Corporate Finance Transaction Leader

Benchmark International; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial advisory firm is looking for a client-facing professional to engage with senior stakeholders, negotiate deal structures, and guide junior staff. This position offers exposure to complex M&A activities and clear progression opportunities in a dynamic work environment in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Ideal candidates will have a finance or economics degree and relevant experience in corporate finance or business brokerage.

Benefits

Opportunity for career progression

Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience

Exposure to high-level M&A activity

Qualifications

• Experience in corporate finance or business brokerage is advantageous.
• Confidence in advising clients and guiding junior staff.
• Strong accounting knowledge is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop working knowledge of client’s business.
• Set strategic direction of projects.
• Prepare and facilitate client meetings.
• Follow up with clients after meetings.
• Negotiate deal structures between vendor and buyer.

Skills

Client negotiation

Communication skills

Commercial acumen

Financial analysis

Education

Degree or equivalent qualification in Finance or Economics

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

The role is client-facing, involving negotiation and communication with senior levels, both internal and external. The candidate should work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and operate efficiently.

Education requirements include a degree or equivalent qualification. Relevant corporate finance experience gained in an accountancy firm, a corporate finance boutique, or a business brokerage is advantageous. The candidate should be confident in advising clients and guiding junior staff.

Qualifications such as being qualified or partly qualified with a Finance or Economics degree, or possessing strong accounting knowledge, are beneficial.

Role responsibilities and duties:

1. Develop a working knowledge of the project, the client’s business, and vendor requirements.
2. Set the strategic direction of the project from the outset, including providing appropriate resources.
3. Understand the client’s financial performance.
4. Prepare thoroughly for meetings and facilitate client/buyer meetings as appropriate.
5. Follow up with clients/buyers after meetings.
6. Guide parties in exploring acceptable deal structures.
7. Generate indicative offers and leverage synergistic benefits of acquisitions to add value.
8. Communicate effectively between clients, buyers, and advisors, relaying offers and responses.
9. Negotiate acceptable commercial deal structures between vendor and purchaser.
10. Liaise with the Transactions Director on negotiations and project progress.
11. Maintain detailed records and update CRM diligently after discussions or meetings.
12. Possess technical and practical knowledge of M&A transactions (preferred).
13. Demonstrate strong commercial acumen, negotiation, influencing, and persuasion skills.
14. Be highly computer literate, with experience in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
15. Apply a creative approach to problem-solving.
16. Have good numeracy skills and the ability to analyze financial information.
17. Exhibit excellent telephone manners and relationship-building abilities.
18. Be self-motivated, capable of prioritizing workloads.
19. Work well under pressure, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
20. Show strong teamwork ethic, motivating and communicating effectively with team members.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to work in a rapidly growing business in South Africa, Africa, and internationally, with exposure to high-level M&A activity and valuable experience.
• Clear progression opportunities for the right candidate.
• A fun, challenging, and driven working environment.
• A competitive salary, negotiable based on experience.