Portfolio Director

Lloyds Banking Group; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm in Westminster is seeking an experienced professional to lead and implement investment strategies. The ideal candidate will have senior relevant experience and possess exceptional leadership and analytical skills. You will be responsible for ensuring optimal management team effectiveness, supporting company growth, and enhancing investment value. The role requires the ability to work autonomously while fostering collaborative relationships. An understanding of private equity structures is beneficial but not essential.

Qualifications

• Senior relevant experience in private equity, performance improvement or restructuring.
• Ability to ensure effective risk management and compliance.
• High levels of personal integrity and honesty.

Responsibilities

• Lead investment strategy and implementation.
• Ensure the right management team and influence change.
• Support company development and value enhancement.

Skills

Senior relevant experience

Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills

Exceptional interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Ability to work autonomously

Entrepreneurial spirit

Job description

Responsibilities

• Take the lead or where relevant joint/secondary investment officer role on each investment to determine and implement the investment strategy, including selecting appropriate NXC and NEDs, monitoring their contribution, and effecting improvement where required;
• Ensure the right management team is in place to enable the company to reach its potential, strengthen the team in a timely manner and, where appropriate, influence change;
• Lead the challenge on company strategy, annual budget setting processes and provide support to management on implementation of agreed plans;
• Proactively support and influence company development both organically and through acquisition, identifying and delivering on opportunities to build value further;
• Identify and drive continued value enhancement through relevant improvement initiatives, leveraging VCP support where appropriate;
• Determine and lead the approach and timing to exit, supporting exit planning, preparation work and negotiation to maximise investment returns;
• Present investment strategy and portfolio company performance to the Investment Committee in a succinct and coherent manner, identifying key issues together with providing proactive solutions;
• In the event of investment underperformance take a lead role in working through the issues, including strategy reset, management change, cost‑out restructurings and cash management, negotiating and implementing restructuring solutions with the company's lenders and other stakeholders;
• Ensure the maintenance of the highest standards for case management, investment valuation and support;
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with potential chairmen, non‑executive directors, executive management and lenders;
• Promote the adoption of best practice and the highest standards in all aspects of the business;
• Contribute to the development of company‑wide initiatives by participating in project teams as required;
• Participate in the delivery of LDC medium‑term plan through the achievement of agreed budgets/targets;
• Demonstrate effective risk management and control by ensuring appropriate regulatory assurance and compliance, and thorough due diligence on transactions;
• Coach and manage more junior members of the team and set an example with a positive and professional attitude;
• Ensure the maintenance of the highest standards for portfolio management;
• Build on and promote the strong, collaborative culture of LDC.

Qualifications

• Senior relevant experience, either in private equity, performance improvement or restructuring, due diligence, leveraged finance or broader industry experience, including experience operating at Director/Board level;
• Direct private equity experience is not a necessity if you have a proven record of business improvement in industry; however, a strong understanding of private equity structures and implications on investment performance will be required;
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and leadership skills to support relationship building with and influencing of management teams;
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team;
• Entrepreneurial, self‑starting and motivated by personal success;
• High levels of personal integrity and honesty.

Company Overview

As the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, LDC supports management teams across the UK to fulfil their growth ambitions and build great businesses. Since 1981, LDC has invested over £5.5bn in more than 650 SME and mid‑market businesses.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

LDC supports management teams and colleagues across the UK to thrive, learn and develop. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can realize their potential, with a dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. We offer reasonable workplace adjustments for colleagues with disabilities, including flexibility in office attendance, location and working patterns. As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee fair and proportionate interviews for applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a disability, long‑term health or neurodivergent condition through the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

Regulatory Certification

This role is considered certified under the Senior Manager and Certification Regime as either requiring mandatory qualifications or being deemed a role capable of providing 'significant harm' to customers. Successful candidates will be subject to enhanced levels of vetting, and required to complete a fitness and propriety attestation on commencement and annually. Colleagues performing this role will also be subject to additional routine criminal and credit checks. As a certified colleague, details will be published on the FCA's Financial Services Register. This role has been identified as a client‑dealing function under SYSC 27.8.18R as defined in the FCA Handbook.