Investment Director at Goodwell Investments

Summary

Goodwell Investments is a pioneering impact investment firm focused on inclusive growth. We invest in sectors providing basic goods and services or income generation opportunities to the un(der)served. Since 2006 Goodwell has raised four private equity funds with over $ 150m in capital. We invest in early and growth-stage businesses in India and Africa and our 30+ portfolio companies reach over 322 million people across 47 countries globally. Our investors are a unique mix of private investors, family offices, development finance institutions, banks, pension funds and other institutional investors.

Job Purpose

Goodwell Investments is looking for an experienced investment professional to fulfil the role of Investment Director for East Africa. The Director will be responsible for managing the Goodwell East Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya, and leading the local investment team. The role reports directly to one of our Managing Partners.

The East 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 East 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. We expect to grow our East African team from 4 to 10 full-time team members over the next 18 months.

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 ongoing mentorship, development and support of your investment team, with the aim of expanding the business and supporting inclusive, sustainable growth across Africa.  

Key Responsibilities

Business management

• Responsible for the overall management of our East African 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 East Africa 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 East Africa team;

• Co-build a culture of involvement, engagement and transparency.

Job Qualifications

Education and working experience

• 10-12 years of early-stage investment experience in (East) African markets (Seed to Series B)

• An Honours degree in Finance, Financial Management or equivalent

Knowledge and skills

• Deep local market and customer understanding, gained from years of living and working in East 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 and Swahili in speech, reading, and writing 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;

• Strong hands-on approach to leading and takes ownership;

• Acts proactively without being told what to do;

• Entrepreneurial, “can-do” spirit, bringing new ideas to the company;

• Inclusive, empathetic, and interested and comfortable in working across cultures and in a diverse and international setting;

• Life-long learner committed to ongoing learning and curious about the world around us.

Our offer 

Joining Goodwell in our Nairobi office 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 the African early stage start-up eco-system;

• 30 days of paid leave per year (based on full-time);

• Opportunity for personal development, including training;

• Flexible work hours based on a full time (40 hour) work week.

Application Process

If you can picture yourself in the above role, then we would love to hear from you. Please apply on our system. Additionally, we also require you to send a short motivation video in English. The video gives you the opportunity to present yourself in your own unique way and you are requested to include a few sentences in Swahili as well. The video should be no longer than one minute. Please send this via www.wetransfer.com to terry@adeptsystems.co.ke, including your name and the reference ‘Investment Director East Africa’.