Head of Capital Investment at Smart Partners

Business Overview

• We are committed to driving Africa’s economic transformation by providing businesses with the capital, expertise, and strategic support they need to scale.
• Our mission is to unlock the vast potential of Africa through investments, transformation, and ethical partnerships to foster job creation and inclusive economic growth.
• We aim to be Africa's premier investment and advisory platform, bridging the gap between early-stage venture capital (VC) and growth-stage private equity (PE) to support companies from inception to maturity.

Role Overview

• You are an experienced investment professional driven by the growth of entrepreneurial ventures, strategic capital deployment, and the scaling of impactful businesses.
• You believe investment and value creation are key to scaling companies in Africa and creating jobs.

Job Description

• We seek a Head of Capital Investment to spearhead investment efforts in Africa and oversee early-stage venture capital (VC) and growth-focused private equity (PE) investments.
• Your core responsibility will be identifying, investing in, and providing strategic support to high-potential companies, assisting them with fundraising, scaling operations, and expanding strategically.
• You will be central in sourcing, selecting, and mentoring entrepreneurs and executive teams, helping them optimise financial structures, refine business models, and prepare for investment.
• You will collaborate closely with the value creation team, which will handle operational transformation, while you focus on driving investment strategies, developing portfolios, and allocating capital.
• The Head of Capital Investment will be key in defining investment strategy and building a strong network of investors, advisors, and corporate leaders to support early-stage start-ups and mid-market growth businesses.
• You will oversee a diverse portfolio of investments, ensuring that the companies within ecosystem have access to the resources, mentorship, and funding required for sustainable success.
• As the primary face of capital investments, you will engage with institutional investors, private capital networks, and government bodies to develop a thriving investment ecosystem.
• Reporting to the managing partner (s), you will be part of an international team of investment experts who will drive the business across Africa.
• Your ultimate goal will be transforming high-potential businesses into industry leaders by deploying capital effectively and executing strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute investment strategy, balancing early-stage VC investments with growth-stage PE deals.
• Identify, evaluate, and execute investment opportunities in companies with strong potential for scale and impact.
• Advise and mentor entrepreneurs and executive teams, offering guidance on fundraising strategies, financial structuring, business operations, and market expansion.
• Build and maintain a robust network of investors, corporate partners, and advisors, including angel investors, VC firms, PE funds, and institutional capital providers.
• Serve as a thought leader and key representative of strengthening its presence within the investment and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Lead deal origination, term sheet structuring, investment negotiations, and exit planning for portfolio companies.
• Collaborate with internal teams to drive investment pipeline development, ecosystem partnerships, and investor relations.
• Foster relationships with public sector institutions and regulatory bodies to support business-friendly investment policies.
• Support portfolio companies in mergers, acquisitions, and private equity-backed expansion strategies.
• Engage with limited partners (LPs) and institutional investors, facilitating co-investment opportunities, fundraising initiatives, and syndicated deal-making.

Candidate Profile

• 10+ years of experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, or entrepreneurship.
• Proven success in sourcing, structuring, and managing investments across VC and PE landscapes.
• Experience as a founder, investor, or senior executive—preferably with hands-on experience scaling businesses.
• Fundraising, financial modelling, term sheet structuring, and exit strategies expertise.
• Strong understanding of start-up ecosystems (VC) and later-stage investment models (PE).
• Experience guiding companies through capital raising, valuation negotiations, and investor relations.
• Established connections with LPs, venture capitalists, and private equity investors.
• Deep knowledge of Africa’s investment ecosystem and a track record of executing deals in emerging markets.
• Exceptional negotiation, stakeholder management, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to engage with C-suite executives, institutional investors, and government bodies.
• Lagos-based with a willingness to travel globally for investment and partnership opportunities.

Core Competencies & Fit:

• Strong leadership, mentoring, and ecosystem-building abilities.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a strategic, results-driven approach.
• Passionate about fostering Africa’s business landscape through capital and expertise.
• Adaptable and comfortable in fast-paced, high-stakes investment environments.