Head of Corporate Development

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Corporate Development to spearhead M&A strategies and drive growth through acquisitions. This pivotal role involves managing the entire deal cycle, from origination to post-merger integration, ensuring seamless communication with stakeholders and maintaining a robust acquisition pipeline. The ideal candidate will possess substantial buy-side M&A experience, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to foster relationships with internal and external partners. Join a dynamic team dedicated to creating value and steering business growth through strategic acquisitions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in buy-side M&A, preferably in services.
• Proven track record in driving M&A cycle from origination to integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead full cycle M&A from origination to execution and integration.
• Develop robust processes to close transactions quickly while mitigating risks.

Skills

M&A Strategy

Financial Modelling

Negotiation Skills

Team Management

Relationship Building

Job description

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A private equity backed services business requires a Head of Corporate Development to lead the continued development of the M&A strategy and team, and to play a key role in steering businesses growth over the investment cycle.

This Board level appointment will be responsible for playing a hand-on role in driving all aspects of the deal cycle from origination to post-merger integration and synergy realisation. The Head of Corporate Development will ultimately be responsible for delivering growth via acquisitions, developing the existing team and M&A processes and controls, as well as working closely with the private equity sponsor, ensuring clear communication on M&A pipeline and KPIs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on full cycle M&A from origination through to execution and subsequent integration / synergy realisation.
• Drive origination efforts, as well as act as conduit between the M&A team and divisional heads/MD’s to ensure a continual pipeline of value creative acquisitions.
• Maintain strong relationships with brokers, advisors, and industry contacts to continually drive deals pipeline.
• Work closely with the M&A team to ensure they deliver on the M&A plan, to upskill and ensure succession planning within the team, and to ultimately create a best-in-class M&A function.
• Ensure the M&A strategy is clearly communicated to all internal stakeholders.
• Manage the relationship with vendors from initial reach out and communication, through to integration and beyond.
• Develop robust process and controls to ensure transactions can be closed at pace, whilst mitigating risk and ensuring all acquisitions are value creative, extensively diligence, and assessed for strategic fit.
• Lead on all negotiations, the completion of SPAs, deal structures, etc.
• Manage all due diligence workstreams, utilising advisors for larger deals, and handling smaller less material transactions in-house.
• Develop robust investment cases, valuations, business plans, and ensure all targets are fully commercially assessed for fit.
• Plan and oversee the full integration and synergy realisation of acquired businesses, continually developing the integration playbook and strategy.
• Work with the integration function to ensure a range of value creation activities take place, post-acquisitions (cost and revenue focused).
• Provide regular updates to the Board and private equity backers on deal pipeline, integration milestones, and other key deal metrics.
• Act as advisor to the Board and senior management on all M&A matters, as well as advise on and drive a range of broader strategic initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience in buy-side M&A, likely with prior corporate development experience from the services sector.
• High EQ with the ability to build lasting relationships with targets and advisors, but to also communicate effectively internally and ensure M&A is as non-disruptive as possible to daily operations.
• Natural gravitas with the ability to support and face off with an range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of the operational and commercial dynamics of a services business.
• Proven track record of driving all aspects of the M&A cycle.
• A truly hands-on operator, with a keenness to be close to the detail.
• Excellent team management, development, and motivational skills.
• Prior experience working with private equity, either from a PE portfolio or potentially a former investor.
• Strong financial modelling, valuation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to navigate complex transactions with pace and precision.