Asset Management, Global Transport Group (GTG), Vice President (Acquisitions)

Job summary:

The Global Alternatives Group (“Global Alts”), a division of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, comprised of Real Estate, Infrastructure, Transportation (“GTG”), Private Equity, Private Credit, Liquid Alternatives and Hedge Fund Strategies, has approximately $168 billion of assets under management. With over 700 professionals worldwide and over 40 years of experience, Global Alts is a trusted advisor to the world's most respected corporations, governments, institutions and high net worth investors.

A vacancy has arisen for a Vice President on the Acquisitions Team of the Global Transportation Group within Global Alts, in London. The position will play an important role in GTG’s investment strategy, developing the identification and execution of corporate mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”). A track record in corporate M&A is required for this role, and a suitable candidate will have command over the full M&A process as well as the legal documents that underpin corporate acquisitions (for example, shareholder agreements, definitive agreements of various forms, letters of intent, joint venture agreements). He or she will also be expected to guide junior team members on strategies that drive value through the acquisition process (such as due diligence, merger models, projection and synergies analysis, negotiations, key management retention or change management strategies, structuring, and financing). A candidate with more than seven (7) years of banking experience within a top tier / bulge bracket bank in the M&A or Transportation Industry coverage team is strongly preferred. M&A banking experience coupled with a legal degree or background is ideal.

Excellent communication (written and verbal), analytical, financial, time management and organizational skills are required. As a senior member of the investment team, the ability to guide and develop junior team members is critical. An interest in and experience transacting within the transportation sectors (maritime, energy logistics, aviation, railcar, container leasing, vehicle fleets, etc.) is strongly preferred.

Job responsibilities

• Pipeline development – work with GTG senior management to analyze and identify potential acquisition targets, suitable to the Fund’s investment mandate

• Valuation and pricing – work with junior team members to build analytical models that value potential acquisitions, within the context of GTG’s investment returns requirements. Construct comprehensive valuation models that estimate the impact of synergies (if a merger) or identify opportunities to enhance value through internal change processes. Select and employ appropriate valuation techniques that are suitable to the target company’s business. Compare valuation to outside opinions where relevant.

• M&A process management – when suitable opportunities are identified, work with junior resources as well as external advisors to develop a context-dependent approach (given the structure of the process and number of competitors: e.g broad auction versus negotiated sales).

• Due diligence – guide internal and external resources on a comprehensive, structured review of target company’s contracts, agreements, financials, tax position, customers, IP, IT, HR, regulatory and environmental compliance, shareholding structures, and any other relevant factors that would impact a final offer price.

• Documentation - Including letters of intent, preliminary non-binding indications of interest, definitive agreements, representations and warranties and closing conditions among other M&A process documents.

• Negotiation – position final bid, structure, representations and warranties and closing conditions to the benefit of the Fund.

• Communication - keep senior members of GTG investment team as well as the Investment Committee appraised of deal status, secure buy-in to new transaction opportunities, present to prospective and current Fund investors, when needed.

Required Qualifications, Capabilities and Skills:

• Experience within a top tier / bulge bracket investment bank in either the M&A group, or Transportation Coverage team

• A legal background and/or degree would be preferred, in addition to banking experience

• Demonstrated track record of M&A deal execution and process management

• A highly collaborative and team-oriented individual with exceptional written and verbal communication skills

• Advanced working knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint

• Highly organized, detail-oriented and self-motivated with a strong work ethic

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment across multiple time zones

• Strong, multi-tasking, time management and problem solving skills

Preferred Qualifications, Capabilities and Skills:

• Masters / graduate degree in Business or Law preferred

• Previous experience working with transportation sectors preferred

• Series 7 and Series 63 license holder

• Project finance, private equity, and financial sponsors experience preferred

• Superior analytical skills, detailed knowledge and deep understanding of the deployment of processes and controls across complex multidisciplinary teams

• Familiarity with contractual and financial arrangements and documentation underpinning equity and debt investments

• Must be able to communicate effectively, and build relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders including support functions, investors, banks and intermediaries, due diligence providers, brokers, lawyers, etc.

• Robust knowledge of financial modelling and strong quantitative analytical skills plus accounting

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously across multiple time zones.

• Presentation skills with board level presentation experience

• Extremely high level of attention to detail essential, with an ability to mentor and train junior resources

• Ability to negotiate complex transactions (e.g. joint ventures, syndicate deals) involving equity investments

• Proficient in MS Office applications and working knowledge of databases and reference sources

• Fluency in at least one foreign language (in addition to English) will be viewed favourably, especially French, Spanish, German or Chinese (Mandarin)

• Master’s Degree from a globally-recognised institution.