Investment Associate

ROLE PURPOSE: The Investment Associate will support the origination, execution and ongoing monitoring of investments in companies located predominantly across the East Midlands. The Mercia MEIF II Fund is an early-stage investment fund that typically invests up to £5,000,000 in businesses operating across Health and Life Sciences, Software and AI, Consumer, and Deep Technology. The role-holder will build strong relationships and a deep professional network across the region to identify high-quality investment opportunities aligned with the fund's strategy. The Investment Associate will also support the end-to-end investment process, including market research, commercial and financial due diligence, investment analysis, transaction execution and the monitoring of portfolio companies. LOCATION: East Midlands (Nottinghamshire / Leicestershire / Buckinghamshire (Milton Keynes)) with frequent travel across the East Midlands Region RESPONSIBILITIES: • Conducts market and sector research to identify attractive investment opportunities, presents evidence-based findings and makes well-supported recommendations. • Builds and maintains a strong regional network of advisers, founders, investors, universities and other ecosystem partners, becoming an active and credible member of the East Midlands start-up and scale-up community. • Develops a strong understanding of the UK venture capital landscape, including the role of private capital in supporting business growth and generating investment returns. • Supports the assessment of prospective investments through financial analysis, modelling, valuation work and scenario analysis, with appropriate guidance. • Supports commercial, financial and operational due diligence, identifying key value drivers, risks, mitigations and areas requiring further investigation. • Contributes to the preparation of clear, concise and well-evidenced investment papers and supporting materials for Investment Committee consideration. • Monitors the operational and financial performance of portfolio companies against agreed plans, milestones and budgets. • Applies strong analytical judgement to understand performance variances, emerging risks and opportunities, and communicates findings clearly to the investment team. • Undertakes sector, valuation and M&A research to inform exit planning, value-creation initiatives and portfolio decision-making. • Maintains accurate, complete and up-to-date records within the Group CRM and other relevant systems. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: • Strong analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to assess business models, markets, financial performance and investment risks. • A strong record of academic achievement; a relevant degree or equivalent professional experience is strongly preferred. • Experience of working with, advising or assessing businesses in deep technology, hardware or life sciences is desirable. • Experience of financial analysis, financial modelling and valuation is required. • Knowledge of venture capital, private equity, corporate finance or M&A markets is desirable. • Experience of supporting the preparation of investment papers and, with appropriate support, presenting well-researched proposals to an Investment Committee is preferred. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to build effective relationships with founders, advisers and colleagues. • Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgement and a collaborative approach to working within a high-performing team. • Experience of working in a regulated environment, with an understanding of the importance and potential consequences of non-compliance with legislative, statutory and regulatory requirements. • Advanced Excel skills are essential, together with a good working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications. • Alignment with Mercia's core values: Growth Focused, Responsive, Knowledgeable and Trusted. • A full driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to Mercia offices, portfolio companies and other stakeholder locations. • The right to work in the UK. CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE: Energy & Enthusiasm: Brings their best effort to work each day, approaches colleagues and opportunities positively, and contributes energy to the wider team. Teamwork & Support: Collaborates openly, shares knowledge, challenges ideas constructively and supports agreed team decisions Ambition & Growth: Sets high standards, looks for ways to improve and embraces stretching assignments as opportunities to learn and develop