Portfolio executive

Job purpose

Where investments have been identified as “at risk”, the Risk & Restructuring team’s primary responsibility is the development of an in-depth understanding of and close working relationship with portfolio clients and to maximise the returns on such investments.

Act as the Account Manager and primary point of contact for a portfolio of underperforming investments. Attend and conduct meetings with portfolio companies as appropriate. Develop and implement recovery strategies. 

Support the activities of other portfolio teams across the Development Bank Group. Where investments are showing early signs of distress, work closely with colleagues and client businesses to diagnose the causes of underperformance and identify and implement turnaround plans.

Where appropriate, appraise and present requests for funding from the R&R Scheme for internal sanction.

Through these means, and drawing on third party strategic and operational support through the use of/liaison with Interim Managers, Non-Executive Directors and Insolvency Practitioners, manage and minimise the financial loss to the Development Bank from its “at risk” investments.  

Main duties and responsibilities 

• Take responsibility for the management of a portfolio of investments identified as presenting the risk of financial loss to the Development Bank Group.
• Review underperforming investments residing within other portfolio teams across the Development Bank Group.
• Develop appropriate action plans for underperforming and/or “at risk” investments, with the agreement of the Portfolio Manager/Director – Risk, Compliance & Legal to maximise returns to the Development Bank Group, including driving turnaround plans, exit strategies and recovery action, as appropriate.
• Maintain routine contact with client businesses in the Risk & Restructuring portfolios to ensure both an up to date understanding of their circumstances, and to foster productive relationships with management. Contact strategies to be tailored to the circumstances of the business in question.
• Where appropriate, introduce third party strategic, financial, operational or other support to client businesses, drawing on links with Interim Managers, Non-Executive Directors, Insolvency Practitioners, and the wider business advisory community.  
• Attend meetings with clients and intermediaries to promote successful recovery of Finance Wales’ investments.
• Produce and maintain accurate documentation for all client companies’ activities.
• Monitor and assess relevant information, including financial information, to prepare necessary reports on performance of portfolio companies.
• Where appropriate, appraise potential further investments in distressed companies. Present balanced recommendations to senior management.
• Support the Group’s drive to continuously improve investment performance. Identify and report any recurring themes/issues arising from analysis of the circumstances giving rise to underperforming/distressed clients to inform future Investment and Portfolio Management strategies.
• Where necessary liaise with insolvency professionals. 
• Ensure that all interactions with internal and external bodies and members are conducted in accordance with the highest standards of customer service to ensure timely feedback to appropriate parties.
• Any other task as may be defined by the Portfolio Manager/Director – Risk, Compliance & Legal to meet the operational needs of the department, ensuring at all times, the trust and confidence of the Group’s investors is retained.

Knowledge, skills, abilities and experience

Essential 

• Self-motivated with the ability to take a proactive approach and work efficiently without supervision.
• Comfortable in dealing with time critical client sensitive work.
• The ability to prioritise and organise workload and to work effectively under pressure and meet targets.
• Drive and determination to complete work in a qualitative manner.
• An understanding of company law and insolvency law and practice.
• A robust working knowledge of the law relating to Finance related activity and practice.
• Good communication, influencing and interpersonal skills. The ability to foster productive working relationships with distressed client businesses. 
• Strong problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Experience of working in a financial or similar numerate environment and in particular awareness or experience of analysing financial information.
• IT/PC literate with ability to use Microsoft Office Packages.
• Relevant professional qualification or minimum five years relevant industry experience.
• Driving Licence.

Desirable 

• Welsh speaker
• An awareness of SME business issues in Wales

Apply

To apply for this role, please go to https://recruitment.developmentbank.wales/