Head of Strategic Transactions

TAL Services Limited; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

TAL Services Limited in Sydney seeks a seasoned M&A leader to drive end-to-end transaction execution, modelling and due diligence, partnering with executives, regulators and advisers. You will develop strategy, manage risks and present clear insights to senior management.

The role requires mentoring a small team and delivering robust analyses that support strategic decisions and post-merger integration oversight.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Life Insurance financial metrics and capital requirements.
• Knowledge of Australian regulatory environment (APRA, ASIC, ACCC, FIRB).
• Proven track record leading junior professionals through end-to-end transactions.
• Strong stakeholder management with C-suite, regulators and advisers.
• Strong commercial judgement balancing ambition with disciplined risk management.

Responsibilities

• Build, mentor and develop a small team of professionals; originate value ideas and execute.
• Develop financial metrics and risks for inorganic opportunities and general initiatives.
• Lead end-to-end M&A: target ID, rationale, modelling, due diligence, structuring, negotiation, integration.
• Prepare Board papers, investment committee submissions and executive briefings.
• Manage relationships with external advisers (banks, legal, accountants, actuaries).

Skills

Life Insurance metrics

Regulatory awareness

Stakeholder management

Valuation & modelling

Deal negotiation

Strategic judgement

Job description

Job Description

Reporting to the General Manager Enterprise Solutions, M&A and Strategic Projects, you will lead the team across all stages of a transaction's lifecycle, working closely with internal functional partners, business group leaders, counterparties and external advisers. You will oversee the end‑to‑end financial due diligence process, including directing modelling, valuation and analysis completed by junior team members, and ensuring robust, high‑quality outputs that support sound decision‑making. Partnering with operational teams, you will lead transaction execution and due diligence activities to validate the business case, identify key risks and issues, and clearly articulate areas of uncertainty, potential outcomes and risk exposure. You will work collaboratively with the business and deal team to develop and implement appropriate mitigation strategies, ensuring transaction structuring and documentation remain aligned to the commercial rationale. You will also prepare clear, succinct materials for senior management, the Board and shareholders, including presentation packs and bid documentation, translating complex analysis into practical insights and implications.

In this role you will:

• Build, mentor and develop a small team of high-performing professionals Originate value enhancing strategies, and ideas, document, syndicate, gain approval and execute.
• Develop financial metrics and risks for inorganic acquisition opportunities, divestiture opportunities or general commercial initiatives
• Lead the end-to-end M&A process, including target identification, strategic rationale development, financial modelling, due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, and post-merger integration oversight
• Prepare Board papers, investment committee submissions, and executive briefings to support transaction decision-making.
• Manage relationships with external advisers, including investment banks, legal counsel, accountants, and actuarial consultants.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Life Insurance financial metrics and Capital requirements and a knowledge of the Australian regulatory environment, including APRA, ASIC, ACCC, and FIRB.
• A proven track record of leading of junior professionals throughout the end-to-end execution of a transaction Deep understanding of valuation methodologies, financial modelling, deal structuring, and negotiation.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage credibly with C-suite executives, regulators, and external advisers and a strong ability to communicate and to articulate complex concepts
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance strategic ambition with disciplined risk management