Investment Manager

Chris Hayes Associates; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Hybrid working

Job summary

Chris Hayes Associates supports a large international software group in recruiting an Investment Manager / M&A Manager.

The role offers hybrid and location-flexible working, with preferred Midlands, Cambridgeshire or Southern UK locations, and potential to appoint at Associate Director or junior Director level depending on experience. You will work across the full investment lifecycle and interact with senior leaders.

Qualifications

• ACA / ACCA qualification or equivalent, ideally gained within a top-tier accounting firm.
• Strong financial analysis, modelling and valuation skills, with advanced Excel capability.
• Excellent academic credentials and a strong track record of performance within your current or previous organisation.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A genuine interest in, or curiosity about, the technology and software sector would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Engaging directly with shareholders, management teams and financial advisors at prospective acquisition targets.
• Evaluating the strategic, commercial and financial quality of potential software acquisitions.
• Reviewing, analysing and presenting information received from prospective targets.
• Building sophisticated valuation and financial models to assess potential transactions and determine appropriate pricing and deal structures.
• Leading or contributing to financial and operational due diligence, working alongside specialist teams covering HR, R&D, tax and legal.
• Playing an active role throughout the execution and management of M&A transactions.
• Preparing detailed investment memorandums and presenting the investment rationale, key risks and proposed post-acquisition strategy.
• Supporting the integration of newly acquired businesses and monitoring post-closing performance against expectations.
• Reporting performance and key insights to Group and Portfolio leadership.
• Identifying opportunities to improve the performance of acquired businesses and communicating recommendations to senior management.
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, entrepreneurs, advisors and other transaction professionals.
• Travelling nationally and internationally when required.

Skills

Financial analysis

Financial modelling

Valuation

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

ACA / ACCA or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

Investment Manager / M&A Manager

In-House M&A | International Software Group | Excellent Career Prospects

We are working with a highly successful international software group to recruit an Investment Manager / M&A Manager, with the potential to appoint at Associate Director or junior Director level depending on experience.

The business forms part of a large, international listed software group that acquires, manages and grows specialist software companies across multiple markets. With an ambitious acquisition strategy and significant plans for continued growth, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Corporate Finance, M&A or Investment professional to move into a high-impact in-house role.

As a key member of the M&A and Investment team, you will have exposure to the full investment lifecycle, from identifying and assessing acquisition opportunities through to transaction execution and integration.

You will work closely with an entrepreneurial, high-energy investment team and senior leaders across the wider organisation, providing significant exposure to senior decision-makers and the opportunity to make a tangible commercial impact.

The role is hybrid and location-flexible. A Midlands, Cambridgeshire or Southern UK location would be preferred, but this is not a pre-requisite.

The Opportunity

You will play a central role in evaluating and executing acquisitions of vertical-market software businesses, working across a broad range of M&A and investment activities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Engaging directly with shareholders, management teams and financial advisors at prospective acquisition targets.
• Evaluating the strategic, commercial and financial quality of potential software acquisitions.
• Reviewing, analysing and presenting information received from prospective targets.
• Building sophisticated valuation and financial models to assess potential transactions and determine appropriate pricing and deal structures.
• Leading or contributing to financial and operational due diligence, working alongside specialist teams covering areas such as HR, R&D, tax and legal.
• Playing an active role throughout the execution and management of M&A transactions.
• Preparing detailed investment memorandums and presenting the investment rationale, key risks and proposed post-acquisition strategy.
• Supporting the integration of newly acquired businesses and monitoring post-closing performance against expectations.
• Reporting performance and key insights to Group and Portfolio leadership.
• Identifying opportunities to improve the performance of acquired businesses and communicating recommendations to senior management.
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, entrepreneurs, advisors and other transaction professionals.
• Travelling nationally and internationally when required.

The Person

We are looking for an ambitious, commercially minded M&A / Corporate Finance professional who is keen to develop their career within a high-growth international investment environment.

You are likely to have:

• ACA / ACCA qualification or equivalent, ideally gained within a top-tier accounting firm, or experience within Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, M&A or Strategy Consulting.
• Strong financial analysis, modelling and valuation skills, with advanced Excel capability.
• Experience of analysing businesses and translating complex or imperfect data into clear, commercially focused conclusions.
• Excellent academic credentials and a strong track record of performance within your current or previous organisation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, combined with exceptional attention to detail.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment where information may initially be incomplete or ambiguous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence and professionalism to engage with senior executives, shareholders, lawyers, accountants and investment bankers.
• A high level of ambition and the desire to build a long-term career within an international M&A and investment organisation.
• A genuine interest in, or curiosity about, the technology and software sector would be advantageous.

Why This Opportunity?

This is a particularly exciting opportunity for someone looking to take their Corporate Finance / M&A career in-house and gain significantly broader exposure to the investment process.

You will join a highly successful international software group with an ambitious acquisition strategy, providing the opportunity to work on high-quality transactions, interact with senior stakeholders and play a meaningful role in the growth of the organisation.

There is also significant scope for career development within both the M&A / Investment team and the wider international group, making this an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to become a future investment leader.

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a strong performance-related bonus, together with outstanding long-term career prospects.