Director, Sustainable Finance

ING Bank

ING Bank covers Wholesale and Retail Banking in Asia Pacific. Our Wholesale Banking business is present and active in 11 major economies in the Asia Pacific, namely Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Job Profile Summary

Sustainable Business is the future. A growing number of major companies around the world are adopting sustainable business strategies to ensure their long-term profitability. As a result, new sectors are emerging and business models are being developed that require innovative financial solutions.

Companies are looking for banks which will finance their transitions towards net zero and more sustainable business models. This provides ING with solid business opportunities, which are both profitable as well as a contribution to a sustainable global economy.

ING recognises the importance of sustainability, which is a core pillar of its overall global strategy. ING has developed a direction to support its clients' sustainable transitions in its Wholesale Banking business. ING has received high rankings in sustainability indices and is considered a leader for its integrated approach towards sustainable business in the Wholesale Bank. Furthermore, ING is a global leader in the sustainable loan and bond markets.

The Sustainable Finance team is growing as a strategic team, and provides sustainable financing solutions to clients globally and through its regional hubs in Amsterdam, Singapore, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, New York, Sydney and Seoul.  To extend coverage of our core clients in the Asia Pacific region, the Sustainable Finance team is hiring a Vice President or Director in Hong Kong to build out our sustainable finance offering to our clients in Hong Kong and China and amplify our visibility and presence in the market.

We are seeking to recruit a senior member with strong sustainable finance expertise, a proven track-record in advising companies on their sustainability journeys and a solid understanding of corporate and investment banking products. Based in Hong Kong, you will be an integral part of the Asia Pacific team and expected to take on both client work in Hong Kong, China and the wider Asia Pacific region and other strategic initiatives related to sustainability and sustainable finance.

Job Responsibilities:

As a senior team member, you will be working closely with the team to position ING as a leader in the global sustainability space with a specific focus on Hong Kong and China. This is primarily to be done through our sustainable finance product origination and execution work streams and also through sustainability-related advisory. We expect the successful candidate to also take on additional workstreams related to stakeholder engagement, strategic projects and innovation in sustainability and sustainable finance.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Transaction work
  • Competently lead on origination, structuring and execution work streams in relation to sustainable finance products (i.e. green, social, sustainability, sustainability-linked loans and bonds and other sustainable finance products) and to bring deals to a successful close with a primary focus on Hong Kong and China.

• Profiling
  • Support the team’s efforts to enhance external and internal profiling to maintain and enhance ING's leadership in sustainability and sustainable finance Hong Kong and China and beyond.
  • Work with and develop partnerships with various external stakeholders (e.g. ESG rating agencies, regulators, external working groups and industry associations).

• Embedment
  • Support the team’s efforts to further embed sustainability and sustainable finance throughout the ING APAC organization.
  • Work closely with the sector and relationship managers to originate transactions and to upskill and empower them to spot sustainable finance opportunities early and take more ownership of the consequent deals.

• Research
  • To stay on top of new sustainability and sustainable finance standards and best market practices to capture new opportunities and manage risks.
  • Conduct research and keep abreast of industry updates on sustainability topics, including climate risk, environmental and social corporate practices, and biodiversity.

What we're looking for:

A commercially oriented candidate who can support the team’s strategy to expand the Sustainable Finance business in Hong Kong and China further, with the following dispositions and competencies:

• At least 10 years of experience in corporate client-facing role, ideally in sustainable financing, but if not, then experience across sustainability advisory and/or consulting and banking.
• Has proven track record in sustainable finance / corporate ESG integration.
• A good understanding or working knowledge of corporate banking products (loans, bonds, financial derivatives, advisory, etc.).
• Self starter with high level of self-motivation. Passionate that a sustainable change and impact is needed and is willing to be a trailblazer to ‘take it on and make it happen’.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with outstanding relationship building capabilities.
• Effective and demonstrated team player, helping others to succeed.
• Quick learner and an adaptable mindset.
• Detail oriented and analytical.
• Fluent in English and Mandarin (verbal and written).
• Certification as Associate Credit Risk Management Professional is a plus.
• Certification as Associate Green and Sustainable Finance Professional is a plus.
• Graduate or post-graduate degree holder in Business/Finance and / or sustainability related academic background or other relevant disciplines.