Sale & Purchase Agreement Manager

In Transaction Services we support private equity firms, investment funds and corporate clients through mergers, acquisitions and disposals. Advising throughout the lifecycle of the deal, we work on both the buy and sell side of the work, where our people develop specialist sector understanding and build key skills. We have an excellent reputation of bringing deep industry expertise, actionable insights through analysis and deals experience.

Along with financial due diligence services, our team also provides Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) support to corporate and private equity clients, PwC Deals partners and deal teams in all financial aspects of SPA work. Our clients come to us to obtain our advice on the key value items in a transaction, including supporting them in their equity price negotiation as well as the drafting of the accounting elements in the SPA, ensuring that the agreements reflect the commercial objectives and negotiated outcomes of the transaction process and that the valuation and transaction pricing impact of financial due diligence findings are appropriately considered in the transaction agreements.

With the growth in the demand for our SPA support services, both locally and globally, we are seeking to strengthen and grow our SPA team.

About the role

The role involves the identification and articulation of value issues related to deal completion mechanics to assist clients in their SPA negotiations as well as helping clients in transaction-related disputes or execution (e.g. completion accounts and earn outs). Although a familiarity with SPAs and completion mechanisms would be preferred it is not a prerequisite, you will receive extensive coaching and support from experienced deal practitioners within our global SPA specialist team as well as support from our broader FDD team locally, enabling you to develop into a trusted advisor at all stages of a transaction. It is important that you are a self-starter, a commercial and creative thinker with a desire to learn and that you can work well individually as well as part of a team.

You will build on an understanding of the nature of Deals products and how an M&A transaction is executed, and be responsible for:

• Assisting in driving the go-to-market strategy for SPA support services in SA.
• Be actively involved in business development activities to help identify and research opportunities on new/existing clients.
• Managing day-to-day tasks on engagements.
• Training and coaching lesser experienced team members.
• Supporting partners and directors in delivering client projects.

The role will enable you to:

• Gain familiarity with key accounting aspects of an SPA and completion mechanisms.
• Be part of the establishment of a specialist SPA team in SA.
• Work with an established and experienced team of SPA practitioners globally.
• Improve analytical and negotiation techniques.
• Gain insight into key value levers for clients in negotiating SPAs.
• Work closely and build relationships with due diligence teams and other advisors, to identify and mitigate risk for clients.
• Develop a strong internal and external network.
• Work in a highly motivated team, embracing flexible working.
• Work alongside a wide range of other advisors in the deal including lawyers and corporate finance advisors.
• Gain significant exposure to the “decision maker” in deals providing significant opportunity to influence the outcome of negotiations at the crunch point on deals.

Skills and experience

• CA (SA) or equivalent with at least three to five years post articles experience within a Deals/ Transaction Advisory / M&A role.
• Excellent financial analytical skills and commercial awareness.
• Work with a high attention to detail.
• Good understanding of IFRS and accounting standards.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Excellent MS Excel skills.
• Experience with Alteryx, PowerBI and other data analytics and visualisation tools will be preferable.
• Adhere to and promote quality and risk management standards.
• Good interpersonal and client relationship skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with clients and other advisors.
• Ability to build strong relationships.
• A well-organised and self-directed individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organisation.
• Ability to work to deadlines and prioritise responsibilities across multiple projects.
• Proven ability to multitask and ensure effective delivery of the priorities to meet targets and objectives.
• A proactive and energetic team player, who works effectively under pressure and can deal with a dynamic work environment.

Other:

• There is an expectation that work will occur mostly from the office, whether CT or Jhb, however, a certain level of flexibility to accommodate remote working is possible.
• Work will be performed supporting PwC Deals teams in CPT and JHB and a limited amount of monthly travel may be required.

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in M&A, apply now and join our SPA team.