Manager – Investment & Partnership – Aldar Education

Aldar Education is currently seeking a Manager – Investments & Partnerships to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group. 

As the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. We offer a range of brands for all learners in our community, from nursery through to adult education.  We offer the broadest choice of curricula. In the largest number of locations in Abu Dhabi.

Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought after education provider, now supporting over 38,000 students in 31 schools and a growing network of almost 5,000 educators, with over 100 nationalities, offering a wide range of curricula and ancillary services such as a Teacher Training Academy. 

Working collaboratively, our education network’s purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government. Today, Aldar Education’s efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.

The incumbent will continuously strive to exceed internal & external customer expectations while embracing the Aldar Education Core Values.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Main Duties    

• Develop investment strategies aligned with the long-term financial goals and mission of the education company.
• Lead the preparation and overall management of the 5-year corporate business plan, ensuring alignment with all business functions.
• Lead the internal due diligence of M&A transactions, prepare financial models, and perform sensitivity & scenario analysis.

Specific Duties

Business Plan

• Develop Aldar Education growth strategy and oversee the five-year business planning process to reflect the group’s long-term financial and operational direction.
• Lead the preparation and overall management of the 5-year corporate business plan, ensuring alignment with all business functions.

Investment Analysis

• Lead the internal due diligence of M&A transactions, prepare financial models, and perform sensitivity & scenario analysis for growth opportunities, both internal and external.
• Develop and maintain feasibility study models and work closely with department heads to align on operating assumptions.
• Support in preparation of investment committee and board packs.
• Support in market research studies and development of growth plan.

Investment Management

• Work with external Financial due diligence, commercial due diligence, and legal due diligence teams for completion of M&A transactions.
• Manage deal pricing (Headline pricing and adjustments to construct Enterprise value to Equity bridge).
• Support preparation of transaction documents including the sale and purchase agreement, shareholder agreement, disclosure and bid letter.
• Support preparation of pricing mechanics, financial indemnities and warranties, and accounting definitions, analyze a normal level of working capital of deal pricing.
• Support in pricing, structure negotiation and documentation of land and property leases for Greenfield/Brownfield transactions.
• Support in negotiation of regional geographic expansion and related documentation with external parties.
• Any additional investment or strategy-related tasks as assigned by the management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or engineering
• MBA in Finance / CFA preferred

Minimum Experience    

• Minimum 8+ years in finance, 4 years+ in managerial positions
• Experience in M&A and Corporate Development
• Education industry experience desirable

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills    
•    Proven Project Management skills and M&A experience with track record of completed transactions
•    Strong finance and investments skills including experience and knowledge of valuation, modelling, post merger integration
•    Fluent English communication skills, written and oral
•    Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner
•    Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure
•    Advanced excel skills with proven financial modeling experience 
•    Ability to liaise effectively business functions in order to collect input required for analysis 
•    Ability to be detail focused when required whilst maintaining sight of the big picture
•    Deadline oriented and take ownership of work
•    Excellent analytical capabilities and hands on experience in MS Office presentations
•    Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity 
•    Excellent interpersonal skills