Senior Valuation Manager / Director
Korn Ferry is working our client who is seeking a senior valuation professional with 7-10 years of experience to help strengthen and work with/alongside SVPs/VPs on the internal valuation function. This individual will play a key role in managing complex valuation processes for illiquid assets, providing subject matter expertise across the organization, and overseeing both internal staff and external service providers. The ideal candidate is confident, hands-on, and comfortable stepping into a leadership role within a high-performing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Valuation Leadership & Governance
- Lead and oversee the valuation of complex financial instruments, including private equity, real assets, credit, and structured products.
- Contribute to the development, implementation, and ongoing management of valuation policies, standards, and methodologies.
- Ensure consistency, accuracy, and appropriateness of valuation assumptions, models, and practices across portfolios.
- Maintain thorough documentation of valuation policies, rationale, methodologies, overrides, and exceptions.
Fair Value & Compliance
- Define and implement fair value hierarchy approaches in line with applicable accounting standards (e.g., ASC 820).
- Oversee the classification and governance of Level 2 and Level 3 investments.
- Prepare valuation analyses and recommendations for internal valuation committees.
Portfolio & Reporting
- Lead monthly and quarterly valuation processes, including preparation of valuation memos and committee materials.
- Formulate impairment and write-off analyses as required.
- Supervise periodic third?party valuation reviews and assurance processes.
- Support fund forecasting and FP&A activities related to valuation and asset performance.
Stakeholder Management
- Act as a key valuation partner to front-office teams, portfolio managers, investment teams (hedge fund and private equity), operations, legal, risk, and finance.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for auditors on valuation-related matters, including assumptions, methodologies, and inputs.
- Participate in meetings with senior leadership and, when required, external stakeholders or investors.
People & Vendor Management
- Manage and mentor a team of valuation professionals (typically 2-5).
- Provide functional leadership, coaching, and performance oversight for related staff.
- Oversee relationships with external valuation firms, accounting firms, and managed service providers.
Position Requirements
Technical Skills & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (advanced degree a plus).
- 7-10 years of experience in valuation, corporate finance, or related fields, with at least 3+ years of direct valuation experience.
- Background from accounting firms, consulting firms, banks, investment managers, or leading valuation providers.
- Experience valuing illiquid assets, including private equity, real estate, credit, and complex structured investments.
- Strong working knowledge of fair value accounting standards (e.g., ASC 820), including complex ownership structures, joint ventures, and waterfalls.
- Proficiency with income- and market-based valuation methodologies and relevant valuation software tools.
- Professional certification such as CFA, CPA, ASA, or ABV preferred.
Soft Skills & Leadership Qualities
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex valuation topics to senior leadership and regulators.
- Proven ability to lead teams, influence senior stakeholders, and operate with confidence and credibility.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
- Collaborative mindset with experience working across functions and geographies.
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
