The Investment Associate provides support to the sector head who works through our appointed board members to oversee strategy, budgeting, risk, talent, compensation, and M&A initiatives in our portfolio companies. The position is also responsible for helping : manage the value of our investments in the sector; initiating and managing transformation initiatives at our portfolio companies; evaluating new investment opportunities.

Responsibilities and duties

Drive / optimize value creation in portfolio companies

• Support portfolio company value creation opportunities through consistently refreshed shareholder opinions / Value Creation Plans
• Provide support to the Investment manager who acts as the key interface in relationship with portfolio companies (Board / Exec team) to drive value creation plans to execution
• Support the identification and analysis of portfolio company synergies and their implementation

Monitor asset performance and mitigate potential issues

• Perform analysis and reporting that supports regular performance review of portfolio companies
• Review and report upon companies are on track vs. plan on key topics
• Flag any potential issues to the investment manager
• Provide data and requests for reports and analysis that underpin decisions on implications of hold / sell for asset

Sector strategies & detailed sector screens

• Gather data and research that supports the development of sector strategies / EIA point of view on sector and on latest relevant trends / investable themes
• Gather data and research that supports the development of detailed sector screens to identify most attractive opportunities for investment
• Deal origination for new strategic investments (in coordination with M&A)
• Begin to forge connections that engage with sector ecosystem and allow further building strong network with relevant stakeholders
• Conduct reports and analysis as requested to enable deal teams to execute on deal transactions in collaboration with M&A team; heavily contribute on all sector specific / commercial topics (e.g., commercial diligence)
• Reporting - Perform inter-company comparison with other sector/industry competitor in terms of costs, sales, profit, ratios, etc

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Finance or Business
• Relevant professional certificates are an added advantage (CFA, CPA)
• Must hold valid UAE family book
• Must have 4-8 yrs experience in Consulting / Investments or related field
• Strong financial modelling experience
• Strong communication and presentation skills