Director, Direct Equity Department

The Director leads IFC's Direct Equity Department providing strategic and operational leadership for the global direct equity investment business. The role involves implementing IFC's direct equity strategy, providing technical leadership to regional teams, and ensuring portfolio quality and development impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and evolution of IFC's global direct equity strategy aligned with IFC 2030 priorities.
• Provide global technical leadership and set standards for direct equity investing across sectors and regions.
• Support regional and industry teams in originating, structuring, negotiating, and executing complex direct equity investments.
• Advance approaches to mobilize private capital through co-investments, strategic partnerships, and scalable investment structures.
• Represent IFC in senior client engagements and external forums related to direct equity and private capital.
• Provide global oversight of IFC's direct equity portfolio and support regional portfolio teams in strengthening performance and governance.
• Establish rigorous approaches to equity valuation, portfolio monitoring, capital allocation, and risk management.
• Drive active value creation across the portfolio including governance, strategic improvements, and timely responses to underperforming investments.
• Guide portfolio optimization and exit strategies balancing financial returns and development impact.
• Promote systematic learning and sharing of investment and portfolio experience across regions and sectors.
• Manage financial and talent resources including hiring, developing, and retaining diverse talent.
• Provide leadership and people management fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive culture.
• Lead effectively across organizational boundaries and matrix relationships with regional and industry teams.
• Manage the Department's budget focusing on efficiency and deployment of resources toward priority needs.

Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in direct equity investing, investment banking, corporate finance, asset management, development finance, or related fields.
• Demonstrated track record of originating, structuring, executing, and managing complex direct equity investments.
• Substantial experience in emerging markets with a strong record of financial performance and development impact.
• Deep expertise across the equity investment lifecycle including valuation, transaction structuring, corporate governance, active portfolio management, value creation, restructurings, and exits.
• Strong commercial judgment and investment discipline with ability to balance financial returns, risk, additionality, development impact, and long-term institutional objectives.
• Ability to shape and implement investment strategy and provide technical leadership across multiple sectors, regions, and organizational units.
• Proven ability to mobilize and crowd in private capital, build strong relationships with investee companies, co-investors, and strategic partners.
• Capacity to lead through influence in a complex global organization and develop high-performing, collaborative, and diverse teams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to engage with senior management and represent IFC in global forums.

Skills

• Direct Equity Investing
• Investment Banking
• Corporate Finance
• Asset Management
• Development Finance
• Equity Investment Lifecycle
• Valuation
• Transaction Structuring
• Corporate Governance
• Portfolio Management
• Value Creation
• Restructurings
• Investment Exits
• Financial Performance Analysis
• Emerging Markets
• Investment Strategy Development
• Technical Leadership
• Private Sector Capital Mobilization
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Team Leadership
• Strategic Communications

Languages

English