Job Description
Position: Private Equity Operating Partner
Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Compensation: Salary + Benefits + Carried Interest
Status: Permanent / Full-Time
Starting date: ASAP
Position Overview
Leopard Capital is seeking an Operating Partner to join the team for our US$20 million Leopard Haiti Fund, based in Port-au-Prince. The Operating Partner will be expected to take part in both pre- and post-investment activities. Pre-investment, the Operating Partner will work closely with the current investment team to identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities. Post-investment, the Operating Partner will work closely with CEOs and management teams of our small and medium-sized investee companies to help them achieve their full potential. Critical will be the Operating Partner’s ability to assess and confirm each company’s needs pre- and post investment, and monitor execution and results.
Characteristics of the ideal candidate
- Proven track record of unlocking company value through implementing viable commercial growth strategies, instituting operational controls, and maximizing business efficiency
- Ability to quickly understand the primary drivers of a variety of businesses, diagnose problems, and think through solutions, in a context of private equity investing
- Strong communication skills, including the soft skills needed to influence and garner trust from CEOs
- Ability to listen to and interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds
- Highly motivated and energetic, with collegial and sharing work style
- Adaptability, resourcefulness, and work ethic needed to thrive on a small team in a challenging frontier market
- Entrepreneurial, hands-on, problem-solving attitude suited for working with few subordinates or external intermediaries, but pro-actively seeking counsel when needed
- High professional integrity and sound business judgment when working with colleagues, potential partners and businesses
Responsibilities
Portfolio-level
- Support investment team in evaluating deals, conducting due diligence, and assessing management of potential portfolio companies
- Assist company management in developing growth strategies, operational controls and strategic plans that maximize shareholder value
- Participate on company boards and improve corporate governance procedures
- Support company management with improving day-to-day operations, execution capabilities, and cost competitiveness, and holding management accountable based on key performance indicators
Fund-level
- Support fundraising and investor relations activities
- Mentor and train LHF team members while leading by example
Requirements
- Relevant undergraduate degree, with preference given to candidates with an MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Operations, Engineering, or Supply Chain Management
- Minimum of 10 years’ work experience in business consulting, operational management (generalist or specialist), or other relevant leadership roles in companies or private equity firms
- Familiarity with private equity investing and evaluating early and mid-stage investment opportunities in small and medium enterprises (in emerging markets)
- Experience serving on Boards of Directors preferred
- Experience living in developing countries, capacity to adapt to a different business environment, and readiness to live in Haiti full-time
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; additional fluency in French and/or Haitian Creole strongly preferred
- Full references required
Qualified candidates should submit resume and cover letter to Reshma Alva, Associate Partner, at ra@leopardcapital.com. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis, but should apply no later than June 2nd, 2014.
About Leopard Capital
Leopard Capital is a partnership of experienced investment professionals with backgrounds in fund management, investment banking, business consulting and operations management. A pioneer of private equity in overlooked frontier markets since 2007, Leopard Capital’s early-mover strategy reflects the enterprising spirit of its founder and team.
Its first fund, Leopard Cambodia Fund, raised in 2007-2008 during the global financial crisis, has made 13 investments with three exits. Leopard Capital launched its second fund, Leopard Haiti Fund (“LHF”), in July 2012 with US$20 million in funding from International Finance Corporation (IFC), Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), and the Dutch government’s development bank (FMO). Target sectors of LHF include Food Processing, Renewable Energy, Affordable Housing/Building Construction, and Tourism, but the Fund invests opportunistically in any company that offers attractive financial and social returns.
Additional information about Leopard Capital and Leopard Haiti Fund can be found at www.leopardcapital.com.
