Trading Business Development and M&A Specialist Job Snapshot - Role: Trading Business Development and M&A Specialist - Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Oil and Energy - Function: Mergers & Acquisitions - Experience: 7-9 years in M&A, corporate finance, investment banking, transaction advisory, strategy consulting or business development - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site
Position Overview
ADNOC Group is seeking an experienced professional to support business development, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities across its Trading and Downstream businesses. The role provides financial, analytical and commercial support throughout the investment lifecycle, from market intelligence and opportunity screening to valuation, due diligence, transaction execution and post-deal monitoring. Working within deal teams under the guidance of senior colleagues, the successful candidate will assess potential investments against ADNOC's strategic priorities, investment criteria and risk appetite. The position also contributes to evaluating organic and inorganic growth opportunities across gas, refining, chemicals, fuels distribution, marketing, commodity trading and shipping.
Key Accountabilities
- Market Intelligence and Opportunity Identification - Conduct market research and competitive intelligence assessments to identify potential acquisition targets, investment opportunities, emerging business models and developments in global trading and downstream markets.
- Monitor competitor activities, market movements and industry developments, preparing concise intelligence reports to support investment decisions.
- Screen business development and investment opportunities against strategic alignment, commercial attractiveness and established investment thresholds.
- Maintain accurate opportunity records and progress updates within the M&A deal pipeline tracker.
- Analyse supply and demand fundamentals, market economics and margin drivers across gas, refining, chemicals, fuels and commodity trading.
- Develop market-based assumptions to support commercial evaluations, investment screening and financial analysis.
Financial Modelling and Investment Valuation
- Build, maintain and review financial models supporting M&A transactions, joint ventures, partnerships and investment opportunities.
- Perform discounted cash flow (DCF) valuations, comparable company assessments, scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis.
- Calculate and interpret investment return indicators, including Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV) and payback periods.
- Assess commercial assumptions, financial performance drivers and potential investment risks.
- Support the evaluation of transaction structures, financing alternatives and commercial arrangements where relevant.
- Prepare financial and commercial analysis to inform investment recommendations and management decisions.
Business Case Development and Due Diligence
- Prepare investment business case components covering market opportunities, commercial value propositions, financial economics, risks and implementation considerations.
- Coordinate due diligence information requests and maintain organized documentation throughout the evaluation process.
- Support virtual data room administration, question-and-answer processes and information exchanges with relevant stakeholders.
- Track deliverables from financial, legal, technical and tax advisors.
- Consolidate due diligence findings, highlighting material risks, value drivers and issues requiring further assessment.
- Ensure financial assumptions and supporting analysis remain consistent across investment evaluation materials.
M&A Transaction and Deal Execution Support
- Assist deal teams with transaction execution activities, commercial negotiations and investment structuring.
- Prepare negotiation briefing materials, commercial comparisons and supporting financial assessments.
- Review and compare proposed term sheets to identify key commercial provisions and differences.
- Provide analytical inputs to transaction documentation in coordination with relevant internal teams and external advisors.
- Support the evaluation of potential partnerships, joint ventures and strategic investment structures.
- Coordinate transaction-related information to facilitate effective decision-making throughout the deal lifecycle.
Investment Governance and Executive Reporting
- Prepare investment committee submissions, executive briefings and Board presentation materials.
- Develop clear, accurate and decision-ready reports outlining investment opportunities, commercial assumptions, valuation results and principal risks.
- Ensure governance documentation is complete, consistent and aligned with applicable internal approval requirements.
- Prepare timely updates on deal pipeline activity, transaction progress and investment evaluations.
- Provide supporting information for senior management reviews and governance committee discussions.
Stakeholder Engagement and Business Coordination
- Work closely with the Vice President and Managers within Trading Business Development (M&A).
- Coordinate with AGT, AT and other ADNOC Trading entities to obtain commercial and operational inputs.
- Engage with DM&T Strategy, Downstream Business Lines, Finance and Investment, Legal, Commercial and Tax teams.
- Align financial assumptions, market assessments and transaction information across relevant functions.
- Liaise with external legal, financial, technical and tax advisors, consultants and market data providers.
- Support engagement with transaction counterparties and potential business partners when required.
Post-Transaction Monitoring and Business Planning
- Support post-deal integration planning and coordination activities for completed transactions.
- Monitor realized investment value and track performance against anticipated transaction synergies.
- Contribute analytical and commercial inputs to divisional business plans, annual budgets and deal pipeline objectives.
- Prepare management reports covering investment activities, transaction status and relevant performance measures.
- Deliver agreed individual performance objectives in accordance with the Company Performance Management System.
Risk Management, Governance and Continuous Improvement
- Identify, assess and report transaction-related risks in accordance with the Corporate Integrated Risk Management System.
- Maintain strict confidentiality when handling commercially sensitive investment and transaction information.
- Comply with the ADNOC Code of Conduct, applicable corporate policies and established transaction procedures.
- Apply approved M&A tools, valuation templates, financial models and governance standards.
- Recommend improvements to transaction evaluation processes, analytical methodologies and reporting practices.
- Support the adoption of data analytics and AI-enabled tools to improve market screening, financial analysis and investment assessment efficiency.
- Share technical knowledge and contribute to the professional development of analysts and UAE National graduates.
- Comply with applicable Health, Safety and Environment policies, legislation and the ADNOC Code of Practice.
Qualifications and Experience
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor 's degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related discipline.
- Master 's degree in a relevant field is preferred.
Professional Experience
- 7-9 years of relevant experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, investment banking, transaction advisory, strategy consulting or business development.
- Direct involvement in transaction execution or investment evaluation activities.
- Experience within the energy, oil and gas, downstream or commodity trading sectors is preferred.
- Exposure to structured finance, principal investing or business development within a commodity trading house is highly relevant.
- Experience supporting the analysis of transaction structures and financing arrangements is particularly valuable.
Professional Certifications
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification or progress toward certification.
- ACA or ACCA qualification.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
- Recognized certification in financial modelling or mergers and acquisitions.
Knowledge and Professional Skills
- Strong financial modelling capabilities using Microsoft Excel.
- Sound understanding of investment valuation methodologies, including DCF, comparable valuations and sensitivity analysis.
- Working knowledge of M&A due diligence, transaction processes and investment evaluation.
- Ability to interpret market economics, commercial assumptions and financial performance indicators.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Strong written communication, presentation and financial reporting skills.
- Ability to prepare accurate, concise and executive-ready investment materials.
- Effective coordination and communication with multidisciplinary stakeholders and external advisors.
- Understanding of the commercial and financial considerations affecting trading and downstream investment opportunities.
Core Technical Competencies
- Market Analysis and Business Development - Market Economics, Supply and Demand - Level 3
- Market Intelligence - Level 5
- Opportunity Identification - Level 5
- Deal Origination - Level 5
- Deal Maturation - Level 5
- Transaction Execution and Stakeholder Engagement - Commercial Negotiations (Future Skill) - Level 5
- Mergers and Acquisitions Execution - Level 5
- Strategic Relations - Level 5
- Stakeholder Management - Level 5
- Sustainability and Strategic Assessment - Sustainability Management - Level 3
- Carbon Management - Level 3
- Life Cycle Analysis - Level 3
- Net Zero Strategy - Level 3
- Climate Change Strategy Development and Updates - Level 3
The successful candidate will bring strong commercial judgment, financial modelling expertise and a structured approach to investment evaluation. The position requires the ability to translate complex market and financial information into practical recommendations while supporting ADNOC Group's trading and downstream investment objectives through disciplined analysis, effective transaction coordination and sound governance.