Managing Director, SME Finance & Development

Purpose of Job

The Managing Director (MD), SME Finance & Development sets the direction and frameworks necessary to provide business advisory services to SMEs and start-ups as well as special SME financial products, collaborating and coordinating with other SME related delivery teams within Client Services Group (CSG, in particular Financial Institutions, Corporate Sector, Climate Strategy & Delivery, Policy Strategy & Delivery and country management), ensuring an integrated  approach to deliver on the EBRD SME Offer  This is done by implementing the products led by the Group or co-led with partner delivery teams in CSG and by fostering best practice, product innovation and ensuring essential donor mobilisation.

The appointment to this position is envisaged to be for an initial duration of 4 years, in line with the Bank’s practice for appointments to the Senior Leadership Group (SLG).   

Background & Scale

The SME Finance & Development Group is a core delivery unit within CSG, driving business advice and financing solutions for SMEs and start-ups across EBRD’s countries of operation. With 250+ staff across HQ and regional hubs, the Group works in close coordination with Country and Sector teams through aligned scorecards and business advice delivery objectives.

It leads the design and delivery of special financial products—such as risk-sharing facilities, sustainable supply chain financing, and ENEF—while advancing SME advisory services and non-financial solutions through partner institutions. The Group has delivered 1,500+ advisory projects and 430+ training events reaching over 91,000 SMEs.

Operating under a unified framework with other CSG teams, the Group engages extensively with Risk, Legal (OGC), Donor Partnerships, and Impact functions to deliver on its mandate. 

Accountabilties & Responsibilities

• Lead the design of the Bank’s EBRD SME Offer in full cooperation with the CSG delivery Groups and prepare delivery reports, including on impact, to the Board with contribution from such CSG delivery Groups
• Adapt the Group’s products to Country of Operation (COO) context, in consultation in particular with country management, and contribute to country strategies and their implementation
• Manage the Group’s ASB and special financial products’ delivery in maximum synergy with the other delivery Groups, in particular in Banking, and encouraging innovation with potential for scalability and replication across COOs.
• Set the Group’s scorecard, in consultation with VP, Banking - in alignment with Banking scorecard for financial products and establishing a specific scorecard for ASB maximising synergy with Banking, while ensuring implementation of KPIs agreed under donor agreements for measurable impact
• Work with the Donor Partnership team to mobilise donor resources for SME support for the EBRD SME Offer and specific programme/product implementation as well as to providing visibility of and reporting to, donors, while ensuring that such approach to donors is a joint one for EBRD, ie designed and presented together with other relevant delivery Groups
• Represent the Bank and support the First Vice President and fellow Managing Directors in high-level business and institutional relationships with the business community, relevant government members and officials of multilateral institutions and other public or private bodies;
• As a member of EBRD's senior management team, the MD will promote, contribute to and implement the Transformation Agenda to improve further the Bank's effectiveness and efficiency. 
• Accountable for the Group-specific MIS and ensure operational risk-awareness and full respect for compliance requirements
• As a member of EBRD’s senior leadership group, the MD is  expected to contribute to shaping and implementing corporate and CSG level strategies, policies and actions.
• Accountable for the allocation and management of the Group budget, including efficient and responsible donor funds management.
• Accountable for the management of the Group’s resources: coordinate and facilitate, in a collegial manner, the integration between the SME Group and the regional Business Groups to ensure optimal use of Bank’s resources and appropriate reflection of the SME objectives in Country Strategies, in line with the matrix organisation structure; promote cross-sectoral cooperation with other Sector Business Groups where relevant;
• Accountable for the effective and cohesive overall integration and management of the staff in the SME Group, including recruitment, compensation, performance management, coaching and professional development for skills necessary for the Group’s delivery, engagement as well as ensuring the team observes the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Leadership Competencies and Workplace Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive relevant international experience, preferably in a major commercial or development bank, with significant exposure to the EBRD region.
• International profile to represent the Bank and the sectors in the international arena;
• High level banking skills, experience and expertise in developing, structuring, negotiating and monitoring investment transactions , including with SMEs.
• Highly developed strategic thinking skills and demonstrated ability to identify common objectives and themes among varying interest groups and to translate strategic concepts and general policy direction into implementation plans.
• Proven track record of operational success at Director level or equivalent
• Extensive experience in attracting talent and in leading, motivating and developing a large high performing team, with a proven record of accomplishment in human and financial resource and managing in a matrix and joint delivery environment.
• Relevant academic background or equivalent combination of academic and professional qualifications.
• Strong partnership skills to enable positive engagement and contribution to the SLG and CLG, and other senior management groups, to contribute to the cohesiveness of the Bank's senior management and its drive behind the EBRD’s continuous improvement programme.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD 

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

The EBRD environment provides you with: 

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in. 
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).