Mergers and Acquisitions Manager

Opals Group; Stockport; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK infrastructure company is seeking an experienced M&A Manager to join their Group M&A team. This role involves identifying acquisition opportunities, managing transactions, and building relationships with advisors in the private equity context. The ideal candidate will possess a recognised accounting qualification and previous M&A experience, demonstrating strong communication and strategic skills.

Qualifications

• Prior M&A experience (in-house, practice, advisory or corporate finance).
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate potential acquisition opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with potential targets.
• Support transactions from preparation to execution.

Skills

Deal Sourcing & Market Insight

Strong communication skills

Relationship-building skills

Project management

Creativity and strategic mindset

Education

Recognised accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Job description

OCU is a market leading infrastructure, energy transition and engineering services provider operating at the heart of the UK’s fast-growing utilities and clean-energy sectors. From renewable energy and battery storage to telecoms, water, regulated power and more!

As we continue this exciting journey, we are looking for a talented and driven M&A Manager to join our Group M&A team at a pivotal moment in our growth story.

Following our acquisition by Triton Partners one of Europe’s most respected private equity firms OCU is accelerating through a period of exceptional transformation and ongoing acquisitions, as we continue this exciting journey, we are looking for a talented and driven experienced M&A Manager to join our Group M&A team at a pivotal moment in our growth story.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Group M&A Director, you will play a central role in shaping OCU’s future identifying opportunities, driving transactions end-to-end, and working closely with operating divisions and external partners. You will gain exposure to all facets of M&A within a dynamic PE backed environment, playing a key role in high‑impact, strategic decisions.

What You’ll Do

• Deal Sourcing & Market Insight: Conduct in‑depth research into the UK market to identify and evaluate potential acquisition opportunities aligned to OCU’s strategic ambitions.
• Target Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with potential targets, acting with professionalism, discretion and commercial acuity to open doors and progress conversations.
• Advisor Relationships: Strengthen O with advisors, accountancy firms, investment banks, and corporate finance houses, positioning us as a preferred bidder.
• Deal Execution Support: Own the administration of transactions—from preparing presentations and coordinating virtual data rooms to supporting diligence workstreams and project timelines.
• Management Reporting: Provide clear, concise updates to senior leadership, articulating complex deal structures and financial information with confidence.
• Innovative Contribution: Bring fresh ideas, creative problem‑solving and commercial awareness to improve our processes and outcomes.
• Integrity & Confidentiality: Uphold the highest standards in managing sensitive information throughout every stage of the deal cycle.

What You’ll Bring

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA).
• Prior M&A experience (in‑house, practice, advisory or corporate finance).
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills, with the confidence to engage at all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• A strategic mindset, with the creativity and curiosity to challenge conventional thinking.

Driven by values, powered by inclusion.

At OCU, our values guide everything we do: integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation and one company united. They shape how we work with our clients, communities, and each other. We believe that inclusion is more than a principle — it’s the foundation of our success. By embracing equity and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels they belong.

Together, we build stronger teams, deliver better outcomes, and grow in ways that reflect the communities we serve. If you want to be part of a culture where values matter and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do apply now and help us shape the future together.

If you are invited to progress in the recruitment process, will you require any reasonable adjustments to support you? Please let us know so we can ensure the process is accessible and fair for you. Any information you share will be treated confidentially and will only be used to support you during the recruitment process.