Structured Origination Lead

Company Description

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

Job Description

We are looking for a senior Structured Origination professional to join our Corporate & Investment Banking franchise. This is a high-impact origination and execution role focused on developing client relationships, originating opportunities, mobilising capital and delivering complex financing solutions across African and international markets.

The successful candidate will have a proven ability to build trusted relationships with C-suite executives, sponsors, development finance institutions (DFIs), sovereign entities and institutional investors; identify, shape and convert complex opportunities into mandates and revenue; and actively manage a robust pipeline across priority client segments, sectors and markets.

Drawing on deep knowledge of African credit and capital markets, the successful candidate will originate, structure and execute complex financing solutions across sovereign, financial institution and corporate clients.

The role sits at the intersection of clients, markets, capital, risk and execution, partnering seamlessly with Coverage, Global Markets, Investment Banking and Transaction Banking teams to lead client engagements, pitches and solution discussions; structure innovative financing and risk management solutions; and drive transactions from origination through structuring, approval, execution and close. The role requires commercial drive, technical depth, strong market judgement and personal accountability for revenue growth, wallet share expansion and the deepening of strategic client relationships across multiple markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Originate and execute structured financing and risk management opportunities across priority client segments, sectors and markets.
• Develop and maintain senior client relationships to identify, shape and convert opportunities into mandates and revenue.
• Build and actively manage a robust pipeline of opportunities, with clear accountability for business development and transaction origination.
• Partner with Coverage, Global Markets, Investment Banking and Transaction Banking teams to identify client needs and deliver integrated solutions.
• Lead client engagements, pitches and solution discussions, translating client objectives into commercially viable transaction opportunities.
• Structure innovative financing and risk management solutions tailored to client requirements, balancing client outcomes with the bank's risk and return objectives.
• Develop innovative financing structures and solutions that address complex client requirements not met by traditional market products.
• Lead transactions from origination through structuring, approval, execution and closing.
• Lead engagement with institutional investors, insurers and distribution partners to support syndication, risk transfer and capital mobilisation strategies.
• Work closely with investor, syndication and distribution teams to align client financing requirements with investor appetite, supporting successful execution and risk distribution.
• Maintain active market coverage and identify emerging opportunities, industry trends and strategic themes that can be translated into business opportunities for the franchise.
• Contribute to revenue generation, wallet share growth and the deepening of strategic client relationships through both origination and solution delivery.
• Represent the franchise with clients, sponsors, DFIs, sovereigns and other market participants to strengthen market presence, credibility and influence across markets.

Qualifications

Qualification: First Degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline.

Experience Required

15+ years' experience in structured finance, credit origination, syndication and/or distribution, with advanced expertise in originating, structuring, pricing and executing bespoke financing solutions.

Strong track record across African credit and capital markets, including sovereign, financial institution and corporate clients, with demonstrated ability to mobilise capital, develop investor relationships and deliver commercially successful transactions.

Proven ability to originate opportunities, build strategic client relationships, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and deliver innovative financing solutions that create value for both clients and the bank.

Additional Information

Behavioural Competencies:

• Interacting with People and Articulating Information.
• Convincing People and Developing Expertise.
• Exploring Possibilities and Generating Ideas.
• Seizing Opportunities and Developing Strategies.
• Making Decisions and Pursuing Goals.
• Embracing Change and Upholding Standards.

Technical Competencies:

• Deal Negotiation and Financial Acumen.
• Financial Industry Regulatory Framework and Product and Services Knowledge.
• Product Knowledge (Trading, Transacting) and Sales Planning and Reporting.
• Technology Savvy and Verbal Communication.