Company Background
The Awethu Project (“Awethu”) is the most innovative SMME investment company in South Africa. We flexibly combine ideas, people and capital to build the fast-growing SMMEs South Africa needs. We are actively building a team of leaders who are passionate about our business model and mission. This is a unique opportunity for a talented and driven professional to become part of our team, and join a social enterprise that is using entrepreneurship to build the society we all want to live in – a socially and economically just South Africa, where OPPORTUNITY MEETS AMBITION and everyone has the chance to realise their full potential.
Role Overview
An innovative SMME investment company seeks a highly competent Investment Manager for its SMME Private Equity Supplier Development Funds. Reporting directly to the Chief Investment Officer, this role represents an exciting opportunity for a talented investment professional with experience in private equity, investment banking and/or development finance who is passionate about transforming South Africa through empowering entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are looking for a driven individual with a history of outstanding achievement both in and outside of work, who is hungry to manage Awethu’s SMME Private Equity and Supplier Development Fund investment processes. Specific roles and responsibilities will include –
sourcing and identifying investment opportunities, utilising formal and informal networks as well as existing Awethu systems and partner networks;
conducting sector analysis on predetermined sectors; understanding value drivers within sectors; compiling research papers on sectors and identifying potential investments within;
Coordinating deal evaluation and execution, including –
- Understanding key drivers (micro and macro) of potential investments;
- Scoping and managing the due diligence process on potential investments, including external service providers;
- Completing detailed financial models – including LBO models – to illustrate base case and target case returns;
- Articulating plausible scenarios, risks and findings in detailed investment memoranda;
- Participating in debate to positively influence the Awethu Investment Team;
- Reviewing and processing relevant legal documentation related to transactions.
- Preparing investment proposals and leading the Awethu Investment Team that motivates it to internal and external investment committees;
- Compiling and reviewing quarterly investment reports on portfolio companies, alongside the Awethu Portfolio Management Team, reflecting an in-depth understanding of the company(ies) and external market drivers;
- Coordinating the exit process and contributing opinion regarding timing / structure / exit type, pricing etc;
- Developing systems and tools to simplify and scale the above deal-making process.
- Managing junior members of the Awethu Investment Team, as needed;
- Supporting the development of Awethu’s investment strategy; and
- Supporting the Chief Investment Officer in raising capital from new / existing investors, structuring / forming new funds, and generally growing Awethu’s assets under management.
Requirements
Ideal candidates should have –
- A relevant advanced qualification (e.g., BCom / Business Science / CA / Actuarial Science / BEng / CFA) with a strong academic record;
- At least 3-5+ years of principal private equity investment experience at a top Fund Manager (e.g., Ethos Private Equity), Investment bank (e.g., Goldman Sachs), and/or other comparable financial institution / team;
- An ability to think strategically and critically, with strong analytical skills and comfort with ambiguous data sets and complex problems;
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
- Intellectual flexibility, and a proven ability to evaluate and execute on opportunities in multiple sectors, at various stages of development, simultaneously;
- Expertise with the B-BBEE Codes;
- Shared values with Awethu’s partners and a clear and genuine passion for Awethu’s mission.
Compensation
The role will attract a market-driven salary, based on experience and track record, including provision for performance-based bonuses, and long-term equity-like consideration, if warranted.