Corporate Finance Associate Director or Experienced Manager in Leeds

About Cortus

Cortus is an independent advisory firm specialising in mid-market M&A, delivering tailored solutions for business owners, management teams, and private equity across buy-side, sell-side, and strategic mandates. The overall vision for Cortus is to create a truly collaborative and inclusive professional services business where everyone can have a varied, enjoyable, and successful career. A vehicle to facilitate positive social change and challenge the norms. In just under five years, Cortus Advisory Group has become one of the fastest growing independent financial advisory firms in the UK with group revenue growing from zero to over £5.0m. Our values—Collaboration, Expertise and Integrity—sit at the heart of everything we do, guiding how we work with clients, colleagues and the communities in which we operate.

Our Culture and Values

Cortus is founded on simple key values of Integrity, Collaboration and Expertise, and we demonstrate them around our foundations of supporting Colleagues, Clients and Communities. Our own working philosophy is particularly supportive, and you will have access to our market leading training and development programme, RISE, which focuses on technical skills, complex behavioural skills and coaching, as well as being mentored by our experienced team. We are proud that many of our (repeat) clients put environmental concerns and ESG policies at the heart of their own business agenda. Cortus is forward-thinking, embracing innovation and technologies such as AI to enhance its services and deliver cutting-edge solutions for clients.

The Opportunity

As an Associate Director/Experienced Manager, you will act as a key interface between clients, internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring projects are delivered with precision, insight and exceptional client service. You’ll shape deal execution, information memorandums and strategic input, while managing multiple stakeholders. This is a hands-on role suited to an ambitious individual seeking progression within a fast-growing, entrepreneurial advisory environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of transactions (M&A, disposals, fundraising, buy-outs/ins, growth capital, private equity).
• Oversee financial modelling, valuation, due diligence and transaction structuring.
• Prepare and review high-quality materials (information memoranda, financial analysis, pitch documents, board reports), which articulate complex financial outputs clearly for clients and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted client and adviser relationships.
• Lead project teams, manage workstreams, and coordinate with external advisers (tax, legal, commercial, financial).
• Drive origination and business development, supporting the growth of the practice.
• Mentor, develop, and supervise junior team members, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Report to Directors/Partners, providing clear recommendations and commercial insight.
• Ensure delivery standards, compliance, and quality control throughout each engagement.

The role can be based from our Leeds or Manchester office with occasional travel to other offices in the UK and client premises.

About You

• Professional qualification (ACA/ACCA/ICAS or equivalent) with 3+ years post-qualification experience in corporate finance, transaction services, or advisory.
• Proven track record of successful deal execution (buy-side and sell-side) in a professional services environment.
• Proven ability to prepare and present high-quality client deliverables.
• Advanced technical skills: ideally with experience of financial modelling, valuations, and analytical review.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Experience in business development, deal origination, and market mapping.
• Organised, decisive, and able to manage multiple projects under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, able to build and maintain relationships with clients, investors, and advisers.
• Confident leader and a team player, committed to mentoring and developing others.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to upholding Cortus values.

What We Offer

• Exposure to diverse, high-quality mid-market transactions and dynamic growth businesses.
• Direct access to senior leadership, mentorship, and genuine progression opportunities.
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial culture that values expertise, integrity, and continuous professional development.

Here’s what you will get at Cortus

• Competitive base salary and bonus (benchmarked twice a year to market)
• Annual Leave – Team members receive 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays
• Birthday Leave – Take the day off to celebrate your birthday
• Company sick pay
• Option to purchase annual leave
• One-to-one mentoring
• Flexible working options
• Enhanced paternity / maternity / sick leave
• Annual Peer/Mentoring allowance
• Health cash plan
• Pension salary sacrifice scheme – with employer contributions being paid on full salary
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual Corporate Conference
• Annual CSR day
• Mental health support
• Supported study programmes
• Referral bonus

How to apply

We’re excited to connect directly with talented individuals for this opportunity. At this time, we kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. If Cortus sounds like the kind of place you’d like to work, apply below. The close date for applications will be 5.30pm on Tuesday 7th April.

Using AI in the application process

We value authenticity and want to understand who you are, your experiences and what you bring to the table. We welcome the use of AI to polish your narrative, explore ideas and structure your thoughts –– but remember we want to see the real you. Please ensure the final application reflects your journey and your skills (otherwise you’ll just be saying the same thing as everyone else!).

Equal Opportunities

Cortus is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We also believe that every candidate should have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities so if you need any adjustments during the hiring process, let us know so we can support you.