Head of Mergers and Acquisitions

Privatal; Hamburg; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Privatal is searching for a Head of M&A/Corporate Development to lead buy-and-build activities for a private equity-backed firm across Northern and Eastern Germany. You will partner with senior leadership to shape strategy and own acquisitions from first contact to completion.

The role requires native German, deep M&A experience, and a track record of managing end-to-end transactions in PE-backed environments.

Qualifications

• Native-level German with several years of M&A experience and end-to-end transaction ownership.
• Experience in a private equity-backed portfolio company, including buy-and-build and multi-site environments.
• Background in corporate development, private equity, investment banking, corporate finance or transaction services.
• Sector experience in accounting, advisory, consultancy, IT services, healthcare, dental or other people-led business services.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leadership to shape and execute the M&A strategy across the region.
• Identify, screen and prioritise acquisition targets across relevant service lines.
• Originate opportunities through founder outreach, adviser networks and structured pipeline development.
• Build trusted relationships with business owners and a high-quality acquisition pipeline.
• Lead transactions from initial engagement through signing and completion.
• Own valuation, commercial negotiations, deal structuring and execution.
• Coordinate financial, legal, tax, commercial and operational due diligence.
• Prepare and present investment papers and recommendations to senior leadership and the private equity investor.
• Support post-close handover and contribute to value creation alongside management.

Skills

M&A leadership

End-to-end transactions

Private equity experience

Valuation & negotiation

Deal execution

Job description

Privatal is a Pan-European specialist headhunting firm placing interim and permanent talent across CFO/finance, value creation & strategy, and transformation into private equity-backed portfolio companies and funds. Unlike generalist firms, each Privatal consultant combines deep private equity expertise with a dedicated functional focus—enabling exceptional speed and quality in delivery

The Opportunity

Privatal is currently working exclusively and is retained by a private equity fund in their search for a new Head of M&A/Corporate Development professional for their buy-and-build strategy. The company has over 700M in revenues, a multi-sided organisation, and is now entering a new phase of growth to get beyond the 2.5 bn revenue mark.

I am supporting a private equity-backed European professional services group in appointing an M&A Director covering Northern and Eastern Germany. The group is expanding its German M&A team to accelerate an established buy-and-build strategy. This role offers direct access to senior leadership and the opportunity to take ownership of acquisitions from first contact through completion.

• Partner with senior leadership to shape and execute the M&A strategy across your region.
• Identify, screen and prioritise acquisition targets across relevant service lines.
• Originate opportunities through direct founder outreach, adviser networks and structured pipeline development.
• Build trusted relationships with business owners and a high-quality acquisition pipeline.
• Lead transactions from initial engagement through signing and completion.
• Own valuation, commercial negotiations, deal structuring and execution.
• Coordinate financial, legal, tax, commercial and operational due diligence.
• Prepare and present investment papers and recommendations to senior leadership and the private equity investor.
• Support post-close handover and contribute to value creation alongside management.

Your Profile

• Native-level German and several years of M&A experience, with demonstrated ownership of end-to-end transactions.
• Experience within a private equity-backed portfolio company, including buy-and-build and multi-site environments.
• A background in corporate development, private equity, investment banking, corporate finance or transaction services—ideally combining advisory and in-house acquisition experience.
• Relevant sector experience in accounting, advisory, consultancy, IT services, healthcare, dental or other people-led business services.
• The ability to run multiple transactions independently while contributing to a growing team.
• Strong financial analysis, valuation, commercial judgement and negotiation skills.
• A hands-on, pragmatic approach, with the confidence to build founder relationships and take ownership.
• Discretion, integrity and professionalism.

This is an opportunity to help shape a growing German platform with an investor committed to buy-and-build. Expect significant responsibility, a steep learning curve and the opportunity to participate in the value you help create.

Only successful candidates will be contacted based on the investor's set of requirements.