Head of Tourism

IDB Invest - Head of Tourism & Real Estate - Corporates Division

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IDB Invest - Head of Tourism & Real Estate - Corporates Division

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Talent Acquisition & Global Recruitment | HR Manager | HR Strategy | M&A's (HR Due Diligence) | USAID & Donor-Funded Projects | Remote & Hybrid…

Location

The position can be based in any of the following cities: Washington DC, USA or any IDB Group member country in the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) region.

We improve lives

IDB Invest is the private sector arm of the IDB Group and an international financial institution committed to addressing the development needs of Latin America and the Caribbean. Our mission is to support sustainable enterprises and projects that deliver financial results while maximizing social and environmental impact in the region.

IDB Invest operates in 26 countries, structured across four geographic regions: Southern Cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay), Andean Group (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela), Caribbean (The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago) and Central America, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, and three vertical industries: Infrastructure and Energy, Financial Institutions, and Corporates.

In support of a new transformative business model "Originate to Share" our shareholders recently approved a $3.5 billion capitalization. This will allow IDB Invest to significantly scale up its investments, nearly doubling annual financing from approximately $8 billion to $19 billion, and unlocking greater private sector participation to drive development and climate impact across the region.

About This Position

We are looking for a Head of Tourism & Real Estate to join the Corporates Division (SMC) within the Industries and Cross-Cutting Themes Department (ICT) at IDB Invest. You will report to the Managing Director of the Corporates Division (SMC).

ICT is responsible for engaging with clients and partners for the origination, structuring, closing, and supervision of transactions and projects with strong development impact.

SMC, together with the corresponding Regional Division in the Regions Department, leads the origination and delivery of operations in Tourism, Manufacturing, Mining, Digital Economy, Agribusiness & Forestry. Our work spans all 26 countries where IDB Invest operates in Latin America and the Caribbean.

You will lead the institution's investment strategy across hospitality, leisure, and real estate sectors across Latin America and the Caribbean region. This role is pivotal in shaping the institution's approach to sustainable urban development, inclusive tourism, and resilient infrastructure, while delivering strong financial returns and measurable development impact. This position will be responsible for developing new business opportunities and leading key client engagements as well as originating highly developmental transactions in the sector.

What you'll do

• Spearhead the design and execution of IDB Invest's tourism and real estate strategy and investment program, working in close collaboration with investment teams to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with leading global and regional clients to generate new investment opportunities. Actively identify and pursue strategic partnerships with different stakeholders that expand IDB Invest's impact and presence in the mining sector.
• Collaborate closely with regional investment teams to provide expert sector insights during due diligence processes. This includes evaluating project strengths and weaknesses, defining key performance indicators, analyzing unit economics for integration into financial models, and conducting competitive sector analysis.
• Lead sectoral engagement with IDB public sector teams and the Regions Department to support governments and authorities in identifying and addressing regulatory and enabling infrastructure gaps. This includes contributing to the development of financially viable and bankable projects and supporting upstream work to help countries build a pipeline of projects in the tourism and real estate sector and their value chains.
• Lead industry and market research in the tourism and real estate sector to support business origination and execution, ensuring alignment with IDB Invest's investment strategy.
• Lead sectoral upstream work and the development of customized sector-specific products, in coordination with the Regions Department and the Products Department, to enhance IDB Invest's value proposition.
• Review eligibility and investment proposals, offering well-informed recommendations to the respective regional Director of Corporates and/or Managing Director. Actively contribute to investment decision meetings by addressing inquiries and providing sector-specific insights to guide the decision-making process.
• Develop and disseminate sector knowledge products and training programs for internal teams and external stakeholders. Ensure consistency and alignment across regions in addressing common industry challenges and risk factors.
• Lead internal coordination with development partners to address sector-specific challenges, including environmental, social, credit, and reputational risks, as well as development impact. Collaborate with other IDB Invest teams to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to agribusiness and forestry.
• Provide support for the development of IDBG Country Strategies and IDB Invest's multi-year Business Plans, particularly in relation to tourism and real estate.
• Assist in the selection, briefing and supervision of technical consultants engaged on due diligence, as needed
• Represent IDB Invest at conferences, seminars, and other relevant events to increase institutional visibility and strengthen sector knowledge, while networking with industry leaders and key stakeholders to stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in the sector.

What you'll need

• Education: An advanced degree (Masters, MBA, or equivalent) in economics, finance, business administration, engineering, or another relevant field. Academic specialization in sustainable tourism is desirable.
• Experience: You have at least 10 + years of relevant professional experience in the tourism and real estate sector with proven well-established relationships at C-level management of key industry players and other stakeholders. Confirmed experience in a similar role in an investment, advisory firm, or development

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