Executive Director, Energy and Infrastructure Corporates - Underwriting & Portfolio Management - New York

Executive Director, Energy and Infrastructure Corporates - Underwriting & Portfolio Management - New York

Country: United States of America

It Starts Here:

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.  This is more than a strategic shift.  It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You!

The Difference You Make:

The Executive Director is a senior front-office credit professional responsible for the end-to-end underwriting, structuring, execution, and portfolio management of sponsor-driven infrastructure and energy corporate transactions. The portfolio primarily includes Infrastructure Finance corporate loans and NAV credit facilities supporting energy and infrastructure asset portfolios, with a focus on renewable and energy transition-related sectors.

This role serves as the analytical and credit fiduciary to the deal team, owning the financial analysis, credit narrative, transaction structuring, and risk positioning from origination through post-close management. The successful candidate will be hands-on, with the technical depth to manage complex financial models, translate business drivers into credit outcomes, and shape executable deal structures into concise, high-impact submissions for senior approvers and the 2nd Line of Defense.

The Executive Director partners closely with Infrastructure Sponsors Coverage, Energy Corporate Coverage, and 1LoD product teams, while maintaining a trusted and credible relationship with Risk. The role carries direct accountability for deal execution, portfolio performance, and the development of junior team members.

Underwriting, Structuring & Credit Ownership

• Lead underwriting, structuring, and approval of new transactions, amendments, extensions, upsizes, refinancings, and annual reviews.
• Develop clear, judgment-driven credit recommendations articulating key risks, mitigants, and structural protections.
• Serve as the primary credit owner, accountable for analytical integrity and completeness throughout the deal lifecycle.
• Partner with Coverage to shape transactions and credit narratives that are commercially effective and risk-appropriate.

Financial Analysis & Modeling

• Own and validate transaction financial models, including base, downside, sensitivities, and structural mechanics.
• Translate operating and commercial drivers into financial and credit outcomes that support decision-making.
• Personally review, challenge, and modify models as needed; step in directly where required to ensure quality and delivery.
• Coach and develop junior team members in modeling and analytical approach.

Risk Management, Execution & Leadership

• Manage credit risk post-close through performance monitoring and proactive issue identification.
• Communicate portfolio trends and emerging risks clearly to senior management.
• Act as a trusted counterpart to the 2nd Line of Defense, presenting balanced and transparent credit views.
• Own execution timelines and deliverables; ensure work is completed to standard and on time.
• Lead by example as a senior team member, driving accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

What You Bring:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field (required)
• MBA and/or CFA Charter (preferred)

Experience

• 9–12 years of experience in credit underwriting, structuring, financial analysis, and portfolio management.
• Experience with sponsor-driven transactions and complex corporate credit structures.
• Exposure to infrastructure and/or energy-related credits strongly preferred.
• Prior experience as a primary credit owner for approvals.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong understanding of corporate credit fundamentals, regulatory considerations, and risk frameworks.
• Hands-on financial modeling capability with ability to independently manage