Head of Finance

General Manager – Finance & Debt Syndication

Company: Sikka Group

Department: Finance

Designation: General Manager – Finance & Debt Syndication

Experience: 20+ Years in Banking / Corporate Finance; preferably Retired Public Sector Bank GM

Location: Noida / Greater Noida / Delhi NCR

Reporting To: Senior Management / Management

1. Role Overview

Sikka Group is looking for an experienced and well-connected General Manager – Finance & Debt Syndication, preferably a retired General Manager from a reputed Public Sector Bank, to lead the Group's debt syndication, project finance, banking relationships and fund-raising initiatives.

The role will be responsible for arranging and structuring debt facilities for Sikka Group projects, developing strong relationships with banks and financial institutions, negotiating commercial terms, facilitating sanctions and disbursements, and ensuring timely availability of funds for ongoing and upcoming projects.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in project finance, real estate lending, credit appraisal, debt restructuring, consortium lending, institutional banking and financial structuring.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Debt Syndication & Fund Raising

• Lead the overall debt syndication and fund-raising function for Sikka Group.
• Identify suitable banks, financial institutions, NBFCs and other lending institutions for project funding.
• Structure debt facilities based on project requirements, cash flows and funding needs.
• Arrange term loans, project finance, construction finance, working capital and other structured debt facilities.
• Manage the complete debt-raising cycle from initial discussions through sanction, documentation and disbursement.
• Ensure timely availability of funds in line with project requirements.
• Explore refinancing and restructuring opportunities wherever commercially beneficial.

B. Banking & Financial Institution Relationships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior management of banks and financial institutions.
• Act as the primary senior-level interface between Sikka Group and lending institutions.
• Conduct regular discussions with banks regarding existing and proposed facilities.
• Identify new banking relationships and financing opportunities.
• Leverage industry and banking relationships to facilitate timely credit decisions and approvals.
• Represent the Group in meetings with bankers, credit committees and financial institutions.

C. Project Finance

• Evaluate funding requirements for ongoing and upcoming real estate projects.
• Prepare and coordinate project finance proposals, including project cost, cash flows, repayment structure and security package.
• Coordinate with internal Finance, Projects, Legal, Sales and Management teams for preparation of financing proposals.
• Ensure that project financial information submitted to lenders is accurate and comprehensive.
• Monitor project-wise debt utilization and fund deployment.
• Ensure compliance with lender conditions and project-finance covenants.

D. Financial Structuring

• Develop appropriate financing structures for different Sikka Group projects.
• Evaluate debt-equity requirements and optimize the overall capital structure.
• Explore structured finance and customized financing solutions.
• Evaluate refinancing opportunities to reduce financing costs and improve cash flows.
• Advise Senior Management on financing options, borrowing costs and associated risks.
• Assist management in evaluating strategic financial transactions.

E. Credit Appraisal & Proposal Management

• Review and understand credit appraisal requirements of various financial institutions.
• Coordinate preparation of Detailed Project Reports, financial models, projections and information memorandums.
• Ensure timely submission of all financial and project-related information requested by lenders.
• Anticipate potential credit concerns and proactively address them.
• Coordinate responses to lender queries and observations.
• Facilitate internal and external due diligence processes.

F. Sanction, Documentation & Disbursement

• Coordinate with banks and financial institutions for timely sanction of facilities.
• Negotiate key commercial and financial terms, including:
• Interest rates
• Processing fees
• Repayment schedules
• Moratorium
• Security requirements
• Covenants
• DSCR and other financial conditions
• Coordinate with Legal and Finance teams for execution of loan and security documentation.
• Ensure fulfillment of pre-disbursement conditions.
• Track and facilitate timely disbursements.

G. Existing Debt Management

• Monitor all existing borrowing facilities of the Group.
• Track repayment schedules, interest obligations and outstanding debt.
• Monitor compliance with financial covenants and lender conditions.
• Identify opportunities for restructuring, refinancing or consolidation of existing facilities.
• Ensure timely renewal of credit limits and banking facilities.
• Maintain a centralized project-wise debt database and MIS.

H. Financial Planning & Cash Flow Management

• Work closely with the CFO / Finance team on Group-level funding requirements.
• Develop project-wise and Group-level funding plans.
• Monitor projected cash flows and funding gaps.
• Ensure alignment between project expenditure, collections and debt drawdowns.
• Assist management in prioritizing funding requirements across projects.
• Provide regular updates on liquidity and financing availability.

I. Government & Institutional Coordination

• Coordinate with relevant financial institutions, government bodies and statutory authorities wherever required for financing-related matters.
• Facilitate institutional discussions relating to project funding and financial approvals.
• Maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders across the financial ecosystem.

J. Team Management & MIS

• Lead the debt syndication and corporate finance team.
• Establish systems for tracking all financing proposals and banking relationships.
• Prepare regular MIS for Senior Management covering:
• Project-wise debt
• Sanctions
• Disbursements
• Outstanding loans
• Interest obligations
• Funding pipeline
• Refinancing opportunities
• Upcoming funding requirements
• Ensure timely escalation of financing risks and potential funding gaps.