Investment Director, South Africa
Goodwell Investments is a pioneer in impact investment, dedicated to generating opportunities for all, by focusing on inclusive growth in sectors providing basic goods and services, and by creating income generation opportunities for underserved communities in both Africa and India. Since 2006, Goodwell has managed five private equity funds with over 320m € in capital. We invest in early and growth-stage businesses in India and Africa. Our 35+ portfolio companies reach over 330 million people across 47 countries. Goodwell is a truly global, locally present firm. We have teams and partners in India, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and the Netherlands. With a track record of over fifteen years, Goodwell demonstrates the ability to simultaneously deliver significant social impact and strong financial returns.
Job summary
We are looking for an Investment Director for Southern Africa who will be responsible for managing the Goodwell Southern African investment team in Cape Town. The role reports directly to one of our Managing Partners.
The Southern African investment team is responsible for building and maintaining a strong portfolio of inclusive businesses across the region. This includes continuous pipeline development, deal execution and providing active post-investment support to portfolio companies across Southern Africa. The latter consists of close assistance with operational, strategic and financial matters, help with securing additional growth capital and providing guidance through growth, change, and emerging market challenges.
This role is part of Goodwell’s senior leadership and management team. You will therefore have an active role in decision making regarding Goodwell’s overall investment strategy and process, as well as play a key role in developing investment theses. Together with our Director of People, Culture and Networks, you will be responsible for coaching, development and support of the Southern African investment team, with the aim of expanding the business and supporting inclusive, sustainable growth across Africa.
Responsibilities and duties
- Business management
- Responsible for the overall management of our Southern Africa portfolio of investments, from deal-sourcing and execution through to exit;
- Represent Goodwell Investments on the Board of Directors of portfolio companies or in industry bodies;
- Maintain and develop an active network of entrepreneurs, investors, and sector leaders to advance Goodwell’s work across its portfolio and geographies;
- Interact frequently with current and prospective investors and business or investment partners.
- People management
- Manage the Southern African office and lead the team on a daily basis;
- Provide thought leadership and coaching to the investment team on investment strategy and execution;
- Assist with talent development and building company culture;
- Manage team performance reviews including compensation, benefits, and promotion opportunities for the Southern Africa team;
- Co-build a culture of involvement, engagement and transparency.
Qualifications
- Education and working experience
- 10+ years of early-stage investment experience in (Southern) African markets (Seed to Series B).
- A Master’s degree in finance, financial management or equivalent.
- Knowledge and skills
- Deep local market and customer understanding, gained from years of living and working in Southern Africa;
- Deep understanding of, and proven experience in, one or more of the sectors in which Goodwell is investing, such as financial inclusion (including fintech), agriculture, mobility and logistics, health, energy and education;
- Demonstrable financial or other investment modelling skills;
- Ability to prioritize and plan effectively and complete multiple tasks efficiently, without sacrificing work quality;
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders;
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, comfortable speaking to a variety of audiences;
- Fluency in English is required;
- Ability to travel regionally and internationally for due diligence trips, investor field visits and related events.
- Personal characteristics
- Strong alignment with Goodwell’s mission for supporting the growth of inclusive businesses;
- Proactive and hands-on approach to leading: takes initiative and ownership.
- Entrepreneurial, “can-do” spirit, bringing new ideas to the company;
- Inclusive, empathetic, interested and comfortable in working across cultures and in a diverse and international setting;
- Life-long learner.
Our offer
Joining Goodwell in Cape Town means you will be joining an international and inclusive culture, where like-minded people work naturally together to achieve ambitious goals.
- A market-related salary, commensurate with experience and exposure to African early-stage startup eco-system.
- 30 days of paid leave per year.
- Opportunity for personal development, including training.
- Flexible work hours based on a full-time (40 hour) work week.
- Lunch and snacks provided
Application Process
If you can picture yourself in the above role, then we would love to hear from you. To apply, please send your CV along with a short motivation video. The video gives you the opportunity to present yourself in your own unique way! The video should be no longer than one minute. Please send both documents via www.wetransfer.com to HRM@goodwell.nl including your name and the reference ‘Investment Director Southern-Africa’.
Both CV and video need to be received for your application to be considered.
The application deadline is 1 July, 2022.
Note
Goodwell Investments supports diversity and is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are decided on the basis of merit, competence and business need. Goodwell Investments does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other non-merit factor covered by appropriate law.