Head of International Capital

Overview

Knight Frank takes a partnership approach to ensure collaboration throughout the MENA region and globally. We believe successful partnerships are built on trust and integrity. Our global office network has a successful Global Capital Advisory and a new exclusive alliance with Berkadia, a leading capital advisory specialist in the US owned by Berkshire Hathaway and Jefferies. Together, we transact $53bn in new debt deals, and $46bn in new equity deals each year. The Global Capital Markets team coordinates, advises and represents investors in their cross-border investment strategies.

This role has the responsibility for the development of key client relationships in the Middle East to understand both buy and sell side client priorities globally.

Responsibilities

Engaging with Outbound Capital from the Middle East

• Engage with institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds and family offices that invest globally about their objectives, buying requirements and planned portfolio allocation on a regular basis.
• Refer outbound Middle Eastern investors sourced through your own contacts, Middle East Private Office, Capital Markets and intermediaries, to the relevant Knight Frank teams in the UK, Europe, US and Asia Pacific.
• Use on the ground market intelligence to identify Middle East investor target lists for Knight Frank mandated opportunities, including on market asset sales, off market placements and equity raising opportunities.
• Participate in pitches to showcase our access to Middle East capital and help secure asset sale and equity raising mandates.
• Work on the placement process for major assets, portfolios, debt opportunities or equity raising mandates.
• Conduct investor presentations to potential buyers in the Middle East and provide feedback to relevant sales teams on investor interest.
• Support Middle East investors investing in overseas opportunities through the due diligence process and closure of the transaction.

Global Client Engagement

• Engage with the top 30 middle eastern based global clients to increase Knight Frank’s brand profile, help understand their portfolios and build personal relationships with the key decision makers.
• Service these clients globally through acquisitions, disposals, or capital advisory to achieve their portfolio objectives.
• Enhance Knight Frank’s profile with these key clients and refer work to other service lines.

Major Asset Sales within the Middle East

• Keep abreast of key policies, legislation, trends and developments in the regional real estate market in order to provide an informed opinion to clients and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain goodwill, confidentiality, and trust with prospective and existing clients at all times in order to foster the professional image of the Partnership.
• Attend and support major local market pitches.
• Facilitate introductions to the Capital Markets team for local market investors where a weak relationship or no relationship is already held.
• Contribute to local market report and specialist publications including Destination Dubai and Active Capital.
• Jointly coordinate travel schedules with local capital market team to ensure best coverage across the Gulf
• Other tasks as required.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a similar role, ideally within the Middle East real estate sector and with an existing network of professional contacts and a proven track record of deal making with evidence of transactions completed.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong sales and negotiation skills.
• Strong team player with the ability to build relationships.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Ability to work flexible schedules to ensure successful and timely delivery of projects.
• Understanding of regional business culture and regulations.
• The ability to understand and make use of computers and information technology (Knight Frank internal systems).
• Certifications and Licenses: MRICS desired but not essential.
• Software: Microsoft Office programs to an advanced level.
• Language skills: Fluency in English, written and verbal. Fluency in Arabic or other languages is advantageous.
• Travel: Flexible attitude towards travelling.