The Opportunity

Maven Partners is partnering exclusively with a major Australian super fund to appoint a Senior Manager into its Sydney valuations team. In this role, you will oversee a group responsible for valuing unlisted assets on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly timetable.

As part of a function that has expanded significantly in recent years across Australia, the UK and the US, you will play a lead role in Sydney to keep building out the fund’s valuation capability while overseeing a portfolio of approximately $35b and rising across Infrastructure, Private Equity and Private Credit.

Responsibilities

Lead a team handling valuations of unlisted assets, completed in-house or by external providers, on annual, semi-annual or quarterly cycles. Tasks include collating information, coordinating stakeholder discussions, reviewing draft independent valuation reports or internal analyses, performing financial model checks, verifying inputs, assessing the reasonableness of key assumptions and approaches, running valuation cross-checks and documenting the basis for final values.

Manage valuation risk by ensuring conclusions are well supported, with robust records including drafting memos and reports to evidence outcomes.

Drive the design, refinement and rollout of suitable valuation controls and documentation for ongoing review of unlisted investments. Track performance of unlisted assets and their markets to identify and escalate potential out-of-cycle valuations.

Oversee the composition of the fund’s valuer panel, including coordinating RFPs for new assets or rotation, engaging firms and negotiating terms.

Proactively engage with Asset Class teams, Portfolio Management and adjacent groups on valuation topics.

Contribute to the Valuation team’s global strategy and build-out, identifying issues and recommending practical solutions.

Prepare and contribute to papers for committees and stakeholders such as Finance and Audit Committee, the Board and Portfolio teams.

Support audit processes, including resolving matters arising from audit observations related to valuations.

Assist with the fund’s regulatory obligations and the evolution of related responsibilities.

Address questions from internal stakeholders, including asset teams and committees, and from external parties such as auditors and regulators regarding valuation processes.

Ensure the fund’s Valuation Policy and Standards remain current and appropriate given investment activity and industry developments.

Develop thought leadership materials for use across the organisation.

Provide education across the organisation on valuation concepts and insights.

Participate in deal teams on new investments where relevant.

Requirements

10+ years of valuation experience gained within a large accounting firm, a boutique valuation practice or an institutional or corporate investing environment.

Strong technical valuation capability across varied sectors, including experience preparing reports, analysing information and forming conclusions.

Self-starter who thrives in a team setting with concurrent project management demands.

Experience running projects with multiple stakeholders and third-party providers.

Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

High level of enthusiasm with a willingness to contribute to a growing function.

Desirable

An inquisitive mindset with lateral thinking ability.

Advanced financial modelling proficiency, particularly for valuation work.

Strong presentation skills and confidence using Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

Familiarity with S&P Capital IQ and Bloomberg.

Maven Partners

Maven Partners is a specialist financial advisory, accounting and taxation recruitment services business. The partners have a wealth of experience in executive search and interim management, servicing clients in Asia Pacific markets from our offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

At Maven Partners, we are holders and seekers of knowledge. In our case this refers to knowledge gained through experience, dedication, and perseverance. Knowledge is Maven's central value.

To discuss this opportunity further please email [email protected] to arrange a call and/or meeting with Jack.