Senior Private Equity Valuation Specialist

About the role

A Senior Private Equity Valuation Specialist is sought in Dubai to oversee the valuation of private equity investments, portfolio companies and other illiquid financial assets. The role develops and reviews valuation models, assesses financial performance and market conditions, and ensures valuations are well supported, consistent and compliant with accounting standards and internal policies. It works closely with investment teams, fund managers, finance professionals, external valuation advisers and auditors.

Key responsibilities

• Perform and review valuations of private equity investments, portfolio companies, minority interests, buyout and growth equity holdings.
• Apply valuation approaches such as DCF, comparable company analysis and precedent transaction analysis.
• Develop, maintain and review financial models with revenue forecasts, operating margins, cash flows, capital expenditure, discount rates and terminal values.
• Analyse portfolio company financial statements, business plans, debt structures and growth assumptions to assess fair value.
• Evaluate market conditions, sector trends, comparable multiples, transaction benchmarks and macroeconomic developments.
• Ensure valuations are supported by documented assumptions and judgments in line with accounting standards and internal policies.
• Independently challenge valuation models, assumptions, methodology, discount rates, liquidity considerations and adjustments.
• Monitor valuation movements across reporting periods and investigate significant changes.
• Evaluate complex capital structures, preferred equity, convertible instruments, shareholder loans, earn-outs and contingent consideration.
• Provide valuation inputs for quarterly and annual fund reporting, financial statements, investor reports and management presentations.
• Maintain valuation policies, model documentation, approval records and sensitivity analyses, and support external auditors and compliance teams.
• Conduct scenario analysis and sensitivity testing, and improve models, reporting templates and review controls.
• Guide junior valuation professionals and collaborate with fund accounting, risk management and legal advisers.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related discipline; a master's is advantageous.
• Significant experience in private equity valuation, transaction advisory, investment banking, valuation consulting or fund valuation.
• Strong understanding of private equity structures, portfolio company analysis and fair value measurement.
• Experience valuing illiquid investments, minority holdings and complex capital structures.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment and manage multiple assignments and deadlines.

Required skills

• DCF modeling, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions and sensitivity analysis.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and interpretation of complex financial statements.
• Familiarity with IFRS 13 and fair value measurement principles; knowledge of IPEV Valuation Guidelines is an advantage.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and experience with financial databases, valuation tools and investment reporting systems.
• CFA, ACA, ACCA or CPA preferred.