Valuations Director - M&A and Transaction Advisory Services

Our Financial Advisory delivery model includes the entire transaction life-cycle enabling engagement opportunities throughout the lifetime of a deal. It includes originating and providing corporate finance advice as a lead financial advisor on M&A transactions, providing valuations services on a range of transactional matters, due diligence advice to help our clients identify risks associated with deals and offer solutions that can help to mitigate such risks, act as an independent financial adviser on IPOs as well as on a range of other corporate transactions including, financial modelling, fundraising and debt advisory/restructuring.

The Director is responsible for supporting in all phases of project and engagement management for multiple clients in a wide variety of industries. Responsibilities include planning, directing, and completing projects and services in valuations and developing and managing staff. The Director works closely with all team members and plays a key role in client management, practice development and business development for an assigned group of clients.

What you’ll be doing:

• Plan, execute, direct and complete valuations for financial and corporate strategic buyers from a variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, non-profit, high-tech, real estate, and financial services.
• Supervise and oversee all aspects of valuation engagements throughout the transaction process, and coordinate the work performed by multiple service lines.
• Oversee and apply business valuation approaches and methods to a variety of tangible assets, including equity valuations, option analyses, and purchase price allocations. Complex valuations of share grants, ESOPs, hedges, and other financial instruments may be required from time to time.
• Deliver clear, succinct, and robust valuation reports that are fit for purpose and accessible to non-technical readers. Act as the quality control champion and constantly upgrade delivery standards to reflect best practices.
• Manage engagements throughout the transaction lifecycle and coordinate other Grant Thornton capabilities by leveraging the expertise of other service lines, cross-functional teams, and international colleagues as needed.
• Manage client expectations concerning timing, progress, deliverables, deadlines, and lead change efforts effectively.
• Support and develop the team capabilities from a technical and client management perspective.
• Identifying and understanding key drivers of a business and potential deal breakers (financial and non-financial).
• Sharing experience and knowledge and developing other team members through the valuation process.
• Ability to project manage effectively internally and externally to ensure effective communication with all relevant stakeholders.
• Manage business development activities, such as proposals, account teams, whitepapers, conferences, and/or other thought leadership material.
• Deliver marketing and business development projects and work with the senior members of the Financial Advisory team in business development and origination initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships across the UAE and help execute transactions whether across the UAE or cross border deals.
• Where required, help direct and lead on broader Financial Advisory engagements as lead financial adviser, where required, and developing broader corporate finance capabilities beyond valuation assignments.
• Maintain an entrepreneurial mindset to help with the growth of the team and the Firm.
• Work closely with engagement teams and partners to promptly identify and resolve client problems or issues.
• Manage, develop, train, coach and mentor staff on projects and assess performance for engagement and year-end reviews.
• Motivate others to perform at maximum efficiency without sacrificing quality of the services delivered.
• Interview and select potential talent to support growth of the team.

Who we're looking for:

• Significant valuation experience gained ideally within professional services as well as project management skills. Experience with complex valuations will be considered a plus.
• Proficiency in a number of valuation techniques including discounted cash flow, multiples analysis, options and other derivatives pricing, intangible asset valuation.
• Prior experience in the region (UAE, KSA, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait) would be considered a plus.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to understand the internal and external drivers of value for a given asset.
• Demonstrates a proven thorough level of abilities and success, as both an individual contributor and team member, with identifying and addressing client needs: actively leading client discussions and meetings; and, managing engagements, including preparing concise, accurate documents and maintaining project economics while maintaining flexibility for unanticipated issues.
• Proven people leadership skills and commitment to developing teams.
• Strong English communication skills (business writing and speaking), Arabic is advantageous.
• Strong analytical and excel modelling skills.
• A flexible working style and interpersonal skills (lead teams, mentoring and developing staff, confident interacting with clients and management).
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Managing fee estimates and budgets for client assignments.
• Lead and inspire the valuation team and work closely with the partner to help maintain and enhance the team culture to ensure we operate at optimal levels.