Investment Associate – Private Debt Black River Park, Observatory (Cpt) Or Melrose Arch (Jhb)

Mint Kulca; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 750 000 - 950 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment fund management boutique firm is seeking a highly motivated Investment Associate to join their Private Debt team in Johannesburg. This role includes executing and managing private debt investments, conducting due diligence, and engaging in comprehensive market research. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree in finance or related fields, with 3-5 years of experience in finance and strong financial modeling skills.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in private debt, corporate finance, or related fields.
• Solid understanding of credit metrics and risk assessment in lending.
• Familiarity with company valuation methods and financial statement analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support all phases of the investment process, from deal origination to closing.
• Draft investment memorandums and presentation materials for committee review.
• Monitor market trends, peer activity, and economic indicators.

Skills

Financial Modelling

Credit Analysis

Valuation and Accounting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Investment Management, or a related field

Tools

Advanced Excel

MS Word

PowerPoint

Job description

INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE - PRIVATE DEBT to be based in Black River Park, Observatory (CPT) OR Melrose Arch (JHB)

Our client, a leading investment fund management boutique firm, is seeking a highly motivated Investment Associate to join their Private Debt team.

This role is instrumental in supporting the execution and active management of private debt investments across a variety of sectors. You will work closely with senior team members to evaluate investment opportunities, structure deals, conduct in-depth due diligence, and monitor portfolio performance. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the efficient deployment of capital and help drive sustained value for investors.

THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE ARE

NON-NEGOTIABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Education : Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Investment Management, or a related field.
• Experience : 3–5 years of relevant experience in private debt, corporate finance, leveraged finance, investment banking, credit analysis, or a related field.
• Technical Skills and Tools : Financial Modelling – Strong Excel skills, including advanced financial modelling (DCF, covenant modelling, scenario analysis) and advanced knowledge of MS Word and PowerPoint.
• Credit Analysis : Solid understanding of credit metrics, capital structures, and risk assessment in lending environments.
• Valuation and Accounting : Familiarity with company valuation methods, financial statement analysis, and corporate accounting principles.

BENEFICIAL, THOUGH NOT ESSENTIAL, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Working knowledge of debt-related legal documentation (e.g. term sheets, loan agreements, security documents).
• Honours or postgraduate degree
• Progress toward or completion of relevant designations such as CFA, CAIA, CAI, AIMC, CA(SA), or FRM.
• Certifications related to credit risk or investment analysis.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE

Transaction Execution & Underwriting

• Support all phases of the investment process, from deal origination through to closing.
• Build robust financial models (including cash flow, covenant, and return analyses) and evaluate borrower creditworthiness.
• Contribute to risk assessment, deal structuring, and the preparation of term sheets.

Due Diligence Coordination

• Assist in the coordination of third-party due diligence efforts (legal, financial, tax, commercial).
• Manage data rooms, diligence trackers, and internal workflows across multiple teams.

Investment Committee Preparation

• Draft comprehensive investment memorandums and presentation materials for committee review.
• Clearly synthesize key risks, mitigants, and return drivers for decision‑making.

Market & Borrower Research

• Conduct industry, sector, and borrower research to support deal origination and credit assessments.
• Monitor market trends, peer activity, and economic indicators that influence credit risk.

Portfolio Management & Monitoring

• Support post‑investment monitoring, including borrower engagement, financial analysis, and covenant tracking.
• Maintain performance dashboards and contribute to regular risk reviews and reporting.

Legal Documentation Support

• Review and comment on key legal documents, including loan agreements, security packages, and intercreditor arrangements.
• Work closely with legal counsel to ensure documentation accurately reflects commercial terms.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Liaise with legal, finance, and compliance teams throughout the investment lifecycle.
• Contribute to internal process improvements and share insights across the team.