Associate Private Investments, Principal Investing – Agriculture recruitment

In order to build a diversified portfolio of CPP assets, the CPP Investment Board invests in public equities, private equities, real estate, inflation-linked bonds, infrastructure and fixed income instruments. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in London and Hong Kong, the CPP Investment Board is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm's length from governments. For more information about the CPP Investment Board, please visit www.cppib.ca

Role Summary

We are presently recruiting for an Associate in the Private Investments, Principal Investing department specifically for our Agriculture and Farmland Team based in Toronto. Reporting to the Senior Principal – Head of Agriculture, the Associate will play a key role in sourcing, making and managing Agriculture investments around the world.  The Associate will assist Principals and Senior Principals in evaluating potential agriculture private equity and farmland investment opportunities, conducting research, developing recommendations, participating in the negotiation and execution of investments and monitoring and managing investments.  This is a particularly exciting role for the right candidate, who will form part of the original nucleus team, with opportunity to help develop, shape and grow the strategy over time. 

Role-Specific Accountabilities

Analyze Investment Opportunities

Review:

• Research, analyze and evaluate a variety of farmland portfolios and agriculture companies

• Build complex dynamic financial models to analyze investment opportunities (including testing assumptions and sensitivities)

• Perform due diligence on companies and farmland portfolios including past investment performance, quality of management teams, investment merits and risks, expected returns, regulatory environment, industry dynamics and other relevant factors

• Review 3rd party due diligence reports (legal, accounting, industry strategic reviews, environmental, etc.)

• Perform valuation analysis of companies and farms, including DCF, precedent transactions and comparable company/asset analysis

• Meet with company management and review past performance, strategy, outlook, industry issues, and other relevant topics as required

• Apply “Total Portfolio Approach” as it applies to investments, including PME and analysis

Recommend:

• Under the supervision of a Principal or Senior Principal, create investment recommendations outlining potential investment opportunities

• Assist in preparing and presenting investment recommendations to the Private Investments department and the Investment Department Decision Committee

Execute Investments

• Help to interactively develop solutions to investment structures in a relatively immature sector

• Manage discreet aspects of the execution of farmland purchases and agriculture company investments

• Liaise with investment partners (lead General Partner, co-investors) and advisors (financial, legal, etc.)

• Assist in negotiating and executing agreements and other transaction-related legal documentation

Monitor Investments

• Coordinate with CPPIB Finance Operations group with respect to monitoring ongoing investments

• Monitor ongoing financial performance of farmland portfolios and agriculture companies

• Assist in performing and organizing valuation reviews for the farmland portfolios and agriculture companies

• Assist in building and leveraging relationships with portfolio company management teams, private equity partners and relevant management service providers

• Assist in monitoring potential exit alternatives (including public market conditions and potential strategic partners).

Build the Team

• Support the Senior team members to formulate and implement an evolving strategy

• Participate in and contribute to weekly departmental meetings and investment recommendation meetings

• Share information by coordinating and entering information into the central network for both existing and prospective investments

• Assist in the training and development of Private Investments department colleagues

• Assist in recruiting activities including liaising with universities, networking, sourcing candidates and interviewing prospective hires, as required

• Manage teams of supporting Analysts to plan and execute relevant work streams 

• Assist in the mentoring and development of Analysts within the team

• Other relevant duties and projects as assigned

If you possess the following, we’d like to hear from you:

• Background/experience in the Agriculture Sector

• 3 - 5+ years experience in investment banking, private equity or other relevant investment profession

• International experience is considered a strong asset

• MBA, LLB or equivalent postgraduate qualification is considered an asset

• CFA, CBV or CA designation is considered an asset

• Experience in the Real Estate Sector would also be considered an advantage 

• Strong research, financial modeling, analytical and valuation skills

• Experience in conducting due diligence

• Experience in the negotiation process

• Professionalism and integrity

• Strong interpersonal skills and business relationship skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

• Portuguese language skills are considered an asset

• Flexibility, adaptability and initiative

• Good judgement and “sense of the deal”

• Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure

• Team player who enjoys a high performance culture

• Willingness to travel

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity and to build a career in an innovative and dynamic investment organization, please hit APPLY ONLINE below submit your resume online

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only candidates
Selected for an interview will be contacted.
CPP Investment Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer.