Sustainable Debt Associate

Arlington, Virginia, USA

This is a hybrid role. Eligible location for this position are Arlington, VA .Currently, the team works two days in the office and three days remotely.

*Open until filled. 

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Impact Finance & Markets division (IFM) at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) provides technical and strategic leadership to create transformational impact with the private sector by translating the value of nature and conservation approaches into actionable, science-based strategies that can help solve societal challenges. The Sustainable Debt Team (a sub-team of IFM) collaborates with TNC’s global conservation teams and country offices to help achieve TNC’s 2030 goals by structuring and implementing sovereign debt solutions that generate new funding for conservation and enable governments to make and achieve ambitious conservation policy commitments, such as in the 2021 Blue Bond in Belize and the 2022 Blue Bond in Barbados.  

The Sustainable Debt Associate will be a core member on several multidisciplinary transaction deal teams working to develop and implement sovereign debt transactions focused on conservation outcomes. They will engage in all aspects of deal origination, structuring, and negotiation, as well as internal approvals, capital raising, and investor relations. Key responsibilities shall also include developing flexible and transparent financial models (including the incorporation of credit enhancements and blended finance), performing due diligence and risk assessments, drafting internal and external information memoranda, and structuring and closing deals. The initial focus of the position will be to support senior transaction leads (Director level) and contribute to the entire deal development and closing process, with the aim of eventually taking ownership over specific transactions with Director or Managing Director oversight. The Associate will generally be supported by an Analyst and/or Project Coordinator on each deal team.

The Sustainable Debt Associate will report to the Managing Director, Sustainable Debt. Eligible location for this position are Arlington, VA, USA . Currently, the Team has a hybrid working model: two days in the office and three days remotely. 

The Sustainable Debt Associate will be involved with transactions under TNC’s Nature Bonds Program from initial scoping to final negotiations and financial close.. The Associate will collaborate with staff across The Nature Conservancy, including Sustainable Debt Team Directors and Project Managers, Regional and Country Directors, Global Protect, Climate, and other central teams, government relations associates, lead scientists, and senior management, as well as partner organizations, such as multilateral and bilateral institutions, capital market investors, investment banks, and national governments. The Associate will bring sophisticated business, financial, credit, and economic analysis, and structured finance expertise, including financial modeling, pitch deck creation, credit/information and internal approval memorandum drafting experience, due diligence, deal structuring, and negotiation skills to the design and implementation of this work. They will approach all work with a spirit of collaboration and respect for colleagues and partners across geographies, cultures, and subject matter expertise.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Assists the origination and closing of multiple sovereign debt transactions (each expected to be $250+ MM) with oversight by Sustainable Debt Directors.
• Develops content for internal and external audiences including but not limited to decks, project briefs, term sheets, and risk assessments.
• Develops, audits, and maintains complex financial models.
• Supports communications and relationship management with financial institutions, credit enhancers, and other external partners.
• Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams  to ensure the work is strategically aligned and well-integrated across the organization.
• Participates in negotiations of term sheets and legal agreements associated with the origination, development, and closing of the transactions.
• Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• Travel associated with this position may be up to 20% of the time.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Bachelor of Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or similar university degree required.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in project finance, investment banking, credit structuring, debt capital markets, and/or transaction-oriented finance roles. Candidates with less than 4 years of relevant experience will not be considered for the position.
• Demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail and an ability to complete work accurately and in a timely manner against strict deadlines.
• Able to quickly learn and adapt to new processes and systems. Works well in a culturally diverse and team-oriented environment. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and an interest in continuous learning.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, ability to synthesize large amounts of information, analyze risk, and identify mitigating factors.
• Self-driven and motivated; takes personal ownership of specific assignments. Committed to developing high-end financial modeling skills and competency in the review and negotiation of project financing documentation.
• Ability to organize thoughts and clearly articulate points; provide summaries and explanations of transactions, verbally or in writing, to management or other internal departments.
• Experience developing and implementing complex projects and strategic initiatives in a matrixed environment.
• Experience negotiating complex legal agreements from a business/financial perspective.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MBA or advanced degree with a focus on Finance, Economics or a Finance-related professional designation (e.g. CFA, CPA, PMI) preferred.
• Solid 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.
• Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated; strong preference for fluent Spanish.
• Experience working with governments, multilateral/bilateral institutions, and debt capital markets/investment banks.
• Outstanding analytical and project management capabilities.
• Superior written and oral communications.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world! 

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

TNC bases our salaries on location and experience. The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $110,000- $125,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.