Corporate Development Manager

Ipsum; North Stainmore; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Bank holidays

Group Pension Plan

Career development

Mental health support

Cycle to Work

Discount club

Life assurance

Long service recognition

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Ipsum is seeking a driven Corporate Development Manager to help execute our ambitious growth strategy across the UK and Ireland. You will work closely with the Corporate Development Director, CFO and leadership team to identify acquisition opportunities and shape buy-and-build initiatives.

The role offers high visibility with senior stakeholders and investors, with potential to influence long‑term value as Ipsum positions for a future exit and ongoing expansion.

Qualifications

• Proven experience originating and developing acquisition opportunities through relationships with founders, vendors and advisers.
• Strong financial and commercial analysis skills gained in corporate development, investment banking or private equity.
• Confident engaging with business owners and senior stakeholders to identify high‑quality opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess and originate acquisition opportunities aligned with Ipsum’s growth objectives.
• Build relationships with founders, shareholders and advisers to generate deal flow.
• Support Buy & Build strategy across target markets and sectors.
• Prepare investment cases and assist due diligence and integration planning.

Skills

Acquisition origination

Financial analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Corporate development

Investment banking

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

What’s In It For You…

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job — you’re starting a career with real support behind it.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 5 additional holidays
• Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP and Mental health support & counselling services
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more !
• Life assurance cover
• Long service recognition
• Enhanced Maternity Pay

Location: North West

Employment type: Full Time

Working Hours: Monday to Friday

What’s In It For You…

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job — you’re starting a career with real support behind it.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 5 additional holidays
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP and Mental health support & counselling services
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more !
• Life assurance cover
• Long service recognition
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Paid volunteering opportunities in your community

About The Role…

We’re looking for a driven and commercially focused Corporate Development Manager to help deliver Ipsum’s ambitious growth strategy. Working closely with the Corporate Development Director, CFO and senior leadership team, you’ll identify and originate acquisition opportunities across the UK and Ireland (and, in the future, possibly international markets) playing a key role in developing our Buy & Build growth strategy.

This is a high-impact role with significant exposure to senior Group stakeholders and our financial investors, IK Partners. As Ipsum prepares for a potential exit, you'll help maximise business value, support strategic growth initiatives and contribute to ensuring the business is positioned for long‑term success.

As a Corporate Development Manager you will…

• Identify, assess and originate acquisition opportunities that align with Ipsum’s strategic growth objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with founders, shareholders, advisers and industry contacts to generate high‑quality deal flow.
• Support the development and execution of the company’s Buy & Build strategy across target markets and sectors.
• Conduct initial commercial assessments and prepare investment cases for potential acquisition opportunities.
• Work closely with the Corporate Development Director, CFO and senior stakeholders throughout the M&A lifecycle.
• Support due diligence, transaction execution and integration planning activities where required.
• Help drive strategic initiatives that enhance business performance and maximise shareholder value.
• Assist with exit readiness activities, ensuring the business is well positioned from an operational, financial and strategic perspective.
• Collaborate with investors, advisers and internal stakeholders to support the successful delivery of corporate development and value creation objectives.

About You…

You’re a commercially minded corporate development professional with a strong track record of originating acquisition opportunities and building relationships with founders, vendors and advisers. Working closely with senior stakeholders and the Executive Leadership Team, you’ll help identify and evaluate strategic opportunities while supporting wider value creation and exit activities. You will bring strong financial and commercial acumen, ideally as a qualified accountant or from an investment banking, private equity or corporate development background.

• Proven experience originating and developing acquisition opportunities through relationships with founders, vendors and advisers.
• Strong financial and commercial analysis skills, ideally gained within corporate development, investment banking, private equity or as a qualified accountant.
• Confident engaging with business owners and senior stakeholders, with the ability to build credibility and identify high‑quality opportunities.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, strategic growth initiatives and transaction processes.
• Exposure to business disposals, exit processes or sponsor‑backed transactions would be highly advantageous.

Our commitment to Equal Opportunities...

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