At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex HR M&A projects and shape people-focused transformations.
- Company: Join a global leader in professional services with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Thriving team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational performance and client success.
- Qualifications: Extensive HR M&A experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
As a Senior Manager in HR M&A Transactions, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering complex, people‑focused M&A and restructuring engagements. You will act as a trusted advisor to clients while providing strong leadership across delivery teams.
- Deliver complex HR M&A engagements
- Lead end‑to‑end HR M&A engagements across the full deal lifecycle, including Due Diligence, Sell & Separate and Buy & Integrate.
- Shape and deliver people‑led transformation programmes that enhance organisational performance and maximise deal value.
- Lead the preparation of high‑quality RFP responses and client proposals, ensuring timely, professional and compelling submissions.
- Ensure full compliance with EY’s Quality and Risk Management (QRM) requirements, from client acceptance through to programme close.
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with clients and multi‑disciplinary EY delivery teams.
- Uphold EY’s quality, risk and commercial standards across all engagements.
- Contribute to strengthening EY’s reputation as a trusted advisor in HR M&A and people‑led transformation.
Lead and develop teams
- Act as a coach and mentor within the HR M&A team, recognising individual strengths and areas for development.
- Drive continuous capability development, drawing on your SMR experience and practical insight.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high‑performing team culture.
- Role‑model EY values, quality and client service excellence.
- Support the ongoing growth of the practice by building strong day‑to‑day relationships with clients and internal EY stakeholders, becoming a trusted “go‑to” advisor.
Drive insight and value for clients
- Support the sales process by contributing to the development of client propositions, presentations and collateral.
- Play an active role in go‑to‑market initiatives, providing subject‑matter expertise and insight.
- Contribute to the development of EY tools, methodologies and points of view.
- Develop clear, evidence‑based perspectives on People issues across both M&A and restructuring.
- Translate complex data, regulatory requirements and operational detail into clear, concise and actionable insights for clients.
- Operate as an SMR across the M&A lifecycle, with strong knowledge across key HR disciplines including organisational design and effectiveness, employee and industrial relations, benefits, communications and change management.
- Support sector development, representing the M&A People proposition and building collaborative cross‑functional relationships across EY.
What You Bring
We are seeking a Senior Manager with strong delivery credentials and emerging commercial leadership:
- Extensive experience across HR M&A, HR transformation, restructuring and people consulting.
- Proven ability to lead complex HR workstreams in both domestic and international contexts, working with diverse EY and client teams.
- Strong focus on the employee proposition, with a clear understanding of key risks, best practices and delivery within agreed time, cost and risk parameters.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging senior client leadership.
- Strong analytical capability combined with clear, structured communication and high‑impact presentation skills.
Desirable
- Experience across both buy‑side and sell‑side transactions, as well as organisational restructuring.
- Professional HR qualifications (e.g. CIPD) or a relevant degree.
- Experience working in large, global or highly regulated environments.
Who Thrives Here
- Comfortable owning delivery and being accountable for outcomes.
- Confident operating in ambiguity and under tight timelines.
- Proven in providing calm, structured and professional leadership in complex programmes.
- Highly detail‑oriented, particularly across client delivery, programme management and QRM.
- Passionate about people, deals and transformation.
- Ambitious, motivated and committed to progressing their career within EY.
Senior Manager - HR M&A Transactions employer: EY UK
At EY, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and inclusivity. As a Senior Manager in HR M&A Transactions, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects while benefiting from extensive professional development and mentorship. Our commitment to employee growth, coupled with our reputation as a trusted advisor in the industry, makes EY a rewarding place to advance your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager - HR M&A Transactions
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend networking events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that Senior Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your insights on HR M&A and transformation. This will not only demonstrate your knowledge but also position you as a go-to advisor in the field.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before interviews! Understand the company’s recent M&A activities and be ready to discuss how you can add value. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience in leading complex HR workstreams.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at EY.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager - HR M&A Transactions
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Manager role. Highlight your experience in HR M&A and how it aligns with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Senior Manager, you'll be leading teams and engaging with clients. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed complex projects in the past. We love seeing examples of your coaching and mentoring abilities!
Be Clear and Concise:When preparing your written application, clarity is key! Make sure your responses are structured and easy to read. We appreciate high-quality submissions that get straight to the point while showcasing your analytical skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at EY UK
✨Know Your M&A Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR M&A knowledge. Understand the full deal lifecycle, from due diligence to integration. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led complex HR engagements and what impact they had.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare to share experiences where you've coached or mentored teams, highlighting how you fostered a collaborative culture and drove performance.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Be prepared to talk about your experience engaging with senior client leadership. Think of examples where you've built trusted relationships and how you navigated challenges in stakeholder management.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Your analytical skills are important, but so is how you present your insights. Practice articulating complex data and regulatory requirements in a clear, concise manner. Use high-impact presentation techniques to make your points resonate.
