Senior Advisory Vice President, Investment Banking

The role of Senior Advisory Vice President within Investment Banking at Liberty calls for a seasoned professional who is deeply commercial and possesses a strong client focus. This position is instrumental in driving revenue growth and expanding market share by delivering strategic, forward-thinking advice to a portfolio of clients facing moderately complex challenges. The successful candidate will be adept at originating, structuring, and executing tailored advisory solutions that directly address clients’ unique business needs and strategic ambitions, ultimately aiming to create value and maximise shareholder returns. This role necessitates close collaboration with colleagues across Investment Banking and broader Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) teams, all contributing to the achievement of revenue targets, the strengthening of client relationships, the maintenance of market leadership, and the reinforcement of the CIB Advisory franchise as the go-to partner for strategic corporate and transactional counsel.

The Advisory Mandate

At its core, this position involves acting as a trusted corporate finance advisor. The incumbent will be responsible for shaping and implementing sector and geography strategies by initiating, structuring, and executing transactions that not only enhance the firm’s franchise but also grow Advisory market share. A significant part of the role is to generate sustainable Investment Banking revenue and ensure exceptional client outcomes.

Key responsibilities in this capacity include:

• Leading the entire process of originating, structuring, and executing complex transactions. This requires meticulous coordination of all workstreams, ensuring milestones are met, and transactions are completed within the stipulated timelines.
• Cultivating and maintaining senior-level client relationships. This involves leading engagements with C-suite executives, providing transaction updates, and participating in strategic discussions. Managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring a superior client experience throughout the entire deal lifecycle are paramount.
• Spearheading the creation and delivery of compelling pitch books, strategic proposals, and client presentations. A strong grasp of market insights and the ability to offer expert recommendations are crucial for securing mandates and expanding the transaction pipeline.
• Designing and optimising transaction structures, including financial and capital solutions. This also entails negotiating engagement letters, commercial terms, fees, and legal agreements with a view to maximising both shareholder value and client results.
• Directing and participating in transaction negotiations with clients and key internal and external stakeholders. Effective coordination of the deal execution and closing processes is essential for achieving commercial objectives and successful transaction completion.
• Ensuring strict adherence to all regulatory, governance, risk, and business control requirements. This involves driving stakeholder alignment and obtaining necessary approvals to facilitate efficient transaction execution.
• Developing and leveraging robust internal and external networks to enhance market intelligence, identify emerging opportunities, and strengthen deal flow, thereby positioning CIB as the preferred Advisory partner.
• Providing expert oversight and review of financial models, valuations, transaction documentation, and shareholder governance considerations, ensuring technical excellence and sound commercial decision-making.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams. This includes managing resource allocation for deal activities, fostering an inclusive and high-performance culture, and enhancing team capabilities to address evolving client, sector, and market demands.

Candidate Profile and Experience

The ideal candidate will hold a Degree in Business Commerce and bring between 8 to 10 years of relevant Investment Banking experience. Essential to this role is the demonstrated ability to provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision to team members. Advanced experience in conducting, collating, and reviewing detailed financial and/or valuation analysis, coupled with a proven track record in preparing client documentation such as presentation books, management presentations, board materials, and memoranda for transactions, is required.

A solid understanding of South African financial and capital structuring regulations is a prerequisite, including the Companies Act, the Securities Regulation Panel Code, JSE Listings Requirements, and pertinent Tax legislation. Furthermore, the candidate should possess experience in applying project management practices to effectively manage multiple deals concurrently, requiring coordination and resource management across various transactions.

Behavioural competencies of particular interest include the ability to challenge ideas, examine information critically, generate innovative ideas, develop strategic approaches, make insightful decisions, seize opportunities, and effectively convince others. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to understand and interact well with people, empower individuals, and uphold high standards, are also highly valued. Technical competencies encompass business insights, deal negotiation acumen, client business case development, an understanding of industry dynamics and international markets, product development awareness, and risk/reward thinking.

In South Africa, a Senior Advisory Vice President role in Investment Banking typically commands a competitive remuneration package, reflecting the seniority, expertise, and responsibilities involved. Major financial institutions and advisory firms are the common employers. Career progression often involves moving into more senior executive positions within investment banking or related financial services sectors.

Qualification: Degree in Business Commerce

Experience Required
Investment Banking
8-10 years
Ability to provide leadership, mentorship and supervision to team members.

8-10 years
Advanced experience in conducting, collating and reviewing detailed financial and / or valuation analysis and preparing client documentation (presentation books, management presentations, board materials, memoranda, and other presentation materials) for use in transactions. Sound knowledge of the Companies Act, Securities Regulation Panel Code, JSE Listings requirements and relevant Tax legislation as it pertains to financial and capital structuring advice.

8-10 years
Experience in applying project management practices to effectively manage multiple deals requiring multiple products. Experience in coordinating transactions and managing resources across deals.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Challenging Ideas and Examining Information
• Generating Ideas and Developing Strategies
• Providing Insights and Making Decisions
• Seizing Opportunities and Convincing People
• Interacting with People and Understanding People
• Empowering Individuals and Upholding Standards

Technical Competencies:

• Business Insights and Deal Negotiation
• Client Business Case
• Industry Knowledge and International Market Knowledge
• Product Development
• Risk/ Reward Thinking