Sapphire Business Advisors Ltd

Position: Senior Consultant - Full-Time and Permanent

Applications deadline:  30 JULY 2023

About Us: 

Sapphire Business Advisors Limited (“SBA”) is the newly formed affiliate company of Sapphire Capital Partners LLP, a multi-award winning FCA regulated firm. (www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk)    

SBA will be the consultancy arm of Sapphire Capital which focussed on non-regulated business.  SBA specialises in supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and early stage companies with a wide variety of services, in the effort to become “investor ready”.  The Company’s main service offerings are:

(1) SEIS/EIS advance assurance and consulting services

(2) Strategic business planning

(3) Strategic valuations

About the Role:  

Our clients come to Sapphire because of our excellent reputation in the sector. We are looking for passionate and driven individuals, knowledgeable about the venture capital world and familiar with the EIS and SEIS programmes sponsored by the UK Government.  As this is a new venture for the business, there is ample opportunity to grow and expand with the roles. 

We are looking to hire a Senior Financial Consultant to lead this business line by providing business support services for the areas listed above as well as seeking out opportunities to build partnerships within the industry.  The individual must be self-motivated, energetic and entrepreneurial as the role requires the professional to hold a wide range of responsibilities.  S/he will be involved with all aspects of the business, from sales and business development, client relations, marketing, management reporting, and successful delivery of the projects.  

This opportunity will allow the successful candidate to develop and grow their technical, business and managerial skill sets. Furthermore, the individual will be provided with opportunities to gain professional qualifications such as the EIS Diploma and the CFA UK’s Investment Management Certificate.  

More specifically the role will require the individual to assist with:

• Preparation and completion of SEIS and EIS advance assurance applications to HMRC.
• Preparation and completion of SEIS 1 and EIS 1 certificates.
• Compilation of business plans and other strategic documents.
• Build financial models for forecasting purposes.
• Perform strategic valuations for companies seeking to obtain an independent review.
• Respond to clients and stakeholder inquiries.
• Organise and host technical seminars and conferences.
• Present at industry events.
• Regularly write blogs and provide updates to the directors of the company. 
• Lead the business’ sales and marketing efforts, as well as participate in thought leadership initiatives with HMRC and the EISA.
• Assist in shaping and delivering digitisation projects aimed at enhancing client user experience.
• Provide ad hoc technical advisory support to Sapphire Capital Partners LLP.

The candidate can be based in either Belfast or London.

Qualification Requirements:

The successful candidate should have:

• A genuine interest in early stage investing (venture capital, private equity).
• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, finance, or accounting. We will consider other degree disciplines; however your application should demonstrate why you believe you have the necessary skill set. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word skills.

Accountancy accreditations, or working towards Chartered Accountancy accreditations are preferred but not necessary. 

If you lack skill in any of those areas listed, but believe that you may be interested in developing these skills then we would be open to talking to you about how you believe that you can add value to our team.  Above all, we require the right entrepreneurial attitude as well as a keenness to learn.

As we operate from a home office environment, you must be a highly motivated individual that can work independently but also collaboratively in a team environment. This is a hybrid position, and you will be expected to be present in the Belfast office periodically. For the first few weeks/months you will be expected to commute to the Belfast office. 

Compensation:

• Salary TBD depending upon experience.
• 28 days annual leave.
• Flexible working.
• Private healthcare insurance (optional).
• DC Pension plan (optional).
• Cycle to work scheme (optional).

Sapphire is committed to facilitating a diverse and inclusive working environment.  We actively work towards attracting and retaining the best talent and believe strongly in high quality on the job training. We promote equal opportunities for growth and development as we believe that diverse teams are the ones who can optimally deliver for our clients and customers.

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 565716). The content is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to invest. SEIS and EIS tax reliefs depend on individual circumstances and may change. The value of investments may go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.  Investment outcomes can differ substantially, potentially resulting in the loss of all your capital invested. Shares in early-stage companies are illiquid: you may be unable to sell your holding for several years, if at all. Investors should not rely on this article as a basis for investment decisions and must consider the illiquid and high-risk nature of early-stage investing. No warranty as to future outcome is implied nor should one be inferred. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change. Investments of this type are generally not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service if the underlying companies fail.