Associate Director - Cyber M&A - Private Equity Focus

Aon Corporation; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Aon is seeking an Associate Director in Cyber M&A to lead cyber due diligence, risk assessments and remediation programmes across PE transactions. You will partner with Cyber Solutions specialists across London and EMEA to deliver advisory services throughout the deal lifecycle.

The role involves translating cyber risks into commercial and financial implications for clients and sponsors, including due diligence, integrations, and 100-day planning.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of core cyber security domains including IAM, data security, incident response, vulnerability management, network security, business continuity and monitoring.
• Experience assessing and evidencing controls against recognised frameworks such as NIST CSF, CIS Controls, ISO 27001, OWASP SAMM, NIST AI RMF and related standards.
• Ability to translate technical cyber risks into commercial, financial and investment implications for clients and collaborators.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver cyber due diligence, post-deal reviews, remediation programmes and cyber risk assessments across a range of M&A transactions.
• Partner with high-performing Cyber Solutions specialists across London and EMEA to provide best-in-class advisory services.
• Support the full Cyber M&A sales cycle, including client pitches, proposals, onboarding and relationship development.
• Advise senior collaborators on cyber strategy for due diligence, integrations, carve-outs, incident response and wider transaction-related activities.
• Present cyber risk insights and recommendations to private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and corporate clients, while helping enhance and scale our delivery model.

Skills

Cyber security domains

IAM

Data security

Incident response

Vulnerability management

Network security

Business continuity

Monitoring

NIST CSF

CIS Controls

ISO 27001

OWASP SAMM

NIST AI RMF

GDPR

NIS2

DORA

FCA/PRA expectations

EU Cyber Resilience Act

EU AI Act

Business impact translation

M&A experience

Proposal development

Job description

Associate Director – Cyber M&A - Private Equity

Can you bring deep cyber technical knowledge with the ability to understand and articulate cyber security risks and trends, including the common threat vectors that are impacting financial sponsors?

Do you have client-facing skills where you can articulate technical findings and potential financial impact to private equity investors across the lifecycle of M&A?

If so, then we would love to hear from you in connection with these excellent new opportunities based within Aon’s multifaceted M&A and Transaction Solutions (AMATS) practice, situated within our flagship London office.

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organisation, we are united through trust as one inclusive team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

What the day will look like

In this wide and varied role your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and deliver cyber due diligence, post-deal reviews, remediation programmes and cyber risk assessments across a range of M&A transactions.
• Partner with high-performing Cyber Solutions specialists across London and EMEA to provide best-in-class advisory services.
• Support the full Cyber M&A sales cycle, including client pitches, proposals, onboarding and relationship development.
• Advise senior collaborators on cyber strategy for due diligence, integrations, carve-outs, incident response and wider transaction-related activities.
• Present cyber risk insights and recommendations to private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and corporate clients, while helping enhance and scale our delivery model.

How this opportunity is different

This is an opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing and most innovative teams within Aon Transaction Advisory. Working at the heart of high-profile M&A activity, you'll advise clients on complex cyber, technology and digital risks throughout the transaction lifecycle, from pre-deal due diligence to post-close integration. As Cyber M&A continues to be a major growth driver, this is a unique opportunity for a high-reaching Associate Director to play a key role in shaping the next phase of the team's expansion while working alongside market-leading specialists across cyber, risk, insurance, climate and human capital disciplines.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

We do not expect any one candidate to bring every domain below. We are looking for genuine depth in one or more areas, with the curiosity and commercial instinct to work across the rest.

• Strong understanding of core cyber security domains including IAM, data security, incident response, vulnerability management, network security, business continuity and monitoring.
• Experience assessing and evidencing controls against recognised frameworks such as NIST CSF, CIS Controls, ISO 27001, OWASP SAMM, NIST AI RMF and related standards.
• Ability to prioritise findings based on business impact, exploitability, remediation effort and financial exposure.
• Expertise in one or more specialist areas including AI security, cloud security (Azure, AWS, GCP), network security, OT/ICS environments, or SDLC/DevSecOps security.
• Knowledge of key regulatory and governance requirements including GDPR, NIS2, DORA, FCA/PRA expectations, Operational Resilience, EU Cyber Resilience Act and EU AI Act.
• Ability to translate technical cyber risks into commercial, financial and investment implications for clients and collaborators.
• Experience working in M&A, private equity, transaction advisory, portfolio company or corporate deal environments.
• Proven capability to develop and deliver client proposals, presentations and business development activities.
• Experience supporting multiple stages of the deal lifecycle, including cyber due diligence, post-close reviews, 100-day planning, portfolio programmes, carve-outs, integrations and exit readiness.
• Additional experience with scripting and automation tools such as Python, PowerShell or Bash would be advantageous.

How we support our colleagues

In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage an inclusive workforce. Plus, our agile environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance, ensuring you can be your best self at Aon. Furthermore, all colleagues enjoy two “Global Wellbeing Days” each year, encouraging you to take time to focus on yourself. We offer a variety of working style solutions for our colleagues as well.

Our continuous learning culture inspires and equips you to learn, share and grow, helping you achieve your fullest potential. As a result, at Aon, you are more connected, more relevant, and more valued.

Aon values an innovative and inclusive workplace where all colleagues feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Aon is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Aon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran, marital, domestic partner status, or other legally protected status.

We welcome applications from all and provide individuals with disabilities with reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application and interview process, and to perform essential job functions once onboard. If you would like to learn more about the reasonable accommodations we provide, email [e-mail].