The European Investment Fund is seeking to recruit for its Lower Mid-Market Divisions responsible for primary fund investments, at its headquarters in Luxembourg, (Senior) Investment Manager(s). This is a full time position (travel required) at grade 5/6 for which the EIF offers a permanent contract.

This is a generic campaign in the view of both current and possible future vacancies.

Panel interviews via video-conference are anticipated for October/November 2023

EIF Purpose:

Part of the EIB Group, the mission of the European Investment Fund (EIF) is to improve access to finance for SMEs and small mid-caps in Europe. We do this by supporting emerging and established fund managers with equity investments and by designing debt financing instruments that share the risk taken by financial institutions when they lend to or invest in small businesses. We bring this support closer to entrepreneurs through our extensive network of partners and financial intermediaries in all EU Member States and associated countries.

Team Purpose:

The European economy’s backbone is constituted by SMEs and Mid-Caps, which represent over 95% of European companies and generate about two thirds of EU GDP. It is crucial for the EU to support their growth and development, in order to make them stronger, more competitive and better equipped to face global economic developments. SMEs and Mid-Caps will also provide a vital contribution to addressing epochal challenges that confront the European society, like climate change, the digital transformation and the need to ensure European independence and self-sustainability in strategic sectors (including energy and food supply). This has become even more crucial since the Russian aggression to Ukraine has evidenced the need for Europe to abate its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the transition towards net zero.
However, funding options for European SMEs and Mid-Caps are often limited and insufficient to meet their needs.

EIF, with its Lower Mid-Market team, contributes to broadening SMEs’ and Mid-Caps’ options to access the necessary financing, through investments into Private Equity and Private Credit funds across Europe.

In addition, to support the EU Member States in achieving independence from Russian fossil fuels, the EIB Group will further extend its already substantial financing activities in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency and deepen its engagement in sustainability and green transitions. As a result, the EIF Lower Mid-Market team is expected, as a temporary measure, to make additional investments of EUR 200m p.a. over a period of five years in funds targeting the energy transition.

As a (Senior) Investment Manager you will therefore operate within the EU Private Equity sector, across the segments of Growth Capital, Hybrid Debt/Equity & Mezzanine. You will assist in the identification, appraisal, negotiation and monitoring of primary fund investments and co-investments throughout the European Union and the Pre-Accession Countries.

Operating network:

Working in small teams, you will contribute to the development of the Equity Investments business plan, with special attention to the thematic focus adopted by EIF. This includes participating in the scouting, selection and negotiation of investment opportunities and taking responsibility in the monitoring of the portfolio of existing fund investments. The job requires the ability to understand the Private Equity markets in Europe, to develop and maintain relationships with external counterparts (including fund managers, investors and advisors) and to interface with other EIF services (risk management, compliance, legal services, etc).

Responsibilities:

At a level commensurate with your experience and seniority, you will:

• Gather qualitative and quantitative information on developments in private equity / private debt and on companies relevant to EIF business, and on any aspects that may affect the EIF portfolio;

• Participate in the development of a network of high level/quality external contacts, including fund managers, limited partners, advisors and placement agents;
• Contribute to the implementation of the Lower Mid-Market business plan, participating as necessary in the research, identification of business opportunities, preparation of proposals, due diligence, structuring and negotiation of transactions;
• Contribute to the monitoring and follow-up of investments portfolio contributing to periodic reporting, analysing specific monitoring events and contributing to developing appropriate recommendations for follow-up actions;
• Supervise junior colleagues on specific activities / projects;
• Represent EIF in Investors meetings and in Advisory Boards as appropriate (depending on seniority).

Qualifications:

• University degree in finance, business administration, or any other relevant topic;
• Post-graduate qualifications constituting a distinct advantage;
• For the Investment Manager role: At least five (5) years of post-graduation (after having obtained your initial university diploma) relevant professional experience at the same level of responsibility;
• For the Senior Investment Manager role: At least eight (8) years of post-graduation (after having obtained your initial university diploma) relevant professional experience at the same level of responsibility;
• Solid Financial Analysis skills;
• Any – or combination – of the following, will be a requirement for the role:
  • Prior experience in fund of funds and/or direct investments;
  • Additional previous experience in a financial or corporate environment;
  • Proven track record in the fields of Equity Investments industry;
  • Good understanding of EIF’s operational framework;
  • Good understanding of the energy technological sector and of energy efficiency businesses.
• Good IT skills (standard Office tools, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written). Knowledge of other EU languages would be an advantage.

Personal Qualities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills;
• Commercial approach;
• Ability to manage complex operations;
• Very good interpersonal skills;
• Sense of initiative and problem-solving approach;
• Ability to organise her/his work, set priorities and meet deadlines;
• Excellent team spirit.

Deadline for applications: 28 September 2023

We are an equal opportunities employer, who believes that diversity is good for our people and our business. We encourage all suitably qualified and eligible candidates to apply regardless of their gender identity/expression, age, racial, ethnic and cultural background, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, disability or neurodiversity.

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact the EIF Recruitment team Recruitment@eif.org who will ensure that your request is handled.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge the importance of maintaining the security and integrity of the Information of the EIB Group. In case of selection for the position you agree to comply with all measures (policies, controls, document classification and management) implemented by the EIB Group to prevent unauthorized disclosure of any information or any damage to the EIB Group reputation.

Candidates are informed that pre-employment integrity screening is an integral part of the EIF recruitment process.

* Due to high volume of applications, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.