Description

The Senior Investment Director role is to provide senior leadership and hands-on execution capability across the full private equity life cycle – origination, underwriting, structuring, execution, portfolio value creation, and exits – to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns for the IAF’s equity and quasi equity investments. The role is expected to operate at near-Partner level, representing the Fund with CEOs, shareholders, regulators, co-investors and LPs, and leading complex transactions from ideation through to realization.

Principal Responsibilities

• Origination & Deal Sourcing
  • Build and own a proprietary pipeline across priority infrastructure themes, using deep networks with sponsors, corporates, founders, governments, DFIs, and advisors.
  • Identify opportunities by anticipating market trends, regulatory shifts, technology evolution, and competitive dynamics in African infrastructure.
  • Lead relationship development with top-tier sponsors and management teams to generate deal flow and preferred access.
  • Work across all the IAF’s core infrastructure sectors (power & energy; transport & logistics; water & sanitation; and digital & social infrastructure) with domain expertise in at least one of these areas
     
• Investment Underwriting, Structuring & Execution
  • Lead evaluation and execution of equity and quasi-equity investments with a strong focus on high IRRs and disciplined downside protection.
  • Drive investment cases through to IC approval, including: due diligence scoping, value creation planning, downside / stress testing, and alignment with Fund strategy.
  • Lead complex negotiations and documentation including loan/intercreditor agreements, SPA, SSA, SHA and related investment documentation to support common/preferred equity instruments, convertibles, put/call structures, management incentive plans, and other bespoke terms.
  • Design investment structures that optimize returns and protect capital, coordinating with lenders and advisers to deliver fit-for-purpose capital structures.
     
• Portfolio Management & Value Creation
  • Hold senior responsibility for post-investment stewardship, including board representation, governance leadership, and execution of value creation plans.
  • Establish and monitor portfolio KPIs (financial, operational, strategic) with structured routines: monthly performance reviews, early-warning indicators, and issue escalation.
  • Lead portfolio initiatives such as: strategic growth, capital structure optimization, follow-on investing, operational performance improvements, etc.
  • Oversee portfolio risk management: covenant compliance, liquidity planning, counterparty risk, FX and macro exposure, regulatory issues, and remediation plans.
  • Lead reporting to internal and external stakeholders: IC updates, valuation reviews, impairments/write-ups, and LP reporting, ensuring audit-quality documentation and investment narratives.
     
• Exits & Realisations
  • Own and drive exit strategy from entry—defining pathways, timing triggers, value milestones, and optionality (trade sale, secondary, IPO, structured partial realisations, recap).
  • Lead sell-side processes end-to-end: appointing advisers, preparing equity story, vendor DD coordination, management presentations, data room strategy, bid evaluation, and negotiation of final terms.
  • Negotiate exit documentation (sale agreements, transitional arrangements, warranties/indemnities, escrows, earn-outs where relevant) with a focus on value maximisation and risk containment.
  • Manage co-shareholder alignment and governance mechanics for exits (tag/drag, ROFR/ROFO, consent thresholds), ensuring robust execution in minority/consortium settings.
     
• Stakeholder Management & Fund Representation
  • Build and maintain senior relationships with co-investors, DFIs/LPs, governments, regulators, lenders, and strategic partners to create deal momentum and execution certainty.
  • Serve as a senior representative of the IAF in market engagements and industry forums
     
• Team Leadership & Talent Development
  • Lead multi-disciplinary deal teams; set analytical standards, coach execution excellence, and develop high-potential investors.
  • Provide mentorship and quality control across models, IC memos, negotiation strategy, and portfolio workstreams.

Candidate Profile 

Experience 

• Significant relevant work experience: At least 15-20+ years of pure private equity (and/or growth equity with PE discipline), with meaningful experience across: origination, execution, portfolio value creation, and exits.
• Demonstrable track record of:
  • Leading transactions as principal deal lead
  • Serving on boards / exercising governance rights
  • Delivering value creation initiatives post-close
  • Completing realised exits (trade/secondary/IPO/recap pathways) with the judgement to balance IRR, MOIC, liquidity and risk.
• Infrastructure experience strongly preferred; Africa highly valued.

Technical Competencies 

• Expert-level capability in: valuation, LBO/growth models, downside protection, scenario analysis, and investment structuring (including preferred/structured equity).
• Strong command of transaction documentation and negotiation strategy; ability to translate commercial intent into enforceable legal terms.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, tax, and structuring considerations relevant to cross-border PE in Africa.
• High comfort engaging with debt providers and advisers to shape capital structures (without positioning the role as a lending role).
• Proven ability to originate and convert proprietary deal flow through senior networks.
• Executive presence and credibility with CEOs, founders, government principals, and sophisticated co-investors.
• Strong judgement under ambiguity; ability to take accountability and make investment decisions with incomplete information.
• High standards on governance, ethics, and fiduciary responsibility; disciplined approach to risk.

Leadership Attributes

Behavioural/ Interpersonal Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication (Board/IC/LP quality).
• Strong negotiation skills, composure, and stakeholder orchestration in complex multi-party settings.
• Culturally agile and able to operate across diverse environments; willingness to travel extensively.
• Commitment to Africa50 Group and IAF’s mission, strategy and values
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development
• Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Finance, Economics, Engineering or equivalent).
• MBA, MSc, CFA or equivalent qualification is a plus.
• Fluent English; French is a strong advantage.

Location

The role will be based in Casablanca, Morocco with possible flexible remote working arrangements.

Application

If you are interested in this role, Click here to apply.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

At Africa50, we believe inclusive teams drive stronger and more sustainable impact. We are committed to equal opportunity and fair recruitment practices, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We strive to create a respectful, diverse, and inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute and grow.