Woolworths

Head of Investments

• Full time, Permanent opportunity
• Exciting opportunity to help shape the future of retail within a pioneering collaborative global VC fund

W23 Global is a pioneering global venture capital fund, bringing together five of the world’s leading grocery retailers (Woolworths, Ahold Delhaize, Tesco, Empire and Shoprite Group) and seeking to invest in the world’s leading start-ups that are transforming retail and addressing key sustainability challenges.

We're seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Investments to join the W23 Global leadership team. 

As a member of the leadership team, you will be the driver of our investment engine, from curating a world-class pipeline of opportunities to leading complex negotiations and executions. You will be responsible for driving the investment process, including deal sourcing and screening, rigorous deal assessment, and final deal execution - helping W23 Global build a portfolio that will deliver tangible returns. 

What you’ll do

We are seeking a leader who combines profound market insight, exceptional deal-making capabilities, and the proven ability to lead a team of experienced investment professionals. Your responsibilities will include:

• Deal Sourcing & Origination: Drive a proactive, thesis-driven strategy to source a pipeline of world-class investment opportunities.
• Screening & Assessment: Lead the critical evaluation and rigorous analysis of potential investments, quickly identifying and prioritizing the most promising ventures.
• Due Diligence: Command comprehensive, multi-faceted due diligence processes, assessing everything from market viability and commercial traction to financial and technical risks.
• Deal Negotiation & Structuring: Spearhead deal negotiation and masterfully structure deals to create optimal terms and position the portfolio for success.
• Execution & Closing: Drive the final phases of the investment process with precision, ensuring efficient and successful transaction closing.

What you’ll bring

• 15+ years of progressive experience in investment banking, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, or similar transaction-focused roles
• Proven expertise in end-to-end investment management, including deal sourcing, market assessment, commercial assessment, due diligence, complex term negotiation, and deal execution
• Demonstrated ability to drive deal flow generation through a strong network and proactive outreach strategies.
• Exceptional deal structuring and negotiation mastery, with a track record of achieving optimal commercial outcomes
• Deep financial acumen and analytical rigor, with the ability to critically assess deals and synthesize complex commercial and financial data, risks and opportunities.
• Tertiary qualified in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related highly quantitative discipline.

Please note this is an employment opportunity with W23 Global