Head – Mergers & Acquisitions – Building Materials/FMEG Magen David Search Partners

The Corporate Institute; Delhi; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Nippon Paints (Decoratives) is seeking a Head of Mergers & M&A / Corporate Development to lead the end-to-end deal lifecycle and drive strategic inorganic growth in India and international markets.

You will evaluate targets, structure deals, coordinate with advisors, and guide post‑merger integration to optimise value. The role reports to the MD and requires hands-on execution capabilities.

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of leadership experience in M&A/Corporate Development.
• Proven track record of closing and integrating acquisitions.
• Hands-on end-to-end M&A expertise beyond advisory.
• Strong financial analysis, valuation, deal structuring and negotiations.
• Experience with cross-border transactions across South Asia and/or Southeast Asia is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end M&A lifecycle from target identification to post‑acquisition integration.
• Identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities aligned with strategic growth priorities.
• Conduct market and industry analysis to identify consolidation opportunities.
• Work with leadership on investment thesis, target evaluation, valuation and negotiations.
• Coordinate with external advisors and other stakeholders during transactions.
• Drive due diligence across financial, commercial, operational and strategic aspects.
• Lead or oversee post‑merger integration to realize expected value.
• Develop a strong pipeline of targets across India and international markets.
• Provide regular updates to senior management on pipeline and progress.

Skills

M&A

Corporate Development

Strategy development

Negotiation

Due diligence

Cross-border execution

Stakeholder management

Education

MBA/PGDM

Job description

Head – Mergers & M&A / Corporate Development

About the Opportunity:

Nippon Paints (Decoratives), a leading and rapidly growing consumer-focused organisation is looking to strengthen its leadership team with a senior M&A / Corporate Development professional.

The organisation has an ambitious growth agenda, with plans to scale significantly through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The role will be central to identifying, evaluating and executing acquisitions that support the organisation’s long-term inorganic growth strategy.

The position will report directly to the Managing Director and will work closely with the leadership team on strategic growth initiatives across India and international markets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end M&A lifecycle, from identifying and evaluating potential targets through negotiations, transaction execution and post-acquisition integration.
• Identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities aligned with the organisation’s strategic growth priorities.
• Conduct market and industry analysis to identify attractive businesses, sectors and consolidation opportunities.
• Work closely with senior leadership on investment thesis, target evaluation, valuation, deal structuring and negotiations.
• Coordinate with external advisors, investment bankers, legal counsel, financial advisors and other stakeholders during transactions.
• Drive due diligence across financial, commercial, operational and strategic aspects of potential acquisitions.
• Lead or closely oversee post-merger integration, ensuring that acquired businesses are integrated effectively and the expected strategic value is realised.
• Develop a strong pipeline of potential acquisition targets across India, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• Work with the MD and leadership team to assess opportunities from both a strategic and financial perspective.
• Provide regular updates to senior management on the M&A pipeline, transaction progress, risks and opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• 12 – 15+ years of overall experience, with substantial experience in Mergers & Acquisitions / Corporate Development / Strategy / Investment Banking / Transaction Advisory.
• Demonstrated experience of having successfully executed and integrated one or more acquisitions.
• Strong hands-on understanding of the complete M&A process rather than purely an advisory or theoretical background.
• Experience in evaluating businesses, conducting due diligence, financial analysis, valuation, deal structuring and negotiations.
• Exposure to cross-border transactions, particularly across South Asia and/or Southeast Asia, would be advantageous.
• Candidates with experience in Building Materials, Construction-related businesses, FMEG/Fast-Moving Electrical Goods or adjacent sectors would be preferred.
• Experience with businesses such as tiles, sanitaryware, electrical products or other adjacent sectors would be relevant.
• Strong strategic orientation combined with the ability to personally drive execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the maturity to work directly with the Managing Director and senior leadership.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to assess whether an acquisition creates genuine strategic value.

Education:

An MBA/PGDM from a reputed business school would be preferred. However, strong M&A track record and quality of experience will be given significant importance.

What We Are Looking For:

This is not a pure strategy or advisory position. The organisation is looking for someone who has been directly involved in real transactions and successful integration of acquired businesses and can bring both strategic thinking and hands‑on execution capability.

The ideal candidate should be someone who can identify the right opportunities, build the business case, take the transaction through execution and subsequently help the organisation extract value from the acquisition.