Corporate Development Director

SJC Partners is managing the recruitment process for the hire of a Corporate Development Director into a new buy and build vehicle, backed by a major global private equity business.

As Corporate Development Director, you will oversee and manage bolt-on acquisitions end to end. This role will focus on deal execution rather than origination or post-deal integration, managing deals from the first meeting through to completion, managing multiple processes concurrently and reporting into the board and private equity house. This person will work closely with a senior figure in the marketplace who will be responsible for target origination, and therefore this role focuses on deal execution.

This is a private equity backed group on a buy and build plan, acquiring businesses with an EBITDA of between £0.5m and £2m typically. Consequently, mid-market deal experience is required. The successful candidate should be hands-on with strong experience managing FDD, tax DD and legal DD. Prior TS/FDD experience is preferred or extensive experience managing FDD, tax and legal M&A processes.

This is a UK based role and can be remote or if the candidate wishes. Equally, this group has hubs across the UK for a hybrid working model.

• Execution Lead: Oversee and manage the bolt-on acquisition process from start to finish, with responsibility over all aspects of deal management, adopting a hands-on approach.
• Investment Committee Papers: Creating and presenting investment committee papers to the board and private equity backers.
• Acquisition Pipeline Management: Conduct meetings with target businesses, build relationships, and triage the pipeline for time and capital prioritisation. This role does not focus on deal origination, but rather pipeline progression and deal completions.
• Manage DD: Oversee and project manage financial DD, tax DD and legal DD, driving pace and results.
• Relationship Management: Forge strong relationships with management teams and manage vendor valuation and operational expectations.

• Current Role: Operating at senior AD/VP/SM or junior Director level in a corporate finance advisory or internal corporate development function.
• Deal Management: Experience in end-to-end deal management, balancing operational detail with oversight.
• Due Diligence: Prior experience in a financial due diligence/transaction services team is preferred.

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFq, or CFA qualified.
• Relationship Skills: Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to credibly position the group to target businesses, building trust and rapport.

This role offers the opportunity to play a major role in the development of a scaled PE backed group. For the right candidate, this business is open to offering a management incentive plan or sweet equity linked to a planned exit.