Deal Maker

Merchant West; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Merchant West seeks a capable originator to originate, structure, and execute profitable working capital solutions. You will drive revenue growth through new business development and deliver tailored funding to clients while ensuring disciplined credit and risk alignment with the company’s objectives.

Responsibilities include building a strong deal pipeline, negotiating and closing transactions, and collaborating with Credit and Legal teams in the Johannesburg region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• 2+ years in lending within Financial Services.
• Proven revenue track record in origination and deal execution.
• Experience in client-facing roles within Financial Services.
• Experience structuring transactions with credit and risk teams.

Responsibilities

• Source and originate new working capital opportunities through networks and client engagement.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified deals.
• Drive market penetration and new client acquisition in the Johannesburg region.
• Structure tailored working capital solutions aligned to client needs and risk appetite.
• Manage the end-to-end deal process from origination to payout.
• Ensure compliant execution and governance alignment across deals.
• Build and maintain strong client and intermediary relationships.
• Collaborate with Credit, Legal, and Operations to facilitate deal flow.

Skills

Deal origination

Financial analysis

Negotiation

Relationship management

Commercial acumen

Credit and risk understanding

Pipeline management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics or related field

Job description

To originate, structure, and execute profitable working capital solutions by leveraging strong client relationships, deep market insight, and innovative deal structuring. The role is responsible for driving revenue growth through new business development, delivering tailored funding solutions to clients, and ensuring disciplined credit and risk alignment in line with Merchant West’s strategic objectives.

Main Accountabilities

• Business Development and Origination
• Source and originate new working capital opportunities through networks and client engagement.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified deals.
• Drive market penetration and new client acquisition in the Johannesburg region.
• Deal Structuring and Execution
• Structure tailored working capital solutions aligned to client needs and risk appetite.
• Manage the end-to-end deal process from origination to payout.
• Ensure efficient execution and turnaround of transactions.
• Revenue Generation and Profitability
• Generate revenue in line with agreed targets and budgets.
• Optimise pricing and deal structures to maximise profitability.
• Drive sustainable growth through repeat and new business.
• Credit and Risk Alignment
• Ensure all deals comply with credit, risk, and governance standards.
• Work closely with Credit to structure bankable transactions.
• Maintain quality of book and minimise impairments.
• Client Relationship Management
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client and intermediary relationships.
• Deliver responsive and professional client service.
• Identify opportunities for cross-sell and repeat business.
• Stakeholder Collaboration and Deal Enablement
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Credit, Legal, Operations) to facilitate deal flow.
• Ensure quality and completeness of deal submissions.
• Support efficient internal processes and communication.
• Market Intelligence and Strategic Contribution
• Stay informed on market trends and competitor activity.
• Identify new sector opportunities and funding solutions.
• Contribute to strategic growth initiatives within the division.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field, with postgraduate qualifications or relevant financial services certifications being advantageous.

Experience

• 2+ years’ experience in the lending environment within Financial Services
• Origination and execution of finance deals with a proven revenue track record (advantageous)
• Proven success in a client-facing role within the Financial Services industry
• Structuring transactions and engaging with credit and risk teams.
• Building and managing client and intermediary relationships.
• Operating within credit, risk, and governance frameworks.
• Exposure to financial analysis, deal structuring, and lending principles.

Skills

• Deal origination and business development
• Financial analysis and deal structuring
• Negotiation and closing capability
• Relationship management and networking
• Commercial and business acumen
• Credit and risk understanding
• Pipeline management and execution
• Communication and presentation skills

Competencies

• Results-driven and performance-focused
• Strong commercial judgement
• Relationship building and influencing
• Resilience and tenacity
• Accountability and ownership
• Collaboration and stakeholder alignment
• Decision-making under pressure
• Strategic thinking and opportunity identification