Portfolio Director - Growth Investment ·

BGF Ireland; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Portfolio Director to oversee a defined set of investments and support the growth of portfolio companies. This pivotal role involves engaging with company boards, structuring follow-on investments, and preparing companies for successful exits. With a focus on value creation and strong stakeholder relationships, the ideal candidate will bring over 8 years of experience in corporate finance or portfolio management. Join a dynamic team committed to fostering growth in the UK SME sector, where your expertise will drive significant impact and contribute to the success of numerous businesses.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in value creation or portfolio management with board experience.
• Strong academic background with advanced qualifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage investments and board relations for portfolio companies.
• Assist in delivering plans and maximizing value for portfolio firms.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Value Creation

Corporate Finance

Negotiation Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Business Judgement

Relationship Development

Education

Advanced Professional Qualification (ACA, CFA)

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Job title: Portfolio

Department: Investment

Role type: Permanent

Primary Location: Bristol

About us:

BGF has built the world’s most active growth capital investment platform, established to help growing SMEs across the UK. Since raising £2.5bn in 2011, we have backed more than 430 businesses and 42,000 jobs, investing over £2.8bn of patient capital.

With over 180 talented staff operating from a network of 16 offices, we invest at all stages of growth, from early to quoted, and across all industries.

Role summary:

The Portfolio Director will be directly responsible for managing a defined set of investments, taking board seat positions on behalf of BGF. The Portfolio Director will also support the wider Growth team in the management of other portfolio companies. The objective is to ensure that each portfolio company delivers an appropriate level of performance over the period of BGF's investment.

Key responsibilities:

1. Develop and maintain an ongoing understanding of the key market, financial, commercial, operational, legal, regulatory and compliance issues facing each portfolio business to gain a sufficient understanding of the opportunities the business is pursuing and the critical issues the business is tackling.
2. Develop good working relationships with the board of each business, working closely with Non-Executive Chairs together with the CEO and CFO, representatives from other investors, and where relevant any other member of the Senior Management Team.
3. Assist portfolio companies in delivering their plans and maximising value, providing support and challenge to the executive team. Where appropriate, assisting the board of the portfolio company with management change and recruitment.
4. Structure and negotiate follow-on investments, preparing and presenting investment papers to BGF’s Investment Committee. Negotiate legal documentation with the assistance of external lawyers to complete such investments.
5. Help portfolio companies prepare for exit, via trade sale, IPO or refinancing, ensuring that BGF has the opportunity to optimise its exit timing and value. Manage exit processes through to a successful conclusion.
6. Provide internal reporting within BGF on the performance of portfolio companies, periodic valuations, and value forecasting exercises.
7. Look for opportunities to share knowledge/insight across BGF’s wider portfolio.

Key skills & experience:

1. 8+ years’ experience working within a value creation or portfolio team at fund level, including taking board seats in portfolio companies, or within corporate finance or restructuring advisory.
2. An excellent academic track record. It is desirable to hold an advanced professional qualification e.g. ACA, CFA or equivalent; however, this is not an essential requirement.
3. Experience of effective liaison with multiple stakeholders including institutional shareholders and financing partners, including with more challenging situations.
4. Demonstrated ability to influence management teams and stakeholders to drive value creation.
5. Strong relationship development skills with ability to work across different businesses and cultures.
6. Sound business and commercial judgement.
7. A deep interest in UK business and the UK entrepreneur/SME sector.
8. Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively in a small team environment.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:

BGF is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, age, nationality or socio-economic background. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide personal information related to diversity and inclusiveness. The information you provide is kept completely confidential and will not be used to evaluate your candidacy. We collect this data to help us analyse our recruitment processes and implement the necessary interventions that promote greater equity, diversity, and inclusion.