VP -Investment Banking, Origination & Deal Execution

Apolonia Capital; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Apolonia Capital, a Dubai-based investment banking and financial advisory firm, seeks a commercially driven Vice President to originate new business and lead mandates from initial engagement through completion.

This role requires a hands-on transaction capability, a proven track record in converting opportunities into signed mandates, and the ability to manage complex assignments across M&A, capital raising and strategic advisory. Fluency in English is essential, with Arabic a plus.

Qualifications

• Approximately 8–12 years of relevant experience in investment banking, corporate finance, transaction advisory, a Big Four deals practice or a reputable advisory boutique.
• Demonstrable experience personally originating and executing transactions.
• Evidence of at least three completed transactions, including the candidate’s specific role and contribution.
• Established relationships across the UAE and GCC with corporate decision-makers, financial institutions, investors or family offices.
• Strong understanding of M&A, capital raising, valuation, financial modelling, due diligence and transaction documentation.
• Ability to produce high-quality materials and lead execution personally rather than relying entirely on junior staff.
• Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation ability, written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong ownership mentality, urgency and accountability for measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Originate and develop relationships with corporates, banks, family offices, institutional investors and other qualified clients.
• Identify, qualify and convert opportunities into properly documented and paid advisory mandates.
• Lead the preparation of pitches, proposals, engagement letters, teasers, information memoranda and transaction materials.
• Manage transactions across M&A, equity and debt capital raising, strategic advisory, financial‑institution transactions and selected fund‑raising assignments.
• Develop transaction structures, valuation analyses, buyer and investor universes and execution strategies.
• Lead client meetings, negotiations, due diligence processes and transaction workstreams through signing and closing.
• Coordinate internal analysts, advisers and external professional parties while maintaining clear accountability and deadlines.
• Maintain complete and accurate CRM records, including prospects, mandates, next actions, probabilities, expected fees and closing dates.
• Provide disciplined weekly reporting on origination, execution, risks, decisions required and revenue conversion.
• Work closely with the CEO and senior management to prioritise mandates and deploy resources effectively.
• Uphold Apolonia’s principle of “no origination without mandate” and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Transaction origination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance/economics/business

Job description

Apolonia Capital is a Dubai-based investment banking and financial advisory firm within Apolonia Investment Holdings. The firm advises corporates, financial institutions, investors and family offices on strategic transactions, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions and other complex financial mandates across the GCC and international markets.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Apolonia Capital is seeking a commercially driven and execution-focused Vice President to originate new business, secure paid advisory mandates and lead transactions from initial engagement through completion.

This is not a pure business-development or relationship-management position. The successful candidate must combine a strong network with hands‑on transaction capability, commercial discipline and a demonstrable record of converting opportunities into signed mandates, executed transactions and collected revenue.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Originate and develop relationships with corporates, banks, family offices, institutional investors and other qualified clients.
• Identify, qualify and convert opportunities into properly documented and paid advisory mandates.
• Lead the preparation of pitches, proposals, engagement letters, teasers, information memoranda and transaction materials.
• Manage transactions across M&A, equity and debt capital raising, strategic advisory, financial‑institution transactions and selected fund‑raising assignments.
• Develop transaction structures, valuation analyses, buyer and investor universes and execution strategies.
• Lead client meetings, negotiations, due diligence processes and transaction workstreams through signing and closing.
• Coordinate internal analysts, advisers and external professional parties while maintaining clear accountability and deadlines.
• Maintain complete and accurate CRM records, including prospects, mandates, next actions, probabilities, expected fees and closing dates.
• Provide disciplined weekly reporting on origination, execution, risks, decisions required and revenue conversion.
• Work closely with the CEO and senior management to prioritise mandates and deploy resources effectively.
• Uphold Apolonia’s principle of “no origination without mandate” and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity and regulatory compliance.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Approximately 8–12 years of relevant experience in investment banking, corporate finance, transaction advisory, a Big Four deals practice or a reputable advisory boutique.
• Demonstrable experience personally originating and executing transactions.
• Evidence of at least three completed transactions, including the candidate’s specific role and contribution.
• Established relationships across the UAE and GCC with corporate decision‑makers, financial institutions, investors or family offices.
• Strong understanding of M&A, capital raising, valuation, financial modelling, due diligence and transaction documentation.
• Ability to produce high-quality materials and lead execution personally rather than relying entirely on junior staff.
• Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation ability, written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong ownership mentality, urgency and accountability for measurable outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business or a related discipline; relevant postgraduate or professional qualifications are advantageous.
• Fluency in English is essential; Arabic or another relevant regional language is advantageous.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The role will be measured against signed paid mandates, collected revenue, qualified client engagement, transaction progression, CRM discipline and successful execution—not simply meetings or introductions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should submit:

• A current and updated CV.
• A short summary of transactions personally originated and/or executed.
• Details of three completed transactions, including transaction type, approximate size, geography and the candidate’s exact role.
• Current location, notice period and compensation expectation