Director of Investments

Client of Hanson Search Ltd; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Carried interest

Tax-free compensation

Job summary

Hanson Search is partnered with an international private equity firm to appoint a Director of Investments Private Markets in Abu Dhabi. This senior, deal-facing role covers origination through exit, with close collaboration across global teams.

Reporting to a Partner, you will lead deal workstreams, build the pipeline in the GCC region, and drive value creation while mentoring junior colleagues. A strong track record in direct PE and cross-border transactions is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant private equity experience with direct investing.
• Track record leading deals from origination to closing.
• Advanced financial modelling and valuation skills (LBOs, scenario analysis).
• Experience in GCC/MENA region and working with family offices or sovereign funds.

Responsibilities

• Origination – build proprietary deal pipeline across GCC and wider region, nurturing relationships with founders, family groups and intermediaries.
• Transaction execution – lead day-to-day execution, coordinate external advisers, negotiate key terms with senior team.
• Due diligence – oversee DD, assess fundamentals, market dynamics and risks, synthesize investment thesis.
• Portfolio management – work with portfolio companies and boards on value creation plans and reviews.
• Exits – contribute to exit planning and execution, including potential sale or listing.
• Team leadership – supervise junior team members and maintain high-quality output.

Skills

Private equity

M&A

Leadership

Financial modelling

Valuation

Communication

GCC/MENA experience

English

Education

CFA or accounting qualification

MBA in Finance

Tools

DealCloud

PitchBook

Job description

Hanson Search is partnering with an international private equity firm to appoint a Director of Investments Private Markets to its Abu Dhabi office. This is a senior deal-facing role within a growing regional investment team, offering direct exposure to the full investment cycle from origination through to exit. It also involves close collaboration with the firm’s global partnership. The firm invests in buyout and growth equity opportunities across the GCC and the wider region, backing market-leading businesses. It works closely with management teams to drive long-term value creation. Reporting to a Partner, the Director of Investments will take ownership of transactions end to end and lead deal workstreams. The role will also contribute to portfolio value creation and help build the next generation of investment talent within the team.

Director of Investments Responsibilities

• Origination – Build a proprietary deal pipeline across the GCC and broader region, developing strong relationships with founders, family groups, corporates, intermediaries, sovereign investors and co-investment partners.
• Transaction Execution – Lead the day-to-day execution of new investments, managing deal timelines and coordinating external advisers (legal, financial, commercial, tax and ESG), negotiate key commercial terms alongside senior team members.
• Due Diligence – Own the due diligence process, assessing company fundamentals, market dynamics, competitive positioning, management capability, growth levers and key investment risks; synthesize findings into a clear investment thesis.
• Financial Modelling and Valuation – Build and review detailed operating and returns models, including LBO and scenario analysis; own valuation work and support the structuring of debt and equity financing.
• Investment Committee – Prepare and present investment committee memoranda and materials, articulating the investment case, risks, mitigants and value creation plan with conviction.
• Portfolio Management and Value Creation – Work closely with portfolio company management teams and boards to deliver value creation plans and monitor performance; support add-on acquisitions and strategic initiatives while preparing portfolio reviews.
• Exits – Contribute to exit planning and execution, including preparing businesses for sale or listing and working with advisers on the exit process.
• Investor Relations and Fundraising – Support fundraising and limited partner reporting, including preparing materials and engaging with institutional investors in the region such as sovereign wealth funds and family offices.
• Team Leadership – Supervise and coach associates and analysts, reviewing work product and ensuring consistently high-quality deliverables across the team.
• Technology and Data – Champion the use of AI and automation, including data platforms such as DealCloud and PitchBook, to enhance research, pipeline management, analysis and portfolio monitoring.

Private Equity Experience and Skills

Significant experience, including a substantial track record in direct private equity investing. This ideally follows a grounding in M amp A, leveraged finance, transaction services or top-tier strategy consulting. A demonstrable track record of completed transactions, with experience leading significant workstreams from origination through to closing. Advanced financial modelling and deal structuring skills, including valuation, with a strong commercial and analytical mindset. Experience investing in or covering the GCC and wider MENA region is strongly preferred. This includes an understanding of family-owned businesses and the local regulatory environment, with an appreciation of regional business culture. Exposure to portfolio management or value creation initiatives, including board-level engagement. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the gravitas to engage confidently with founders, management teams, advisers and investors. Arabic language skills are advantageous but not essential. A CFA or professional accounting qualification is advantageous. Experience managing junior team members, combined with a collaborative, entrepreneurial approach. You will thrive in an international, multi-office environment. Willingness to be based full-time in Abu Dhabi and to travel across the region as required.

This Director of Investments role in Abu Dhabi offers a highly competitive tax-free compensation package with the opportunity to participate in carried interest. There is also clear progression within a growing regional platform backed by a global investment firm.