Principal Investment Specialist – Direct Equity Investments

Job Description

Principal Investment Specialist | Asian Development Bank

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Asian Development Bank, located in Manila, Philippines, with relocation required. The Asian Development Bank is dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. As a Principal Investment Specialist, you will lead direct equity investments, providing strategic advice and overseeing processing, administration, and portfolio management to foster prosperity and positive change in the region.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Fixed-term appointment
• Location: In-person – Manila, Philippines

• Team: Equity Investments Unit (OPSD-EIU) within the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD), reporting to the Advisor, PSOD and Head, Equity Investments Unit, overseeing Junior team members.
• Mission: Lead direct equity investments, providing strategic advice and overseeing processing, administration, and portfolio management to promote sustainable development.
• Tech Stack: ADB’s online document management system

What You’ll Actually Do
• Originate and Structure: Lead the origination of new investment opportunities, provide structuring advice for direct equity investments, and market ADB’s direct equity business to build a strong pipeline.
• Manage Accounts: Lead primary account and relationship responsibilities for assigned key accounts, including reviewing or approving covenant compliance reports, waivers, and exit proposals.
• Oversee Portfolio: Lead and oversee the monitoring of the financial health and development impact of the portfolio, ensuring strategic objectives are attained and compliance with safeguards.
• Develop Strategy: Lead the development of a sound portfolio management strategy, designing tools and models to optimize PSOD’s portfolio, and participating in new initiatives and change projects.
• Supervise Staff: Supervise the performance of team members, providing clear direction, regular monitoring, and feedback, while fostering their ongoing learning and development.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Master’s degree or equivalent in business administration, finance, or related fields.
• Experience: At least 12 years of combined professional financial and emerging markets experience in the private sector, with significant work in project processing, administration, and financial structuring across capital markets, financial institutions, corporate finance, and project finance. Demonstrated international experience across several countries and extensive knowledge of loan, investment, and credit products, particularly in developing markets, is essential.
• Skills: Knowledge and understanding of how to conduct advanced credit and valuation analysis for project & corporate finance, financial institutions, and private equity funds. Strong risk management expertise, including rating methodologies and risk categories (market, credit, operational). Ability to lead complex negotiations with investee companies, borrowers, fund managers, and other financial partners. Strong analytical and structuring capabilities. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, especially for business writing.
• Bonus: Experience in dealing with distressed assets.