At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead M&A strategy, source deals, and drive company growth in a dynamic environment.
- Company: AI-native recruitment platform transforming hiring with innovative technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity participation, remote work, and fast track to CFO role.
- Why this job: Be part of a groundbreaking company and shape the future of recruitment.
- Qualifications: Proven M&A experience, deal origination skills, and ability to operate independently.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About The Company
Our Client is an AI‑native recruitment platform transforming how companies hire top talent. By combining proprietary AI infrastructure with a network of expert talent partners, they deliver dramatically faster and better hiring outcomes than traditional agencies. Their platform reaches over 13,000 candidates weekly and leverages a proprietary database of nearly one billion candidate profiles to help ambitious startups and scaleups build world‑class teams.
Results:
- 3–4x faster hiring compared to industry averages
- 5–10x higher fill rates than traditional agencies
- 6x revenue growth last year while maintaining strong profitability
Company Highlights:
- Backed by leading investors including Notion Capital, Frontline Ventures, and prominent operators from Workday, eBay, Monzo, HubSpot, McKinsey, and Hg Capital
- Entering next phase of growth
Job Details:
- Location: United Kingdom (Remote)
- Employment Type: Full‑time
- Seniority Level: Senior Level
- Work Authorization: Valid Work‑Permit for UK
Opportunity:
As Head of M&A & Corporate Development, you will architect and execute the strategy from the ground up. This is not a role for someone who wants institutional infrastructure. We are looking for an entrepreneurial operator who knows how to source deals, structure financing, navigate complexity, and close transactions with limited resources. For the right candidate, this role offers a clear path to becoming the company's future CFO.
What You’ll Do:
- Deal Origination & Pipeline Development:
- Build and manage a proprietary acquisition pipeline across Europe
- Conduct owner outreach and relationship building with SME targets
- Develop long‑term relationships with founders and business owners
- Identify high‑potential acquisition opportunities
- M&A Execution:
- Lead transactions from origination through closing
- Structure LOIs, negotiate commercial terms, and manage exclusivity
- Coordinate legal, financial, and operational due diligence
- Manage advisors, data rooms, and transaction workstreams
- Financing & Structuring:
- Work directly with lenders and financing partners
- Structure debt, mezzanine, vendor financing, and earnout packages
- Support capital‑raising activities where needed
- Optimize transaction economics and risk allocation
- Integration & Portfolio Growth:
- Support post‑acquisition integration efforts
- Help acquired businesses leverage the company's AI infrastructure
- Establish scalable playbooks for future acquisitions
- Drive portfolio value creation initiatives
Who We’re Looking For:
We’re seeking an entrepreneurial M&A leader with a proven ability to execute transactions in resource‑constrained environments.
You Likely Bring:
- End‑to‑end SME M&A execution experience
- Deal origination and owner outreach expertise
- Hands‑on experience with acquisition financing
- Strong legal and financial due diligence capabilities
- The ability to operate independently without large institutional support
Particularly Attractive Backgrounds Include:
- Corporate Development or M&A in high‑growth companies
- Entrepreneurship or founder experience
- Professional services or recruitment industry M&A
- Roll‑up or buy‑and‑build strategies
- Private equity or lower middle‑market transactions
Nice to Have:
- Earnout structuring experience
- Professional services M&A background
- Experience scaling acquisition engines
- Exposure to AI or technology‑enabled services businesses
- Track record progressing toward CFO or finance leadership roles
What We Offer:
- Competitive base salary
- Significant equity participation designed for meaningful ownership
- Remote‑first work model
- Direct access to founders and investors
- Opportunity to build a category‑defining company from the ground up
- Explicit fast track to CFO as the platform scales
Join Us:
Join us at the exact moment we transition from proving the model to scaling it and help build the defining AI‑powered roll‑up in the global recruitment industry.
Head of M&A & Corporate Development in London employer: C&D Talent Advisory
Our Client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic remote-first work environment that fosters entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. With significant equity participation and a clear path to CFO, employees are empowered to shape the future of AI-driven recruitment while enjoying direct access to founders and investors. The company's commitment to rapid growth and meaningful ownership makes it an attractive opportunity for ambitious professionals seeking to make a substantial impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of M&A & Corporate Development in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like C&D Talent Advisory!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head of M&A & Corporate Development position at C&D Talent Advisory via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of M&A & Corporate Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at C&D Talent Advisory.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to C&D Talent Advisory’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at C&D Talent Advisory
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to C&D Talent Advisory. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at C&D Talent Advisory. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to C&D Talent Advisory.
