Head of Investment

Job Description

Role Overview

The Head of Investment is responsible for leading the organization's investment strategy, overseeing the identification, evaluation, execution, management, and asset management of investment opportunities, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and portfolio performance. The role is also responsible for the strategic management of financial sector investment assets, ensuring optimal portfolio performance, prudent risk management, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. The role requires strong commercial judgment, financial expertise, transaction execution experience, and the ability to build trusted relationships with investors, partners, portfolio companies, financial institutions, and key stakeholders.

The successful candidate will lead the investment team, drive disciplined investment and M&A decision-making, oversee comprehensive due diligence processes, manage financial sector investment assets, and deliver superior risk-adjusted returns aligned with the organization's strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Strategy

• Develop and implement the organization's investment strategy and capital allocation framework.
• Identify emerging investment themes, sectors, and market opportunities.
• Develop strategies for the acquisition, management, and optimization of investment assets within the financial sector.
• Provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership and the Board.
• Monitor macroeconomic, industry, regulatory, and financial market developments affecting investment decisions and asset performance.
• Establish investment policies and asset allocation strategies to maximize long-term portfolio value.
  
  

Deal Sourcing, Due Diligence & M&A

• Lead the sourcing, screening, evaluation, and execution of investment and acquisition opportunities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities and strategic acquisitions.
• Lead end-to-end due diligence, including commercial, financial, legal, operational, tax, regulatory, and ESG assessments.
• Coordinate internal teams and external advisors throughout the due diligence process.
• Oversee financial modelling, valuation, scenario analysis, and investment return assessments.
• Identify investment risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Lead mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic partnership transactions from initiation through completion.
• Structure transactions, negotiate commercial terms, and oversee transaction documentation.
• Lead negotiations with sellers, investors, legal counsel, financial advisors, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare investment memoranda, due diligence reports, and recommendations for the Investment Committee and Board.
• Ensure all investment and M&A activities comply with internal governance policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support post-acquisition integration planning and monitor the realization of operational and financial synergies.
  
  

Asset Management & Portfolio Management

• Oversee the asset management of the organization's investment portfolio, with a particular focus on investments in the financial services sector.
• Develop and implement asset management strategies to optimize investment performance, income generation, and capital appreciation.
• Monitor portfolio performance against financial, operational, and strategic objectives.
• Conduct periodic portfolio reviews and recommend rebalancing or restructuring where necessary.
• Work closely with portfolio companies and investee financial institutions to improve operational efficiency, governance, profitability, and shareholder value.
• Monitor asset quality, capital adequacy, liquidity, and financial performance of investee financial institutions.
• Review portfolio risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure effective monitoring of investment covenants and performance indicators.
• Develop and execute exit strategies, including trade sales, mergers, recapitalizations, secondary transactions, and IPOs.
• Prepare periodic portfolio performance reports for senior management, the Investment Committee, and the Board.
  
  

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing investment and asset management team.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Establish investment, asset management, governance standards, and performance metrics.
• Allocate resources effectively across investment and portfolio management activities.
  
  

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with institutional investors, banks, regulators, financial institutions, advisors, founders, and strategic partners.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, investor meetings, and networking events.
• Support fundraising activities, investor reporting, and asset performance reporting where applicable.
• Maintain productive relationships with portfolio company boards, management teams, and external service providers.
  
  

Governance & Risk

• Ensure compliance with investment policies, asset management policies, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.
• Chair or participate in Investment Committee meetings.
• Ensure robust investment documentation and decision-making processes.
• Oversee enterprise investment risk management across all investment assets.
• Ensure adherence to prudential regulations and governance requirements applicable to investments in financial institutions.
• Maintain high ethical standards and promote responsible investing.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• MBA, CFA, CA, FRM, or other relevant professional qualification preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive investment and asset management experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience in private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, real estate, asset management, corporate finance, investment banking, financial institutions, or corporate M&A.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully originating, executing, managing, and optimizing investment portfolios and M&A transactions.
• Strong experience in managing investment assets within the financial services sector, including banks, insurance companies, non-bank financial institutions, asset management firms, or other regulated financial entities.
• Extensive experience in investment analysis, portfolio management, valuation, financial modelling, transaction execution, and investment governance.
• Strong understanding of financial markets, capital markets, regulatory frameworks, risk management, and corporate governance.