Deputy Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (HYBRID)

Equitable; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Equitable seeks a seasoned M&A leader to shape and execute the enterprise-wide M&A strategy across Retirement, Wealth Management, and Asset Management. You will source targets, manage a robust pipeline, and coordinate complex negotiations with senior executives and external advisors.

You will drive financial modeling, valuation, and deal structuring while leading cross-functional due diligence across finance, legal, and risk to support executive decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive M&A transaction experience in corporate development, investment banking, or related environment.
• 2+ years of Wealth Management deal experience strongly preferred (broker-dealer or RIA landscape).
• Proven expertise in corporate finance, valuation, transaction structuring, and financial modeling.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional transactions with senior executives and external advisors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the enterprise M&A strategy across Retirement, Wealth Management, and Asset Management.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with targets, banks, and advisors to generate opportunities.
• Lead deal origination, pipeline development, and negotiations ensuring strategic alignment.
• Oversee due diligence and coordinate cross-functional teams across finance, legal, tax, actuarial, and risk.
• Present strategic recommendations and manage transaction progress for senior leadership.

Skills

M&A strategy

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Financial modeling

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

S&P Capital IQ

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About The Role

At Equitable, we help clients secure their financial well-being so they can pursue long and fulfilling lives - a mission we’ve honed since 1859.

What You’ll Be Doing

M&A Strategy & Strategic Planning

Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute the enterprise M&A strategy across Retirement, Wealth Management, and Asset Management, with particular emphasis on Wealth Management as a strategic growth priority. Align acquisition, divestiture, reinsurance, and partnership opportunities with the firm’s long-term growth and strategic objectives.

Market Intelligence & Target Identification

Develop a comprehensive view of priority markets, industry trends, competitive activity, and potential targets, with deeper coverage of the broker-dealer and RIA landscape. Translate market insights into actionable acquisition themes, sourcing priorities, and transaction opportunities.

Deal Origination & Pipeline Development

Proactively originate and evaluate acquisition, divestiture, reinsurance, and strategic partnership opportunities. Build and actively manage a high-quality pipeline aligned with enterprise priorities, including targeted outreach, inbound opportunity assessment, and dedicated Wealth Management coverage.

Strategic Relationship Development

Build and maintain senior‑level relationships with prospective targets, business owners, industry executives, investment banks, consultants, legal advisors, reinsurers, and other key market participants to strengthen the firm’s M&A network and generate strategic opportunities.

Transaction Leadership & Execution

Lead complex transactions from initial evaluation through execution, coordinating internal and external stakeholders and maintaining disciplined governance, strategic alignment, and effective execution throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Financial Analysis, Valuation & Deal Structuring

Lead and oversee financial modeling, valuation, transaction structuring, and scenario analysis to assess strategic and financial attractiveness, including transaction returns, cash flow implications, and accretion/dilution considerations.

Due Diligence & Cross-Functional Leadership

Lead enterprise-wide due diligence and coordinate cross-functional teams across business, finance, legal, tax, accounting, actuarial, risk, investments, and operations to evaluate opportunities, identify key considerations and risks, and support transaction decisions.

Negotiation & Counterparty Engagement

Partner with executive leadership, legal counsel, and external advisors in negotiations with counterparties, including the evaluation and development of LOIs/IOIs, term sheets, transaction documents, commercial terms, and required approvals.

Executive Communication & M&A Reporting

Develop and present strategic recommendations, transaction materials, pipeline updates, sourcing activity, and performance insights for senior leadership and other key stakeholders. Monitor transaction progress and relevant performance measures to support informed decision‑making and ongoing M&A strategy.

Schedule

This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with an on‑site presence of 2–3 days per week combining flexibility with team collaboration.

Full-time

Compensation

The total targeted compensation range for this position is $450,000 - $600,000. Total compensation varies based on skills, experience, geographical location and other factors. Equitable provides compensation to reward performance with base salary increases, spot bonuses, and short-term incentive compensation opportunities. Eligibility for these programs depends on level and functional area of responsibility.

For eligible employees, Equitable provides a full range of benefits. This includes medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off. For detailed descriptions of these benefits, please reference the link below.

Equitable Pay and Benefits: Equitable Total Rewards Program

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required. MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive M&A transaction experience, including significant buy-side and sell-side experience within corporate development, investment banking, or a related environment.
• 2+ years of Wealth Management transaction experience strongly preferred, with knowledge of the broker-dealer and/or RIA landscape highly desirable; experience across Retirement, Asset Management, or broader financial services is also preferred.
• Proven expertise in corporate finance, valuation, accounting, transaction structuring, and financial modeling, with the ability to evaluate the strategic and financial implications of complex transactions.
• Established experience leading complex, cross-functional transactions and partnering effectively with senior executives, business leaders, external advisors, and counterparties.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, business judgment, executive communication, and leadership capabilities, with the ability to translate complex analyses into clear recommendations and manage multiple priorities.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, take ownership and accountability, maintain exceptional attention to detail, and manage sensitive or confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint and experience with S&P Capital IQ/Market Intelligence or comparable platforms preferred.

Skills

Strategic & Business Acumen

Demonstrates a strong understanding of business strategy, market dynamics, and financial drivers, with the ability to translate insights into actionable M&A opportunities and recommendations.

M&A & Transaction Leadership

Demonstrates expertise across the transaction lifecycle, with the ability to evaluate, structure, and lead complex acquisitions, divestitures, reinsurance transactions, and strategic partnerships.

Financial Analysis, Valuation & Modeling

Applies strong knowledge of corporate finance, accounting, valuation, and financial modeling to assess transaction alternatives, financial implications, risks, and potential returns.

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making

Analyzes complex financial, strategic, and market information, exercises sound judgment, and develops well-informed recommendations in dynamic and often ambiguous situations.

Executive Communication & Influence

Communicates complex financial and strategic concepts clearly and effectively, with the executive presence and influencing skills to engage senior leaders, business partners, advisors, and counterparties.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

Builds trusted relationships across internal and external stakeholders and effectively navigates differing priorities to advance strategic initiatives and transactions.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Execution

Leads complex, multi-disciplinary initiatives with accountability, discretion, and attention to detail, effectively coordinating stakeholders and priorities through execution.

About Equitable

At Equitable, we’re a team committed to helping our clients secure their financial well-being so that they can pursue long and fulfilling lives.

We turn challenges into opportunities by thinking, working, and leading differently – where everyone is a leader. We encourage every employee to leverage their unique talents to become a force for good at Equitable and in their local communities.

We are continuously investing in our people by offering growth, internal mobility, comprehensive compensation and benefits to support overall well-being, flexibility, and a culture of collaboration and teamwork.

We are looking for talented, dedicated, purposeful people who want to make an impact. Join Equitable and pursue a career with purpose.

Equitable is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to our employees, applicants and candidates based on individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disabilities, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information or any other class protected by federal, state and local laws.

NOTE: Equitable participates in the E-Verify program.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process or to perform the essential job functions of this position, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or email us at [e-mail].

Primary Location

UNITED STATES-NY-New York