Apply now

The CEFC is Australia’s specialist climate investor, helping cut emissions in the race towards net zero by 2050. With access to more than $33 billion from the Australian Government, we invest to deliver a positive return for taxpayers.


Bring your banking and transaction expertise to agriculture, forestry and carbon investments supporting Australia’s transition to net zero. Join the CEFC’s well regarded Natural Capital Investment team as an Associate Director - Natural Capital and contribute a fresh perspective to complex, innovative financing solutions.


Reporting to the Director – Natural Capital you will take day-to-day transaction carriage from structuring and negotiation through due diligence, credit assessment, investment committee approvals and documentation to financial close.


You will work mostly across debt financing structures, as well as occasionally across equity, directly or through funds, balancing commercial, community and carbon abatement outcomes with corporate and project risks.


Experience in agriculture, forestry or carbon would be beneficial but is not essential. The key requirement is transferable institutional or commercial banking and senior/lead transaction execution experience.


As a specialist investment vehicle of the Australian Government, the CEFC often invests in emerging asset classes and at the forefront of market trends. Success in the Natural Capital team therefore requires the ability to develop and execute transactions with flexibility, innovation, and creativity.


You will build lasting relationships with clients and counterparties, support origination and business development, and collaborate with internal credit, legal, finance, sustainability and communication specialists. The CEFC offers a collaborative, low-ego environment where purpose, learning, and expertise are valued.


The role you’ll play:


As Associate Director – Natural Capital, you will:


  • Manage Natural Capital transactions from structuring through to financial close.
  • Develop and negotiate investment terms across senior debt and bank aggregation programs (and at times) mezzanine and equity either directly or through funds.
  • Assess credit and investment risks, prepare investment papers, present to leadership teams, CEFC board and investment committees, and manage approvals.
  • Coordinate due diligence, advisers, and transaction documentation through to close.
  • Support origination and business development, maintain counterparty relationships and develop financing opportunities.
  • Report on the pipeline, share project learnings and lead and coach transaction teams.
  • Maintain knowledge of the sector, attend forums and conferences, represent the CEFC at events.


To be successful in this role, you will bring:


  • Seven or more years of structuring, negotiating and executing transactions in institutional or commercial banking, treasury, debt products, funds management or other financial institutions; with multiple complex and high value transactions taken to close.
  • Strong financing skills covering investment terms, structures, risk identification, due diligence, financial analysis and modelling, valuation, credit, documentation and investment papers.
  • Corporate banking and/or project risk experience. Exposure to agriculture, forestry, carbon or related property, project finance or infrastructure transactions is desirable, along with an interest in developing expertise in natural capital investments.
  • Clear communication of complex investment concepts to committees, boards, sponsors and advisers.
  • A strong commitment to the energy transition, nature-based and carbon sequestration solutions, sustainable finance, care for community and for the environment.
  • Commercial judgement, integrity and a solution-focused approach, balancing urgency and creativity with long-term risk discipline.
  • Ownership of outcomes and effective management of competing workstreams and tight deadlines.
  • A collaborative approach that builds trust with colleagues and senior stakeholders.
  • Previous people leadership or at least coaching/supervision experience is preferred.
  • Relevant tertiary qualifications in finance, accounting, commerce, mathematics, engineering or related quantitative discipline.


Are you ready to contribute to the achievement of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets?


If you're someone who’s driven to make a positive impact, exploring new frontiers, overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities, then the CEFC could be the place for you.


Apply online now - Don't procrastinate!

We review applications as we receive them, which means we may close the role earlier than the advertised close date if we discover the ideal candidate.


The successful candidate must have current Australian work rights and will be required to complete background checks, including security clearances if required, prior to commencement.

By registering your interest or applying for employment within the CEFC you acknowledge that we collect your personal information to enable us to carry out pre-employment checks.


Our Privacy Policy contains further information. Any information we collect is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982.


We request no unsolicited resumes or approaches from recruitment agencies.

The CEFC is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.