Are you an ambitious M&A or Corporate Finance professional looking to move into a commercially focused, in-house role where you can genuinely influence the growth of a business?
Our client is entering an exciting new phase of strategic expansion and is looking to appoint an M&A Associate to play a key role in identifying, evaluating and delivering acquisition opportunities across the UK.
Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a unique opportunity to take ownership of buy-side deal origination whilst supporting transaction execution and post-acquisition integration within a successful, private equity-backed business.
The Role
This is a broad and varied position that combines strategic thinking, commercial analysis and relationship building. You'll be responsible for developing a high-quality pipeline of acquisition opportunities, engaging directly with business owners and advisers, assessing potential acquisitions and supporting transactions through to completion and integration.
Key responsibilities include:
- Building and managing a proactive pipeline of off-market acquisition opportunities.
- Identifying, approaching and developing relationships with potential acquisition targets.
- Developing strong relationships with corporate finance advisers and industry contacts to generate quality deal flow.
- Assessing both on and off-market opportunities, including strategic fit, financial analysis, valuations and business case preparation.
- Supporting due diligence processes and coordinating internal stakeholders throughout transactions.
- Working closely with Commercial, Operations, Property and Finance teams to evaluate opportunities and gather market intelligence.
- Supporting post-acquisition integration planning to ensure successful transition and value creation.
About You
We're keen to speak with ambitious professionals who have gained exposure to mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance or strategic development and are looking for a role offering greater commercial involvement and ownership.
You could currently be working within:
- Corporate Finance
- An in-house M&A or Corporate Development team
- Private Equity or Portfolio Management
- A strategic development role within a commercial business
You'll ideally have:
- Around 2-5 years' experience in an M&A, Corporate Finance or related environment.
- Experience supporting or leading buy-side acquisition processes.
- Strong financial analysis and modelling skills.
- Excellent commercial judgement and problem-solving ability.
- The confidence to build relationships with business owners, advisers and senior stakeholders.
- A proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
Experience of post-acquisition integration, due diligence, data room management or working within multi-site businesses would be advantageous but is not essential.
Why Join?
This is an exceptional opportunity to join a growing organisation with ambitious acquisition plans and significant investment behind its growth strategy.
- Direct exposure to the CFO and senior leadership team.
- The opportunity to influence acquisition strategy from origination through to integration.
- A highly visible role with genuine responsibility and autonomy.
- Flexible hybrid working, requiring just 2-4 days per month in the office near Sheffield.
- Excellent long-term career development within a fast-growing business.
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M&A Associate - In House in Sheffield employer: Chris Hayes Associates
Join a dynamic international software group as an Investment Manager, where you will thrive in a collaborative and entrepreneurial work culture that values innovation and ambition. With a strong focus on employee growth, this role offers significant exposure to senior decision-makers and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the company's ambitious acquisition strategy. Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the potential for long-term career advancement in a flexible hybrid working environment across the Midlands, Cambridgeshire, or Southern UK.
