Corporate Development Associate Director

Overview

We are retained with a high-growth, PE-backed Financial Services business operating across the UK and Europe, which has completed a significant number of acquisitions and continues to pursue an active inorganic growth strategy.

The business is seeking an experienced M&A professional to join its in-house team and support the end-to-end execution of acquisitions across its core markets.

This is a high-visibility role offering exposure to senior executives and investors, with meaningful responsibility across live transactions and broader strategic initiatives.

The Role

You will join a well-established in-house M&A function responsible for sourcing, executing and integrating acquisitions.

Key responsibilities

• Leading valuation, structuring, negotiation, due diligence and execution of transactions
• Building and reviewing financial models to assess value creation, synergies, risks, pricing and consideration structures
• Coordinating multi-stream due diligence processes (commercial, financial, legal, compliance, HR, IT, etc.) and translating findings into deal terms and mitigants
• Supporting negotiation of transaction documentation, including NDAs, SPAs/APAs, TSAs, employment and shareholder agreements (with external advisors)
• Preparing Board and Investment Committee papers, offer documentation and regulatory submissions where required
• Contributing to origination efforts, building relationships with founders, intermediaries and advisors
• Supporting post-deal integration planning and execution
• Mentoring and supporting junior team members
• Developing a deep understanding of the group’s strategy, operating model and target markets

Candidate Profile

Experience

• Minimum 4+ years’ experience executing M&A transactions, either:
• In-house within a corporate development / M&A team, or
• From an advisory background (Investment Banking / M&A advisory / Transaction Services at Senior Manager / Assistant Director level or above)
• Strong grounding in corporate finance, valuation and financial modelling
• Accounting qualification (ACA / ACCA / CA), CFA or similar is preferred but not essential
• Sector experience in financial services is advantageous but not a prerequisite

Attributes & Skills

• Commercial, analytical and intellectually curious
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-deal-volume M&A environment
• Detail-oriented with high standards of output quality
• Proactive, self-directed and confident taking ownership
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to engage credibly with senior stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with the ability to mentor others
• Organised, resilient and adaptable to changing priorities
• Willingness to travel occasionally within the UK and Europe

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