Overview
We are currently mandated with a growth buyout fund looking to expand into the SME market.
Your Role
As an Investment Manager, you will take on a highly entrepreneurial role and actively shape the build-up of our new direct investment strategy.
Responsibilities
- Strategy Development: Co-designing and refining our direct PE strategy; defining investment themes, targets and criteria.
- Deal Sourcing & Origination: Actively sourcing platform and add-on investment opportunities. Building and leveraging networks, initiating outreach, proactively meeting potential targets and identifying off-market deal flow.
- Financial & Market Analysis: Deep market research, competitive benchmarking, financial modelling, including LBO modelling, valuation work, and preparing investment memos.
- Due Diligence & Deal Execution: Leading, coordinating and managing due diligence workstreams (commercial, financial, legal, tax, operational, ESG), structuring acquisitions and debt financing, co-leading SPA and SHA negotiations
- Portfolio Support & Value Creation: Supporting the portfolio companies post-acquisition as a non-executive board member, helping define growth and operational strategies, identifying and executing add-ons, and preparing for exits.
What You Bring
- Outstanding academic background: Bachelor's, Master or MBA from a leading university with excellent study results
- Relevant Experience: 5+ years of working experience with at least 3 years of hands-on experience in small- or mid-cap private equity, corporate M&A, or M&A investment banking. Solid track record in deal sourcing/origination is essential.
- Transaction & Structuring Expertise: Experience with financial modelling (LBO etc.), valuation, structuring of transactions, conducting due diligence, debt financing, familiarity with SPA/SHA or equivalent deal documentation, and negotiating terms.
- Analytical & Entrepreneurial Mindset: Excellent analytical skills; ability to think strategically; strong problem-solving; being proactive, self-motivated, and able to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Communication & Stakeholder Skills: Strong communicator; capable of interacting with entrepreneurs, management teams, external advisors, and legal/finance counterparties. Persuasive, confident.
- Languages: Native in German and fluent in English.
- Personality Fit: Driven, motivated, collaborative, hands-on, with a true entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for building companies.