Portfolio Manager

As a Portfolio Manager, you will be responsible for managing and overseeing a portfolio of investments. Your role will involve strategic planning, performance monitoring, and providing guidance to portfolio companies to enhance their value. You will work closely with the investment team to identify, evaluate, and execute investment opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Value Creation: Identify, analyse, scope and prioritise opportunities as part of a Value Creation Plan within portfolio companies consisting of operational enhancements, strategic initiatives.Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the Waterland investment team and portfolio company management to develop, contribute to and monitor the implementation and successful execution of the Value Creation Plan.
• Project Management: Design, staff, track and run/steer multiple value creation projects in parallel, working closely with both portfolio company management and Waterland investment team.
• Performance Monitoring: Assess the financial and operational performance of portfolio companies to identify areas for improvement and growth.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including company executives, management at all levels of the organization, board members, and external advisors.
• Waterland Capabilities: Actively contribute to Waterland’s capability building, by sharing knowledge and expertise within the broader European Waterland network.The Portfolio Manager will report to the Partners of Waterland Private Equity, based in Antwerp.

This role is highly varied and involves working in a supportive, dynamic team. The projects you could work on offer continuous learning and support you in growing your future career with us. You will be in regular contact with existing portfolio companies as well as with new investment opportunities, requiring travel on a national and sometimes international basis, but we are always mindful to work these around your personal commitments.

We are seeking candidates (m/f/x) who can meet the following requirements:

• University education, with excellent results, preferably complemented by a Master’s degree;
• 7 to 10 years (maximum) of experience in a highly performing environment, combining (i) management consulting, with (ii) a business experience in a corporate setting (start-up, SME or enterprise) – if you do have earlier experience in private equity, corporate finance or investment bank, we would love to hear about it;
• Proficiency in numerical analysis: you are skilled at analysing complex problems and distilling insights, consistently linking quantitative findings to real-world business contexts and operational drivers;
• You are a pragmatic self-starter, able to act independently and be entrepreneurial, while involving stakeholders at key moments;
• You communicate clearly and effectively, and can adapt your message and communication style to the audience addressed;
• You are an excellent strategic thinker and problem-solver;
• You are humble, and are a team player;
• You are intrinsically motivated by the impact you have on your environment: you are ambitious and driven, and want to make companies better;
• You demonstrate strong leadership and influencing skills; you are able to design realistic and implementable projects, and know how to mobilize an organization;
• You demonstrate a strong organizational acumen, and are able to interact with all levels of an organization;
• Profound knowledge of Dutch and English. French is a plus.

As regards your personality:

A down-to-earth and open team player, having good communication skills, decisiveness, a creative yet pragmatic attitude, initiative-driven, curious and passionate.

A high degree of professional ethics and integrity.

Well-organized, accurate, pro-active, detail-oriented, ability to multi-task and work to tight deadlines.

The role will be based in our Antwerp office, working with the Belgian Waterland investment team and portfolio companies. The role is part of Waterland’s broader European Performance Improvement Team, offering an ability to exchange experience and knowledge with colleagues in other offices.

We commit ourselves to encouraging true team spirit and creating an inclusive and dynamic working environment in which each team member can pursue their personal development.

The roles requires travel on a national and sometimes international basis, but we are always mindful to work these around your personal commitments. Work-life integration and hybrid working are important to us.

You want to know more?

Interested candidates are requested to apply online.