Dealmaker - Commercial Funding, Structured Lending and Impact Investing

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Our client is an established financial organisation focused on commercial funding, structured lending and impact investing. They are seeking a highly experienced and commercially driven Dealmaker / Originator to support the company’s continued growth.

This role is suited to a proven financial professional with strong origination capability and transaction execution experience in the SME and mid-corporate market.

The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in sourcing, structuring and executing complex lending and capital raising transactions, while mentoring junior team members and contributing to strategic growth initiatives.

The position offers full exposure to deal origination, credit structuring, investor engagement, financial modelling, risk management and transaction execution across multiple sectors.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Relevant Finance Degree / CIMA / CA(SA) / CFA or equivalent
• 5+ years’ experience in Banking, Corporate Finance, Structured Lending, Private Credit or Investment Banking
• Proven experience in originating and executing complex lending or capital raising transactions
• Strong exposure to SME and Mid-Corporate funding structures
• Regulatory Exam 1 or 5 under FSCA (advantageous)
• Experience in Property Finance / Asset Finance / Leveraged Finance / Private Debt (beneficial)

Core Competencies:

• Advanced financial modeling (integrated 3-statement modelling, scenario and sensitivity analysis)
• Strong understanding of:
• Credit structuring
• Tax implications
• Legal agreements
• Financial reporting standards
• Risk pricing and covenant design
• Ability to structure:
• Senior debt
• Mezzanine finance
• Preference share funding
• Structured working capital facilities
• Acquisition and leveraged finance transactions
• Strong deal negotiation capability
• Exceptional investment writing and presentation skills
• High commercial acumen and market awareness

Key Responsibilities:

Deal Origination and Business Development

• Proactively originate capital raising and lending mandates through own network and company relationships
• Develop strategic relationships with entrepreneurs, property sponsors, corporates, funders and intermediaries
• Identify new revenue opportunities and assist in expanding the firm’s market presence
• Lead client engagement processes from initial opportunity assessment through to mandate execution

Transaction Structuring and Execution

• Lead structuring and execution of complex lending and investment transactions
• Assess funding capacity through financial analysis including DSCR, ICR, LTV, leverage and liquidity metrics
• Design optimal funding structures balancing risk, pricing and return outcomes
• Manage transaction workstreams including:
• Due diligence coordination
• Financial modelling
• Legal negotiation
• Investor engagement
• Credit committee preparation
• Drive transactions to financial close within agreed timelines

Investment and Credit Analysis

• Conduct deep financial, operational and commercial assessments of potential clients
• Perform industry benchmarking and competitor analysis
• Prepare high-quality investment memoranda and deal packs for internal and external stakeholders
• Monitor covenant compliance and portfolio performance post-funding

Investor and Stakeholder Management

• Present transactions to banks, private credit funds, DFIs and institutional investors
• Manage lender relationships and negotiate commercial terms
• Coordinate external advisors including legal, valuation, tax and audit professionals
• Oversee partner performance in syndicated or co-originated transactions

Leadership and Team Contribution

• Mentor and support junior analysts and deal team members
• Assist in refining internal processes, templates and credit frameworks
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and business growth planning
• Operate effectively in a high-performance, entrepreneurial team environment

Personal Attributes

• Highly commercial and entrepreneurial mindset
• Strong negotiation and influencing ability
• Independent self-starter with strong execution discipline
• Pragmatic and solution-oriented
• Strong project management capability
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to operate under pressure and manage multiple transactions

Advantageous Experience

• Experience in leveraged buyouts / acquisition finance
• Exposure to private equity or private credit markets
• Experience in impact investing or developmental finance
• Established network within banking, property finance, SME lending or investment community