Corporate Development Director

We are seeking a results-driven Corporate Development Director to join Wilmington plc. You will bring both strategic insight and meticulous attention to detail to complex deals, enabling you to spot and deliver high-impact opportunities. Your ability to navigate cross-functional teams, manage stakeholder expectations, and conduct thorough due diligence makes you an ideal fit for this pivotal role in shaping the growth strategy of Wilmington plc. If you are motivated by challenge, thrive in high-stakes negotiations, and want to directly influence the future of a dynamic organisation, we want to hear from you.

As our Corporate Development Director, you will lead all aspects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, driving growth through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. You will be responsible for:

• Opportunity Identification: Identifying potential acquisition targets through research and networking, assessing their financial and operational viability.
• Deal Sourcing: Building a robust industry network to source M&A opportunities and collaborate with internal teams and external advisors to assess potential targets.
• Due Diligence: Oversee comprehensive due diligence processes, analyzing financial, operational, legal, and regulatory aspects of transactions while working with cross-functional teams to evaluate risks and opportunities.
• Negotiation and Deal Structuring: Lead negotiations with target companies to secure favorable terms and collaborate with legal and finance teams to align deals with strategic objectives.
• Stakeholder Management: Present findings and secure approvals from senior leadership while building relationships with external partners and advisors.
• Post-Merger Integration: Ensure smooth integration of acquired entities by collaborating with operational teams, monitoring performance, and identifying areas for improvement.

This role offers a unique opportunity to drive transformative growth by leading strategic mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. You’ll play a central role in shaping the future direction and competitive position of the plc, with the autonomy to influence high-value decisions at a senior level.

The complexity of this role lies in navigating high-stakes negotiations and rigorous due diligence processes, requiring a balance of strategic thinking, detailed analysis, and strong stakeholder management to deliver successful outcomes in a dynamic environment.

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• Experience of all aspects of the end-to-end mergers and acquisitions lifecycle.
• Relevant technical qualifications such as ACCA/ CFA/ FRM/ MBA.
• Legal or deal experience.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate financial and operational performance metrics.
• Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to structure and close complex deals.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to both internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable qualifications include experience of GRC M&A, specifically Training & Education and Data & Information categories within the broader Governance, Risk and Compliance sector.

We’re Wilmington plc, a group of businesses united by governance, risk and compliance. Acting as a trusted partner, we help our customers to do the right business in the right way as they navigate the Regulatory Compliance landscape. If you’re looking for innovation, opportunity, and community, you’ll find them all and more here.