Head of Investment - Johannesburg at Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

Objectives of Role

• Implement a comprehensive investment strategyencompassing pre-seed, venture capital, growth equity, and buy-out opportunities, aligned with E Squared Investments' overall mission and objectives.
• Lead the deal sourcing and originationprocesses, actively identifying and evaluating high-potential investment opportunities across the entire investment spectrum (pre-seed to Series C+, MBOs/MBIs, mezzanine finance, and M&A).
• Oversee a rigorous investment due diligenceprocess, ensuring comprehensive financial, legal, and market analysis of potential investee companies, with a specific focus on uncovering potential risks and opportunities in complex transactions.
• Lead the preparation of investment proposalsand spearhead presentations to the Investment Committee, clearly articulating the investment thesis and potential value creation for each deal, including those with complex structures.
• Champion successful deal negotiation and structuringof investment terms, demonstrating expertise in structuring complex transactions like MBOs/MBIs, mezzanine finance, and M&A.
• Manage a team of Investment Managers, Associates, Analysts, and Interns, fostering a high-performing and collaborativework environment.
• Provide coaching and mentorshipto investment team members, supporting their professional development and expertise across diverse deal types.
• Track portfolio performance and measure impactagainst established metrics, ensuring alignment with E Squared Investments' social and economic development goals.
• Maintain strong relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders within the South African investment landscape.

Leadership and Strategy

• Translate E Squared Investments' strategic vision into actionable investment plans encompassing pre-seed, venture capital, growth equity, and buyout opportunities.
• Set clear performance goals and objectives for the investment team, ensuring alignment with the overall investment strategy and expertise development across deal structures.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the investment function, emphasising best practices in deal evaluation and execution across various stages and structures.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Law, Economics, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Postgraduate degreein Finance, Business Administration, or a relevant field (MBA, CFA, CA(SA) preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of experiencein private equity, venture capital, or a related field, with a proven track record of success across various deal stages (pre-seed to Series C+) and deal structures.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate, and execute successful investmentsacross pre-seed, venture capital, growth equity, and buyout opportunities.
• Strong understanding of alternative investment instruments(including special purpose vehicles, venture debt, convertible notes, etc.) and the ability to structure complex transactions (MBOs/MBIs, mezzanine finance, and M&A).
• Expertise in financial modeling and valuationmethodologies applicable to different stages and structures of investment.
• Demonstrated leadershipcapabilities with a proven ability to motivate, inspire, and guide a team in executing complex transactions effectively.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, investors, and deal advisors.
• Passion for entrepreneurship and a strong commitment to E Squared Investments' mission.

Competencies

• Passionfor contributing to making a positive difference in South Africa. Interest and understanding of E Squareds vision, mission and values
• Team playerwith strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work successfully with entrepreneurs and build relations with stakeholders
• Results-orientedwith a strong work ethic and a drive to achieve excellence.
• Excellent decision-makingskills with the ability to think strategically.
• Emotional intelligenceand the ability to manage pressure effectively with maturity and professionalism.
• Discretionand the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Self-starter that is highly reliable, organised, and capable of handling confidential information with discretion