Senior Associate (Portfolio Strategy and Investments)

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Associate contributes to PASHA Financial Holding's (PFH) core mission by actively shaping the portfolio and leading the execution of capital and transaction decisions. The role operates with a high degree of independence, taking ownership of complex, high-impact projects — particularly large-scale M&A, partnerships, and capital events. It combines strong analytical capability with end-to-end execution responsibility, while also providing quality assurance and methodological guidance to strategic asset teams.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Strategy and Shaping

• Lead in-depth analysis of each asset's strategic role within PFH, including fit, value contribution, and future optionality.

• Develop and refine portfolio models and strategic scenarios that inform portfolio composition and guardrails.

• Conduct benchmarking against leading holding structures and ownership models.

• Independently prepare high-quality materials and recommendations for senior stakeholders, including the CSPO and PFH CEO.

Capital Allocation

• Own and continuously enhance capital allocation frameworks across operating companies, including growth investments, major capex, dividends, and capital buffers.

• Lead scenario modelling and trade-off analysis to inform capital prioritisation decisions.

• Provide clear, insight-driven recommendations and prepare materials for governance forums, ensuring alignment with PFH's strategic objectives.

M&A, Partnerships and Capital Events

• Take a leading role in the execution of complex transactions at the holding level, including opportunity evaluation, valuation, structuring considerations, investment case development, and due diligence oversight.

• Coordinate and challenge external advisors where needed.

• Contribute to IPO readiness and private capital raising efforts, including equity story development and financial model ownership.

• Act as a key quality assurance partner for transactions led by strategic asset teams by critically reviewing materials, ensuring alignment with PFH standards, and providing actionable feedback ahead of investment and steering committees.

• Support the continuous development of PFH methodologies, including valuation frameworks and transaction toolkits.

Investment Underwriting and Board Materials

• Lead the development of robust valuation models, risk-return assessments, and downside scenarios for major investment decisions.

• Prepare Investment Committee and Board materials independently, ensuring clarity, consistency, and decision-readiness with minimal senior-level refinement.

Key Relationships

The Senior Associate works closely with PFH Executive Committee members and employees across PFH functions, as well as OpCo Boards of Directors and OpCo CEOs and their teams. Externally, the role engages with financial advisors and consultants, national and international investors, and commercial institutions and shareholders.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field.

• MSc in Finance or an equivalent professional qualification such as CFA certification.

• 5–8 years of experience in investment banking, M&A advisory, strategy consulting, or corporate development.

• Strong financial modelling and analytical skills.

• Ability to work effectively under ambiguity and tight deadlines.

• Strong written and presentation skills.

• Fluency in English.

Preferred:

• Exposure to the financial services sector.

• Proficiency in Azerbaijani and/or Russian.