Investment Associate – Private Debt Cape Town (Observatory) OR Johannesburg (Melrose Arch)

THE TOP PRIORITIES OF THE ROLE ARE:

• Deliver accurate and insightful financial modelling and analysis to support sound and informed investment decisions.
• Execute private debt transactions successfully, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and strategic objectives.
• Lead and coordinate comprehensive due diligence processes, identifying and mitigating potential risks early.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with both internal teams and external stakeholders to foster collaboration and trust.
• Actively monitor and manage portfolio investments, swiftly identifying and addressing emerging issues to safeguard performance.

IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES, THEN THIS ROLE IS FOR YOU:

Sharp Analytical Thinking

Impeccable Attention to Detail

Integrity and Accountability

Initiative and Sound Judgement

Strong Planning and Execution

Agility and Adaptability

Composure Under Pressure

Collaborative Spirit

THE NON-NEGOTIABLE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE ARE:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Investment Management, or a related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years of relevant experience in private debt, corporate finance, leveraged finance, investment banking, credit analysis, or a related field.
• Technical Skills and Tools: Financial Modelling – Strong Excel skills, including advanced financial modelling (DCF, covenant modelling, scenario analysis) and advanced knowledge of MS Word and PowerPoint.
• Credit Analysis: Solid understanding of credit metrics, capital structures, and risk assessment in lending environments.
• Valuation and Accounting: Familiarity with company valuation methods, financial statement analysis, and corporate accounting principles.
  

• Working knowledge of debt-related legal documentation (e.g. term sheets, loan agreements, security documents).
• Honours or postgraduate degree
• Progress toward or completion of relevant designations such as CFA, CAIA, CAI, AIMC, CA(SA), or FRM.
• Certifications related to credit risk or investment analysis.
  

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Support all phases of the investment process, from deal origination through to closing.
• Build robust financial models (including cash flow, covenant, and return analyses) and evaluate borrower creditworthiness.
• Contribute to risk assessment, deal structuring, and the preparation of term sheets.

• Assist in the coordination of third-party due diligence efforts (legal, financial, tax, commercial).
• Manage data rooms, diligence trackers, and internal workflows across multiple teams.

• Draft comprehensive investment memorandums and presentation materials for committee review.
• Clearly synthesize key risks, mitigants, and return drivers for decision-making.

• Conduct industry, sector, and borrower research to support deal origination and credit assessments.
• Monitor market trends, peer activity, and economic indicators that influence credit risk.

• Support post-investment monitoring, including borrower engagement, financial analysis, and covenant tracking.
• Maintain performance dashboards and contribute to regular risk reviews and reporting.

• Review and comment on key legal documents, including loan agreements, security packages, and intercreditor arrangements.
• Work closely with legal counsel to ensure documentation accurately reflects commercial terms.

• Liaise with legal, finance, and compliance teams throughout the investment lifecycle.
• Contribute to internal process improvements and share insights across the team.