As a Director, Financial Services M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) Advisory, you will play a pivotal role in advising clients and executing strategic transactions, with a particular focus on mid-market Wealth and Insurance markets. You will collaborate with a fellow Director, who leads our specialist lending M&A offering, to strengthen our overall Financial Services M&A offering. You will lead and oversee the full M&A lifecycle from initial analysis and due diligence to deal structuring, negotiation and closing. This role requires a seasoned M&A professional with a deep market knowledge, strong financial acumen, and the ability to build and manage relationships with key stakeholders throughout complex transactions. Key Accountabilities:
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align M&A activities with overall business strategy.
- Identify and evaluate M&A opportunities that align with the company's growth objectives.
- Build and maintain relationships with key industry players, investment bankers, and other relevant parties.
- Conduct thorough financial analysis, market research, and due diligence on potential targets.
- Assess risks and opportunities associated with each transaction and provide recommendations.
- Develop and recommend deal structures that align with strategic objectives and financial considerations.
- Work closely with legal and financial teams to ensure compliance and successful deal execution.
- Lead negotiations with target companies, ensuring favourable terms and conditions for the organization.
- Interface with internal stakeholders, including executives and department heads, to ensure alignment on M&A strategies and objectives.
- Communicate effectively with external stakeholders, such as target companies, investment bankers, and legal advisors.
- Leverage internal expertise across debt advisory, financial diligence, value creation and post-merger integration to enhance deal execution and value realisation.
- Continuously monitor industry trends, regulatory developments and competitor activity to proactively identify risks and opportunities.
Requirements
- ACA qualified with a minimum 10 year's experience within professional services or similar.
- 5 years of direct Financial Services M&A transactions experience as the lead advisor.
- Extensive execution experience on end-to-end deals (closed deal experience).
- Proven sell-side transaction experience within the Wealth and Insurance sectors.
- Strong experience of leading discussions with senior client executives and target management.
- Demonstrated experience of managing and mentoring team members.
- Review financial models and database systems.
- Experience creating and supporting the delivery of client pitches.
- Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
- Assist in initiating and extending group marketing and client development effort.
- The ability to thrive in a dynamic, client-centric environment.
- A strategic mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Strong work ethic, organisational skills and ability to multitask.
- Ability to grow a business and act entrepreneurially.
- Holds a well-developed network professional network & relationships, clients and target professionals.
Benefits
- Annual leave 26 days (in addition to Public/Bank Holidays)
- Private medical insurance
- Life Assurance (4x salary)
- Group Income Protection
- Holiday buy (up to 10 days via salary sacrifice)
- Workplace pension scheme
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Dental Insurance (optional, BUPA)
- Critical Illness Insurance (optional)