Director, Asset Management

Job Description

JOHN LAING GROUP

John Laing is a leading international investor in core infrastructure projects and businesses. We are a long-term and responsible investor with a strategy focused on developing and delivering core infrastructure in OECD countries.

Our business is focused on two investment areas:

1. Business & Platforms: physical businesses and platforms with long-term predictable and resilient cash flows that are less cyclical or correlated to the broader economy.
2. PPP & Projects: developing and delivering PPP and “PPP-like” greenfield project opportunities in sectors such as transportation, campus energy, specialised accommodation, and water.

Over its history, John Laing has invested in, and managed, over 150 assets globally. John Laing currently manages a diversified portfolio of over 40 investments with assets under management of approximately £3 billion. We invest across the spectrum of development, in construction, and already operational assets, and across a range of sectors, including transportation, energy and utilities, telecommunications and social infrastructure.

John Laing has an experienced team of investors and asset managers operating across offices covering the UK & Europe, North America, Australia, and Colombia.

THE ROLE & OPPORTUNITY

The purpose of the role is to provide asset management leadership for John Laing on portfolio companies and projects within the current and growing portfolio, with full accountability for achieving the company’s KPIs for these assets, including risk management, cash yield and valuation growth. This will require the drive and expertise necessary to establish and maintain John Laing’s governance, leadership and best practices on our assets, as well as driving performance and leading major transactions and other initiatives within the portfolio e.g., refinancings, restructurings; performance management; and assisting as a member of the deal team on new acquisitions for the business if/when required.

The role will require a close working relationship with the Global Head of Asset Management and other members of the Senior Management Group, members of the European asset management team; the Portfolio & Risk Management team; the Valuations team; and the Investments team that works to originate and close investment opportunities for the business.

The role will require significant interface with – and governance of – the management teams of portfolio companies, particularly in the telecommunications and healthcare sectors.

John Laing is currently invested in a broad range of core infrastructure assets in the UK & Europe, including transportation projects in the UK, Netherlands and Norway; social accommodation projects in the UK and Republic of Ireland; telecommunications and healthcare accommodation platforms in the Republic of Ireland, and renewable energy projects in Germany. Furthermore, the company currently has a strong pipeline across our target core infrastructure asset classes in the region. This role will initially be focused on the company’s telecommunications and healthcare accommodation platforms in the Republic of Ireland.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

In this position at John Laing, the key responsibilities include:

Portfolio/Project Company Directorships:

• Director of Project Co boards, in particular on large, complex operating infrastructure businesses – undertake the responsibilities of a company director according to lawful and ethical standards and John Laing internal procedures.
• Influencing and directing other shareholders, board members (where relevant) and management teams to devise practical plans that lead to the securing of measurable improvements, including achievement of financial targets related to investment, cash flow, valuation and returns.
• Provide senior level steering to management teams.

Asset Management:

• Day-to-day management of assets, including risk management, cash management (e.g., equity injections, dividends), and full and detailed knowledge of project status and challenges.
• New project start-up activities, including recruitment of management staff and establishment of 100-day plans, key processes, and strategic approach.
• Issue management, including active working alongside project executive management teams to resolve project issues, for example revenue forecasts, construction delays, claims, operational performance matters, and safety and quality issues.
• Regular internal and MSA reporting on project status and issues, including valuation reporting and reporting to the AssetCo and DevCo boards.
• Coordinate and participate in project and theme reviews and audits, and drive successful resolution of actions thereof.
• Provide specialist support to Investments teams in the pursuit of new investment opportunities, including advising on Project Co budgets and asset management approach.

Value Protection and Enhancement Initiatives:

• Lead efforts, often alongside management teams, partners, clients, advisors and other stakeholders to identify, structure and deliver technical, commercial, and financial solutions to project challenges.
• Identify, develop, gain approvals for, and execute value enhancement initiatives.
• Support the quarterly valuation process, and take full accountability for the value performance and cash yield of the assets.

General:

• Comply with all health and safety, quality and environment legislation and standards.
• Carry out additional ad hoc duties as required as part of the John Laing Group, including specific portfolio-wide tasks and initiatives, as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS required

• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in infrastructure/management and/or investments.
• Experience in the delivery phase of large complex infrastructure platforms and business (and/or platforms and businesses), including demonstrable experience in overseeing and driving management team performance.
• Commercial/contract management experience.
• Director-level experience in comparable assets.
• Experience in financial management, reporting, planning, budgeting, analysis and project financing processes.
• Ideally experience at board level.
• Experience with managing lender and advisor relationships.
• Experience in influencing decision making within a consortium and/or co-shareholding environment.

CHARACTERISTICS AND LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

• A result-, action bias and performance mindset are critical.
• Effective communication, influencing and presentation skills.
• Focused, pragmatic and strong attention to detail.
• Intellectual curiosity.
• Values-driven with high integrity and transparency.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Private medical and dental insurance.
• Paid Volunteering days.
• Charity related projects.
• Employee Resource Group.
• Flexible working.
• Training.
• Wellbeing allowance.
• Holiday Purchase.
• Group Life Assurance.
• Group Income Protection.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Corporate Gym membership.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced financial professional to join the John Laing Group.

MORE ABOUT US

We are an equal opportunities employer. At John Laing, we value the unique skills, experiences and backgrounds of every employee, and have a wide range of D&I initiatives across the organisation. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or belief.

Personal Data: John Laing retains applicants’ personal data solely for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating applications and contacting candidates to discuss job opportunities. For further detail, on our Data Privacy Policy, please contact our HR department.