M&A Director - Business Services

Warner Scott Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Warner Scott Recruitment is seeking a Director to join its Corporate Finance practice as a sector specialist for Business Services. You will originate and own deal execution from initial strategic review to completion, guiding team members and leveraging the firm's global reach.

You will bring ACA/CFA/MBA or equivalent and a track record across buy- and sell-side mandates, with strong modelling, communication, and leadership skills to deliver results.

Qualifications

• Significant M&A advisory experience in top firms or private equity.
• Proven track record of sourcing buy- and sell-side mandates.
• Strong numerical, analytical and strategic thinking with hands-on financial modelling.
• Deal execution experience from origination to completion.
• Gravitas and communication skills to command respect at all levels.
• Proven ability to build and develop high-calibre teams.
• Driven to deliver results in a growing sector team.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Personable style that builds trust with colleagues and clients.

Responsibilities

• Originate deal flow: Build a strong pipeline of buy- and sell-side mandates from senior contacts.
• Own execution: Stay engaged through the process to ensure rigorous, efficient delivery.
• Drive business development: Grow the firm's regional presence and share go-to-market strategy.
• Leverage the wider firm: Use senior relationships beyond M&A advisory.
• Develop the team: Coach and motivate colleagues, balancing origination with delivery.
• Build external credibility: Foster relationships with intermediaries and advisers.
• Shape the business: Play a central role in growth and strategic decisions.

Skills

ACA/CFA/MBA

M&A advisory experience

Mandate generation

Financial modelling

Deal execution

Communication skills

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Education

ACAs/CFA/MBA or equivalent

Job description

Our client's Corporate Finance practice has an industry-leading reputation for forward-thinking, objective advice, and deal-closing results to match. Its Corporate Financiers have advised on some of the most critical and sensitive equity and debt transactions for the world's largest corporations, financial institutions and governments.

Recognised as the leading mid-market M&A adviser in the UK, Europe and globally, the firm is riding strong revenue growth and investing in the talent to sustain it. We're now looking for a Director to join a growing, ambitious team as its Business Services sector specialist, guiding clients from initial strategic review through to the successful completion of a sale or acquisition.

You'll be joining a team built on:

• Senior, trusted relationships across the mid-market, global companies, new strategic entrants, financial investors and leading entrepreneurs
• An enviable set of credentials spanning every major service line
• Genuine sector depth across the wider business

What You'll Be Doing

• Originate deal flow: Drawing on your network of senior contacts to build a strong pipeline of buy- and sell-side mandates
• Own execution: Staying fully engaged throughout every process to ensure rigorous, efficient delivery
• Drive business development: Strengthening the firm's presence regionally and sharing go-to-market strategy across the wider business
• Leverage the wider firm: Harnessing the reach and strength of senior relationships beyond M&A advisory
• Develop the team: Coaching and motivating experienced colleagues, balancing your origination focus with building a more delivery-focused capability
• Build external credibility: Forging strong working relationships with intermediaries and other advisers
• Shape the business: Playing a central role in the key decisions driving the team's continued growth and success

What You'll Bring

• A strong academic and technical foundation (ACA, CFA, MBA or equivalent)
• Significant M&A advisory experience, gained within an investment bank, Big 4 firm, private equity house, M&A boutique or corporate development function
• A demonstrable track record of generating competitive buy- and sell-side mandates
• Strong numerical, analytical and strategic thinking skills, backed by hands-on financial modelling experience
• Deal execution experience across the full transaction cycle, from origination to completion
• The gravitas and communication skills to command respect at every level, internally and externally
• Proven success building, motivating and developing high-calibre teams
• Genuine drive to deliver results and make a real impact within a growing sector team
• A sharp eye for detail and the discipline to deliver quality work against tight deadlines
• A personable style that builds trust quickly with colleagues and clients alike

Why This Role

This is a rare chance to help shape a business with real growth ambitions: one investing in deep sector expertise and top-tier execution to strengthen its position as a market leader. You'll have the platform, brand and global reach of a world-leading professional services firm, plus the autonomy to build a specialist practice that's genuinely your own.