Director, Financial Services M&A (London)

As a Director, Financial Services M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) Advisory, you will play a pivotal role in advising clients and executing strategic transactions, with a particular focus on mid-market Wealth and Insurance markets. You will collaborate with a fellow Director, who leads our specialist lending M&A offering, to strengthen our overall Financial Services M&A offering.

You will lead and oversee the full M&A lifecycle from initial analysis and due diligence to deal structuring, negotiation and closing. This role requires a seasoned M&A professional with a deep market knowledge, strong financial acumen, and the ability to build and manage relationships with key stakeholders throughout complex transactions.

Key Accountabilities:

• Collaborate with senior leadership to align M&A activities with overall business strategy.
• Identify and evaluate M&A opportunities that align with the company's growth objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with key industry players, investment bankers, and other relevant parties.
• Conduct thorough financial analysis, market research, and due diligence on potential targets.
• Assess risks and opportunities associated with each transaction and provide recommendations.
• Develop and recommend deal structures that align with strategic objectives and financial considerations.
• Work closely with legal and financial teams to ensure compliance and successful deal execution.
• Lead negotiations with target companies, ensuring favourable terms and conditions for the organization.
• Interface with internal stakeholders, including executives and department heads, to ensure alignment on M&A strategies and objectives.
• Communicate effectively with external stakeholders, such as target companies, investment bankers, and legal advisors.
• Leverage internal expertise across debt advisory, financial diligence, value creation and post-merger integration to enhance deal execution and value realisation.
• Continuously monitor industry trends, regulatory developments and competitor activity to proactively identify risks and opportunities.

Minimum Requirements:

• ACA qualified with a minimum 10 year’s experience within professional services or similar.
• 5 years of direct Financial Services M&A transactions experience as the lead advisor.
• Extensive execution experience on end-to-end deals (closed deal experience).
• Proven sell-side transaction experience within the Wealth and Insurance sectors.
• Strong experience of leading discussions with senior client executives and target management.
• Demonstrated experience of managing and mentoring team members.
• Review financial models and database systems.
• Experience creating and supporting the delivery of client pitches.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Assist in initiating and extending group marketing and client development effort.
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic, client-centric environment.
• A strategic mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong work ethic, organisational skills and ability to multitask.
• Ability to grow a business and act entrepreneurially.
• Holds a well-developed network professional network & relationships, clients and target professionals.

Benefits:

• Annual leave 26 days (in addition to Public/Bank Holidays)
• Private medical insurance
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Group Income Protection
• Holiday buy (up to 10 days via salary sacrifice)
• Workplace pension scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Dental Insurance (optional, BUPA)
• Critical Illness Insurance (optional)

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