Portfolio Management Executive

About BII

British International Investment (BII) is the UK’s leading development finance institution, wholly owned by the UK Government. Our primary mission is to address global development challenges through strategic investments that promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

BII focuses on catalysing economic development, creating jobs, and building resilient economies in some of the world's most complex and underserved markets. We invest in businesses and projects that prioritise inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and innovation.

Our approach is characterised by rigorous investment standards, high governance principles, and a commitment to delivering measurable development impact. Our team consists of highly skilled and passionate professionals dedicated to making a tangible difference globally.

We foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment that values curiosity, innovation, and professional growth. Our culture balances high performance with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, ensuring our employees can achieve their full potential while contributing to our mission.

BII at a glance:

Over 75 years supporting sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets

More than £9.9 billion in net assets

1,600+ businesses invested in

950,000+ workers in the businesses we support

650+ people in our diverse global team

3 key development objectives: Productive | Sustainable | Inclusive

Team and role overview

The Portfolio Management team is a dedicated function within the Office of the Chief Investment Officer (OCIO).  The team’s purpose is to accelerate value creation and exit readiness of investments, predominantly (but not exclusively) within BII’s direct equity investment portfolio.  This is achieved by developing the maturity of BII’s investee boards and management, and the digital capability and finance functions, through hands-on and advisory support.  Additionally, the team enables deal teams and investees to access specialist external expertise through senior advisors and board members via the Expert Network and Nominee Director programmes. 

The Executive will work closely with the director of Portfolio Management, within the OCIO Team, to support portfolio management activities across the sector investment teams; Financial Services Group, Infrastructure and Climate Group and ITS (Industries, Technology and Services), ensuring these are proactively and appropriately managed in accordance with BII’s policies, objectives and values.

Purpose

The Executive’s role is to lead the implementation of appropriate post-investment portfolio management strategies for (primarily) direct equity investments, thereby contributing to the overall development of BII’s investment business. This role will focus on board and management development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of appropriate post-investment portfolio management strategies for primarily equity investments, with a focus on board and management development, designing and delivering relevant consulting projects
• Lead the assessment and development of board and management team capacity to deliver on agreed-upon investment objectives and/or prepare for exit
• Track progress of board and management development interventions, against agreed milestones and measures, act as a sounding board to deal teams and investees
• Support the creation and implementation of board and management assessment tools for deals teams to use independently of the Portfolio Management team, building capacity across BII
• Work closely with sector teams to determine Nominee Director & Expert needs based upon sector investment strategies, building relevant candidate pools directly, and through the use of networks and search firms
• Support the BII’s Nominee Director Programme, developing training, fit for purpose process and building a database of board-ready candidates
• Support the development of BII’s Expert Network, building of the appropriate technology infrastructure, data monitoring and developing a database of appropriate candidates
• Contribute to the ongoing analysis of the team’s impact within BII’s portfolio, and value addition to internal stakeholders
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with the deal teams, Responsible Investing teams, Legal and Finance.
• Develop and maintain a broad understanding of the ecosystem in Africa and Asia with a view to building relationships with peers, identifying trends, opportunities and issues
• Maintain and grow BII’s network of Board & Leadership Development related third-party venders (e.g. recruiters, leadership coaches, compensation advisers etc.)
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise on conditions in the emerging markets and specifically the economic, political and social conditions in markets where BII operates, or potentially wishes to operate.

The candidate

Background, skills, aptitude

• Experience in assessing the leadership teams and boards of PE-backed companies
• Experience influencing companies at senior management and board level through extensive relationship building, displaying high levels of cultural sensitivity
• Experience in building networks and talent pipelines is desirable
• Experience in creating and overseeing development/change programmes is desirable
• Ability to work in a team to build consensus both internally and externally, with the ability to deal with sometimes challenging dynamics
• Experience of working with investors and a passion for development impact
• Proven track record of working successfully in emerging markets, ideally South Asia & Africa
• Leadership and team-building skills, exhibited in a multicultural and highly diverse workplace.
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills
• Candidate should be willing and able to travel to BII’s markets as needed
• Candidates should be strongly motivated by BII’s development mission

Our cultural values

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be:

• Impact-led, commercially rigorous
• Tenacious in the face of challenges
• Collaborative and caring

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. 

Please provide a cover letter with your application

Salary: Competitive