Deal Origination and Client Coverage Associate (Financial Services)

Job title : Deal Origination and Client Coverage Associate (Financial Services)

• The Company is seeking to hire a skilled Deal Origination and Client Coverage Associate who will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and developing investment and transaction opportunities while maintaining strong relationships with clients, investee companies, financial institutions, intermediaries, and other key stakeholders.
• The role involves supporting business development initiatives, transactions sourcing, client relationship management, market intelligence gathering, and the execution of strategic growth initiatives across the Company's investment and advisory businesses.
• The ideal candidate for this role will play a critical role in expanding the Company's deal pipeline, enhancing client engagement, and supporting the achievement of revenue and investment objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Deal Origination and Opportunity Sourcing:

• Identify and develop investment, advisory, and capital-raising opportunities across target sectors and markets.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective transactions and investment opportunities.
• Conduct preliminary screening and assessment of investment opportunities based on strategic, financial, and commercial criteria.
• Source opportunities through direct engagement with corporate entities, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, government agencies, professional advisers, and industry networks.
• Maintain an up-to-date deal pipeline and opportunity tracker.

Client Coverage and Relationship Management:

• Serve as a key point of contact for assigned clients and strategic partners.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with corporate clients, institutional investors, family offices, development finance institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Understand clients' strategic objectives and identify opportunities to provide investment, advisory, and asset management solutions.
• Coordinate regular client engagement activities, including meetings, presentations, and business reviews.
• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction and retention.

Business Development:

• Support the development and execution of business development strategies to expand the Company's market presence.
• Prepare business proposals, pitch books, investment teasers, and client presentations.
• Participate in networking events, conferences, industry forums, and stakeholder engagements.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across the Company's investment and advisory offerings.

Market Research and Intelligence:

• Monitor economic, industry, and market developments to identify emerging investment opportunities.
• Conduct sector analyses and competitive intelligence research.
• Prepare market reports, industry outlooks, and business development insights.
• Maintain databases of target companies, investors, and transaction opportunities.

Transaction Support:

• Collaborate with investment and transaction execution teams to progress sourced opportunities.
• Support preliminary due diligence and information gathering exercises.
• Assist in preparing investment memoranda, client proposals, and transaction documentation.
• Facilitate communication between clients, investors, advisers, and internal stakeholders during transaction execution.

Strategic Partnerships:

• Develop and manage relationships with referral partners, including law firms, accounting firms, consulting firms, investment banks, and industry associations.
• Identify partnership opportunities that can generate quality deal flow and business opportunities.
• Support strategic initiatives aimed at expanding the Company's network and market reach.

Reporting and Performance Management:

• Maintain accurate records of client engagements, business development activities, and transaction opportunities.
• Prepare periodic pipeline, coverage, and business development reports.
• Track and report progress against deal origination and client coverage targets.
• Ensure timely updates to customer relationship management (CRM) systems and internal databases.

Compliance and Governance:

• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and corporate governance standards.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and transaction information.
• Support Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and onboarding processes where required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related field from a highly reputable academic institution. Class of degree – First Class or Second Class Upper (2.1) is a must have.
• Master's degree (MBA, MSc Finance, or related discipline) is an advantage.
• CFA, ACA, ACCA, CIS, or other relevant professional certifications will be an advantage.
• 7 years of relevant experience in corporate banking, financial advisory, transaction advisory or investment management.
• Demonstrated experience in client relationship management and business development.
• Strong understanding of the Nigerian financial services and investment landscape.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Knowledge of investment products, corporate finance, and capital markets.
• Business development and sales management skills.
• Market research and opportunity assessment capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM platforms.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong networking and relationship-building abilities.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• High level of professionalism and integrity.
• Ability to work independently and achieve business development targets.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.