerings.
Requirements: Essential -

? University degree in infrastructure development and financing and in a sustainability-relatedfield.
? Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships andcollaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
? Financial transactional and execution skills.
? Knowledge of local and national financial ecosystems, frameworks and sustainability fundinginitiatives.
? Ability to advocate for their employer, representing and reflecting the firm's culture, principlesand values.
? Relevant work experience (the expectation is a minimum of 5 years) in infrastructure financingand technical assistance, sustainability consulting, grant/investment management, knowledgemanagement, stakeholder engagement or other related fields;
? Excellent project management skills, from both a technical and administrative standpoint, andproven ability to guide project teams in a multi-stakeholder and multi-geographies context.
? Excellent writing skills, with proven expertise in creating and reviewing high-quality writtendocuments (proposals and deliverables).
? Excellent stakeholder and client management skills.
? Infrastructure-relevant connections, with a dense network of potential clients, collaborators orother relevant stakeholders.
? Understanding of environmental sustainability challenges and specific technical assistanceand/or platform management experience in the relevant areas of the practice.
? Excellent oral and written skills in Italian and English, as well as eventually German, French,any other international language.

Desirable -
? Minimum of 5 years in a financial role - preferably financial analysis, project finance, financialtransactions and execution, or similar, with a primary focus on sustainable finance highlypreferable.
? Comprehensive understanding of financial markets, financial structuring, and investmentinstruments as they apply to sustainability projects.
? Demonstrated ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, and drive results in a fast-paced, transactional environment.
? Prior experience working with cities and/or public sector institutions engaging and delivering onsustainable project development.
? Proven experience of engagement with private sector financing institutions.
? Specific sectoral project experience in urban sustainable infrastructure e.g. renewable energy,energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, district heating and cooling, etc.
What we offer: At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.
We're a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make and South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

#J-18808-Ljbffr