Strategy and M&A Analyst

nxzen; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment firm in the UK is seeking a professional with 3–6 years’ experience in accountancy or M&A advisory to join their dynamic team. The role involves sourcing opportunities, running diligence streams, and preparing investment memos. Candidates should possess strong financial analysis and modeling skills, along with excellent communication capabilities. This position offers significant exposure to private equity investors and a clear path for career development within Corporate Development and M&A.

Benefits

Signatory of the menopause pledge

Employee Assistance Programme

Private healthcare

25 days annual leave

LinkedIn learning

Free parking

Qualifications

• 3–6 years’ experience in a Big 4 / Top 10 accountancy firm or similar.
• Experience in investment banking, corporate development or M&A advisory is acceptable.
• Hungry to move from an advisor to a principal mindset.

Responsibilities

• Source opportunities and lead diligence streams.
• Analyse financial performance and key value drivers.
• Prepare and deliver investment memos and deal summaries.

Skills

Strong financial analysis

Modelling and valuation skills

Excellent PowerPoint

Excellent Excel

Strong written and verbal communication

Tools

Data visualisation tools

Job description

About the job

The role

If you’re ~5 years into your career in a Big 4 / Top 10 accountancy firm, maybe at Manager level, you probably:

• Own chunks of big projects but rarely see the full deal play out
• Spend more time in PowerPoint and spreadsheets than actually shaping outcomes
• Feel “ready for more” but can’t see a clear next step

This role is that next step.

nxzen is backed by leading private equity investors, including BlackRock and Stellex. You’ll work directly with our senior leadership and investment partners to find, evaluate and execute acquisitions that shape the future of our business.

This is a fast-paced, demanding and genuinely career-defining role. You’ll move from being a small part of other people’s transactions to being at the centre of the action – sourcing opportunities, running numbers, leading diligence streams and helping to close deals.

Market & Target Analysis

• Scan markets (e.g. Cyber, Data & AI, Digital Infrastructure) to identify acquisition opportunities aligned to nxzen’s strategy
• Research industry trends, competitive landscapes and business models
• Build and refine financial models and valuations (DCF, comps, transaction analyses) to assess opportunities and scenarios

Deal Origination & Transaction Support

• Help create and maintain a pipeline of high-potential targets
• Prepare and deliver investment memos, deal summaries and board packs
• Support (and over time, lead) elements of negotiation by providing data-driven insights and scenarios
• Work closely with our private equity investors, M&A advisors and internal leadership

Due Diligence (at pace)

• Coordinate cross-functional due diligence (Finance, Legal, HR, Operations, Technology)
• Analyse financial performance and key value drivers, highlighting risks and upsides
• Rapidly synthesise findings into clear recommendations

Integration & Value Creation

• Support the design of integration plans that actually unlock value, not just “join the dots”
• Track deal performance vs. the original investment case and help refine our playbook

Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain a clear record of deals and pipeline activity
• Provide concise, regular updates to senior leadership and investors

What we’re looking for

• 3–6 years’ experience in a Big 4 / Top 10 accountancy firm (e.g. Audit, Deals, Transaction Services, Corporate Finance) or similar professional services environment
• Alternatively, experience in investment banking, corporate development or M&A advisory
• Skills:
  • Strong financial analysis, modelling and valuation skills
  • Comfortable owning and challenging the numbers – not just building them
  • Excellent PowerPoint and Excel; familiarity with data visualisation tools is a plus
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills – you can tell a clear, compelling deal story
• Mindset:
  • Hungry to move from “advisor” to “principal” mindset
  • Thrives in fast-paced, high-expectation environments
  • Happy to roll sleeves up, work hard and manage multiple workstreams at once
  • Curious about technology, digital infrastructure, cyber and data-driven businesses

If you’ve ever thought, "I love deals, but I want to be closer to the real decision-making and value creation" this is that move.

What you’ll gain

• Direct exposure to private equity investors (BlackRock, Stellex and others) and high-calibre senior leaders
• Ownership and responsibility earlier than you’d get in most large corporates
• The chance to help build and scale high-growth practices (e.g. Cyber, Data & AI) through targeted acquisitions
• A clear path to progress your career within Corporate Development / M&A or into broader strategic leadership roles
• Experience that will stand out on any CV – and open doors in PE-backed, high-growth environments

Benefits and perks

• Signed the menopause pledge
• EV scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• X4 salary for death in service
• Private healthcare (for level 3+)
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holiday
• LinkedIn learning
• Free parking