Strategy & Corporate Development Associate (m/w/d)

CWS-boco International GmbH; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in hygiene solutions is seeking a Corporate Development Associate to support strategic initiatives and M&A activities. The role involves market analysis, competitor assessments, and collaboration with various teams to enhance growth. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in M&A and corporate strategy, along with strong analytical and communication skills. Proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel is required, and fluency in English and German is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years’ experience in M&A, Corporate Development or Strategy Consulting.
• Fluent English and German speaker.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market assessments and monitor market dynamics.
• Support end-to-end M&A processes and strategic partnerships.
• Assist in running divestment processes when required.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Economics

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

19.05.2025

Position: Corporate Development Associate

Company Description:

CWS Hygiene, a portfolio company of the German investment firm Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, has been a leading force in hygiene solutions since its founding in Switzerland in 1954. With a strong legacy of innovation, CWS Hygiene has transformed the washroom experience and provides a comprehensive range of services designed to promote healthier, safer environments.

With innovative, sustainable and digitalised service solutions, CWS Hygiene ensures health, safety and protection in the workplace and in public spaces. The solutions include hand and toilet hygiene, as well as clean entrance and exit areas with its mats in building complexes, public buildings and industrial facilities. CWS Hygiene stands for sustainability: thanks to its rental model, the company offers its customers a 'circular economy' and is committed to a healthier and safer future.

CWS Hygiene is a significant player in the hygiene services industry, employing around4,000 peopleacross15 countries. In 2024, the company generated a turnover of approximately€700million and had strong EBITDA at circa €200m, reflecting its strong market presence and financial stability. Backed by their investors, the company has ambitious organic and inorganic growth plans.

Role Description:

The Strategy & Corporate Development Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the Chief Corporate Development Officer (who is a member of the CWS Hygiene Executive Leadership Team) in shaping market-facing strategy and leading on all aspects of M&A activity.

This position will involve working across the full breadth of the corporate development remit, specifically market analysis, strategy development, M&A, strategic partnerships and other key strategic initiatives to enhance the growth and competitive edge of CWS Hygiene.

In particular, this role will focus on executing all aspects of the CWS Hygiene M&A strategy relating to extensive “buy and build” acquisitive activity across existing countries and markets as well as new markets and adjacent complementary new activities.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct market assessments of countries, sectors and adjacent new market growth opportunities.

Monitor market dynamics and trends, competitive environment, and regulatory developments.

Perform competitor analysis to inform strategic decisions.

Assist orchestration of the annual strategy refresh process, updating the Value Creation Plan (VCP), working with Finance & Transformation teams.

Support the ongoing evaluation of the company’s existing businesses and investments.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Assist in ongoing refinement of the M&A strategy and acquisition criteria

Develop a pipeline of potential acquisition target across all countries and making approaches and building relationships

Support end-to-end M&A processes, including preparation of indicative offers, valuation analysis, business case preparation, negotiation of contracts and the orchestration of due diligence processed that assess financial, operational, legal, commercial and market risks.

Maintain oversight of post-merger integrationand post-acquisition performance vs business cases. .

Assist in running divestment processes when required.

Partnerships & Strategic Alliances

Support the identification and structuring of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and alliances.

Help leverage synergies and opportunities for growth without the need for outright acquisitions through partnering.

Assist in representing CWS Hygiene in industrial or regulatory bodies or lobby groups

New Business Development Projects

Conduct market analysis and strategic assessment of new offers with both the Product Development & Innovation and Procurement departments

Support the introduction of new services or value propositions, working with the innovation and procurement teams and regional management.

Qualifications:

A high calibre individual - Engaging and enthusiastic, great communications skills, with a can-do attitude and a capacity for hard work at speed together with analytical and problem-solving skills

At least 4 years’ experience in M&A, Corporate Development of Strategy Consulting

Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Business, Economics, or a related field preferred

Fluent English and German speaker, (also having Central Eastern European country language capability would be a bonus)

Proven experience in M&A, corporate development or strategy consulting type work. Familiarisation with the end-to-end M&A process – research, origination through to completion

Ideally based in London, Frankfurt or Düsseldorf, but could be based elsewhere

PowerPoint (including Thinkcell) and excel to an advanced level