Investment Associate – M&A and Portfolio Management
Job Title: Investment Associate – M&A and Portfolio Management Department: Private Investments Reports to: Director – Portfolio Management Job Purpose: Reporting to the Portfolio Management Director, the Associate – M&A and Portfolio Management will support the Portfolio Management team in managing and optimizing portfolio performance, executing growth initiatives including developing greenfield projects, joint ventures and M&A transactions, and driving value creation initiatives. The role also includes performing commercial and financial review of the portfolio companies and monitoring their performance. Core Tasks, Responsibilities and Authority: Portfolio Management: - Monitor and assess the performance of assigned Portfolio Companies, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, approved business plans and optimizing shareholders returns. - Conduct detailed performance analyses, provide actionable insights, key risks and recommend strategies to improve portfolio outcomes - Support portfolio companies in their growth initiatives (e.g., M&A or greenfield projects) - Build deep understanding of portfolio companies and their business activities - Review board materials and provide analysis, comments and suggestions before board meetings - Evaluate and propose value creation strategies for portfolio companies in collaboration with operational teams. Transaction Execution: - Support the execution process of M&A transactions, including due diligence structuring, financial modelling, valuation and deal closure processes. - Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless transaction management from initiation to execution to closure. - Support post-merger integration exercises of acquired companies Reporting and Documentation: - Prepare comprehensive investment committee decks, presentations, portfolio oversight report with key business risks, and updates for internal stakeholders and the executive team. - Maintain accurate and detailed records of transactions, action trackers, portfolio performance, and strategic initiatives. Stakeholder Engagement: - Coordinate with external advisors, including investment banks, legal advisors, and consultants. - Build and maintain strong relationships with portfolio company management teams to drive alignment on objectives. Risk Management: - Identify potential risks within transactions and portfolios, recommending mitigation strategies to safeguard investments. Compliance and Governance: - Ensure adherence to all relevant regulatory and governance requirements during transaction execution and portfolio management. - Support internal audit exercises Professional Profile: Core Competencies: - Experience in supporting M&A transactions and structuring Partnerships including JVs, with demonstrated ability to contribute to deal structuring and value creation. - Advanced analytical and financial modelling skills, including valuation methodologies and financial statement analysis. - Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex information for diverse audiences. - Effective project management skills, capable of supporting multiple transactions and priorities simultaneously. - High attention to detail, with a proactive approach to identifying and identifying issues and escalating material matters appropriately. - Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, fostering collaboration across teams. - Ability to take ownership of defined workstreams and operate independently with appropriate senior guidance. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, proficiency in Arabic is advantageous Experience: - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field; - Progress toward, or completion of, a relevant professional qualification such as the CFA, CAIA, ACCA or ACA, or a relevant postgraduate degree, is advantageous. - 4–6 years of experience in investment banking, Big