Energy · Head of Transition Finance
Head of Transition Finance executive search.
Retained Head of Transition Finance and Head of Sustainable Investment search for banks, insurers and asset managers.
What the role is
A short definition.
A Head of Transition Finance leads a financial institution’s response to the climate transition — origination and structuring of transition-labelled financing, portfolio-level climate risk assessment, sector-transition planning (particularly for hard-to-abate sectors), and coordination with the CSO and CRO. The role has emerged in the last three years as a distinct seat, particularly in commercial and investment banks with material corporate exposure to transition-sensitive sectors.
Core responsibilities
What we assess candidates against.
- Origination and structuring of transition finance products — sustainability-linked loans, transition bonds, blended finance
- Portfolio-level climate risk assessment and Scope 3 financed emissions
- Sector-transition planning, particularly for oil & gas, cement, steel, aviation and shipping exposure
- Coordination with CSO, CRO and business unit leaders
- Regulator engagement — PRA climate-related supervisory statements
- Investor and client-facing transition narrative
When to run this search
Typical triggers.
On the entry of a bank or asset manager into transition finance as a distinct product line; on a strategic reset around net-zero portfolio commitments; on the departure of an incumbent Head of Sustainable Finance / Transition Finance.
How we search
The specific approach we take.
Retained. The candidate pool is narrow — combining energy sector fluency with regulated financial services expertise is a rare profile. Pools include sitting Heads of Sustainable Finance at comparable institutions, senior climate risk leaders ready for the commercial step-up, and senior corporate bankers with strong sector expertise in transition-sensitive sectors.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Head of Sustainable Finance and Head of Transition Finance?
Historically the same role; recently distinguished. Sustainable Finance leans product-broad (green bonds, social bonds, sustainability-linked); Transition Finance leans specifically on the climate-transition financing of hard-to-abate sectors.
Do you handle these roles at both banks and asset managers?
Yes. Bank roles typically emphasise origination and structuring; asset manager roles typically emphasise investment strategy and LP-facing narrative. Different candidate pools.
Can you support Head of Sustainable Investment specifically for LP-facing asset managers?
Yes. Asset manager LP-facing Head of Sustainable Investment is a distinct role handled at the intersection of this practice, our Finance practice and (increasingly) our Marketing & Communications practice for the LP-communication component.
How long does the search take?
Fourteen to eighteen weeks brief to accepted offer is typical. The narrow candidate pool means market mapping takes longer than average.
How is compensation structured?
Base, cash bonus tied to product-line and portfolio metrics, and LTIP or deferred bonus (in regulated financial services). Compensation for genuinely-capable transition finance leaders has risen 20-35% in the last two years.
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