Corporate Development and Strategy Manager (18 month FTC) London

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Corporate development is a central part of the Financial Times Group’s growth strategy. Corporate Development & Strategy (“CD&S”) is a small but high profile function reporting jointly to the CFO and the Director of Strategic Partnerships, both of whom sit on the FT Group Board. The team is responsible for sourcing, supporting and executing the FT’s inorganic and centralised growth initiatives, including M&A, Strategic Partnerships, Portfolio Management, Corporate Investing and strategic projects to accelerate growth beyond business as usual. The CD&S team will also support Nikkei Group, FT’s parent company, on its M&A activities.

We are looking for a Corporate Development & Strategy Manager, reporting to the Corporate Development & Strategy Director. We are seeking an innovative, creative, analytical and strategic thinker who can demonstrate passion about the future of our businesses. The ideal candidate enjoys solving problems and working alongside others, can take direction but is also proactive and is willing and able to work under their own initiative. It is essential that the candidate is a team player, is able to build strong professional relationships and has excellent communication skills. The role will involve significant exposure to the FT’s leadership team and various functions throughout the FT Group and so an ability to establish credibility in working with senior management is essential. We are particularly interested in candidates who have transaction experience and existing networks in APAC. This role will be offered on an initial 18 month fixed term contract.

Key responsibilities:

• Sourcing FT corporate development opportunities - including acquisition target sourcing and filtering, relationship building and generating strategic partnership proposals;
• Assisting Nikkei Group in M&A origination and, where necessary, execution;
• End-to-end contribution to M&A and disposals - including business valuation modelling, business plan analysis and pricing, due diligence and transaction coordination, and contract negotiation;
• Working on strategic projects and strategic partnerships on a case by case basis;
• Leading the financial and valuation analysis of business opportunities and, applying critical thinking to the business case and how it progresses the FT and Nikkei’s strategies;
• Preparation of board papers and any documentation required for CFO, CEO, FT Board and Nikkei approval processes.

Required skills and experience:

• The ideal candidate will have strong core technical skills acquired during active participation in M&A transactions, particularly with respect to financial modelling;
• Candidates will have at least 8 years relevant experience gained working in an investment bank or M&A advisory firm, the corporate finance division of a large accounting or consulting firm, or within the M&A/ Corporate Finance/ Corporate Development function of a corporate organisation;
• Strong undergraduate degree, ideally in economics, business, finance, law or accounting;
• Highly numerate and confident and experienced in financial modelling, valuation analysis and business plan and commercial analysis;
• Proven analytical and business and problem solving skills, with the ability to apply financial analysis to commercial issues;
• Excellent attention to detail, commitment to the job and a strong results-driven work ethic;
• Strong strategic acumen, and understanding of FT and the industry within which it operates;
• Demonstrable end to end transaction experience;
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills;
• Confident working under own initiative as well as ability to collaborate well and work with others;
• Strategy experience is a plus;
• APAC M&A experience is a plus;
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Google Suite.

What’s in it for you?

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here. We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.