Director, Investments and M&A

Khazna Data Centers; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Khazna Data Centers is seeking a Director Investments & M&A to shape and execute the Group's investment and M&A agenda across the network. The role combines ownership of the investment underwriting strategy, leading complex transactions and governance over appraisal across Khazna and its subsidiaries.

The Director will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, drive Board-level investment narratives, and ensure capital deployment aligns with strategy, risk appetite, and return thresholds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in infrastructure investing, corporate development, project finance, investment banking, private equity, or M&A.
• Demonstrated track record of leading end-to-end transactions (including JVs and complex multi‑party structures).
• Deep expertise in financial modelling, valuation, and capital structure optimization.
• Proven ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders (Executive Committee and Board).
• Experience in building and leading teams, mentoring juniors, and setting high investment-analysis standards.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Group’s investment strategy, translating priorities into capital deployment plans.
• Lead investment underwriting for major data centre and infrastructure projects with robust assumptions and risk assessment.
• Oversee end-to-end M&A and JV opportunities, including sourcing, valuation, due diligence, structuring and negotiations.
• Establish and enhance investment governance, valuation standards, hurdle rates, and approval processes.
• Build strong relationships with investment banks, advisors, investors, and strategic partners.
• Lead and develop a high-performing investment team with a culture of rigor and value creation.
• Monitor market trends in data centres, digital infra, financing and regulation.
• Identify risks and opportunities and provide clear recommendations to maximize returns.

Skills

Investment strategy

Portfolio management

M&A & JV

Investment governance

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Market intelligence

Financial modelling

Valuation

Capital structure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field

MBA or CFA preferred

Job description

Khazna Data Center is a leading data center provider with a robust portfolio of assets and a growing network of subsidiaries across multiple markets. As an asset-intensive company, Khazna places significant emphasis on disciplined capital allocation, robust underwriting, and thoughtful structuring of investments and partnerships to optimize capital deployment and create long‑term value for shareholders and stakeholders.

The Director Investments & M&A is a senior leadership role accountable for shaping and executing Khazna’s investment and M&A agenda across the Group. The role combines:

Ownership of the Group’s investments underwrite strategy and M&A agenda;

Leadership of complex transactions (including JVs, acquisitions, divestments, and strategic partnerships); and Governance over investments appraisal across Khazna and its subsidiaries.

The Director will act as a key thought partner to senior leadership, drive Board‑level investment narratives, and ensure that Khazna’s capital deployment is aligned with corporate strategy, risk appetite, and return thresholds. The role requires deep expertise in corporate and project finance, valuation, and transaction structuring in an asset‑heavy, multi‑jurisdiction environment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Investment Strategy & Portfolio Management: Develop and execute the Group’s investment strategy, translating corporate priorities into capital deployment plans and providing portfolio insights to ExCom and the Board.
• Greenfield Investment: Lead investment underwriting and appraisal for major data centre and infrastructure projects, ensuring robust assumptions, financial returns, risk assessment, and post‑investment reviews.
• M&A & Joint Ventures: Lead the end‑to‑end evaluation and execution of M&A and JV opportunities, including sourcing, valuation, financial modelling, due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiations, and deal execution.
• Investment Governance: Establish and enhance investment frameworks, approval processes, valuation standards, hurdle rates, and governance tools across Khazna and its subsidiaries.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as a trusted investment advisor to senior leadership and build strong relationships with investment banks, advisors, investors, strategic partners, and other stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing investment team, fostering a culture of analytical rigor, transparency, and value creation.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor data centre, digital infrastructure, financing, regulatory, and valuation trends and translate market insights into strategic investment opportunities.
• Value Creation & Risk Management: Identify key investment risks and opportunities, provide clear recommendations, and ensure transactions optimise risk, control, returns, and long‑term strategic value.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or a related field; MBA, CFA, or equivalent post‑graduate qualification strongly preferred.
• Typically 12+ years of relevant experience in infrastructure investing, corporate development, project finance, investment banking, private equity, orM&A, with a focus on asset‑heavy sectors.
• Demonstrated track record of leading end‑to‑end transactions (including JVs and complex multi‑party structures) and evaluating large‑scale Infrastructure projects.
• Deep expertise in financial modelling, valuation, and capital structure optimisation, including experience with project finance and/or structured financing solutions.
• Proven ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders, including Executive Committee and Board members, with clear, concise, and insightful communication.
• Experience in building and leading teams, coaching junior professionals, and establishing high standards for investment analysis and documentation.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial concepts to non‑financial stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in data centres/digital infra, telecom, utilities, real estate or infra funds.
• Local experience in the GCC within blue‑chip names, ideally with direct exposure to UAE and neighbouring markets.
• Familiarity with large‑scale project financing and partnerships with financial investors and/or public sector