Investment Manager – Strategic Assets

Firm:
Sovereign Investment Platform

Location:
Dubai, UAE

The Investment Manager is responsible for managing the full investment lifecycle across a diversified portfolio. This includes developing investment strategies, leading asset allocation work, sourcing and evaluating opportunities, executing transactions, coordinating due diligence, overseeing external partners, managing portfolio performance, and ensuring robust risk and governance standards. The role requires strong financial acumen, analytical capability, and the ability to independently manage complex investment processes across markets while ensuring alignment with institutional objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and periodic update of investment strategy, policies, and asset allocation frameworks.
• Prepare annual investment plans, performance targets, forecasts, and strategic assessments to support high-level decision-making.
• Source high-quality investment opportunities through active engagement with fund managers, advisors, and market participants.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external managers and industry stakeholders to ensure consistent access to quality deal flow.
• Lead the initial screening and evaluation of investment opportunities, including strategic fit, financial fundamentals, operational performance, and risk considerations.
• Conduct sector research, market assessments, benchmarking analyses, and competitive reviews to support robust evaluation.
• Lead the development and review of financial models, valuation analyses, scenario assessments, and sensitivities.
• Analyse financial statements, industry data, macroeconomic indicators, and market intelligence to support decision-making.
• Manage and coordinate full due diligence across commercial, financial, legal, tax, operational, and technical streams; oversee advisors and synthesise findings into actionable insights.
• Lead negotiation of commercial terms, investment structures, legal documentation, and governance arrangements.
• Manage transaction workflows, approvals, and execution processes to ensure timely and aligned completion.
• Oversee the ongoing performance of the investment portfolio, ensuring alignment with asset allocation targets, performance objectives, and risk frameworks.
• Monitor financial and operational performance of investments, including periodic engagement with external managers and portfolio companies.
• Support value-creation initiatives, operational improvements, and portfolio optimisation efforts.
• Contribute to valuation processes and preparation of valuation packs and periodic performance updates.
• Identify, assess, and monitor investment and portfolio-level risks in accordance with approved risk frameworks.
• Prepare high-quality investment materials, including investment committee papers, dashboards, market updates, and formal reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Maintain governance and documentation standards, ensuring full compliance with policies and audit requirements.
• Act as a key liaison with external partners, advisors, regulators, financial institutions, and internal functions such as Strategy, Finance, Legal, and Compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of internal investment processes and institutional policies.
• Mentor junior team members, supporting capability building within the investment function.
• Perform additional assignments as required to support departmental and organisational objectives.

Key Criteria / Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Investment Management, or a related field.
• Master's degree (MBA, Finance, Economics) preferred; CFA or similar professional certification is highly desirable.
• Minimum experience requirements:
• Bachelor's degree: 8+ years of relevant experience
• Master's degree: 5+ years of relevant experience
• Proven background in investment consulting, financial analysis, portfolio management, and due diligence.
• Strong understanding of UAE and global economic environments, financial markets, and regulatory frameworks.

Technical Competencies

• Investment strategy
• Deal sourcing and screening
• Market and sector assessment
• Manager screening
• Valuation and financial modelling
• Transaction due diligence
• Portfolio construction
• Capital allocation
• Structuring, negotiation, and documentation
• Performance monitoring
• Risk management
• Relationship management

Behavioural & Analytical Competencies

• Strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to implementation
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Ability to understand new sectors and companies quickly
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Critical judgement and problem-solving capability
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Commercial acumen and intellectual curiosity
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Creativity, independence, and results orientation
• High integrity, resilience, initiative, and teamwork orientation