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- Tasks: Lead M&A transactions and drive growth strategies in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Dynamic financial services firm focused on innovative growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career advancement, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with regular interaction with senior leadership.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by shaping the future of the company through strategic deals.
- Qualifications: 10+ years of M&A experience and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Corporate Development Deal Lead to play a central role in executing the group’s inorganic growth strategy. This individual will lead full-cycle M&A transactions, from origination through to completion, working closely with senior management, private equity sponsors, and external advisers. The role is suited to a commercially minded M&A professional with deep transaction experience who can operate independently, build trusted relationships with founders and advisers, and drive deals through to completion in a fast-paced, PE-backed environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Deal Origination & Relationship Building
- Originate proprietary and intermediated acquisition opportunities across the financial services landscape.
- Build and maintain relationships with founders, management teams, advisers, and industry participants.
- Represent the business credibly in the market and articulate the group’s investment proposition.
- Lead full-cycle M&A processes from initial screening through to deal completion.
- Assess strategic fit, value creation potential, and transaction risks.
- Lead valuation, structuring, pricing, and commercial negotiations.
- Coordinate and manage all due diligence workstreams (financial, commercial, legal, regulatory, tax, HR, IT).
- Negotiate transaction documentation (NDAs, HoTs, SPAs, TSAs, employment and shareholder agreements) alongside legal advisers.
- Prepare and present materials for executive leadership, boards, and PE investment committees.
- Act as a trusted partner to the CEO, CFO, and senior leadership team.
- Work closely with private equity sponsors and investment teams.
- Manage external advisers including investment banks, accountants, lawyers, and consultants.
- Support post-deal integration planning in collaboration with operational and functional leaders.
- Ensure transaction rationale translates into executable value creation initiatives.
- Track deal performance against original investment cases.
Candidate Profile
- Experience
- 10+ years’ M&A experience, gained in:
- Corporate development / in-house M&A, and/or
- Investment banking / M&A advisory at senior level.
- Strong commercial judgement and deal instincts.
- Deep understanding of transaction mechanics, valuation, and deal structuring.
- Confident negotiator with the ability to engage credibly with founders and senior stakeholders.
- Highly organised, resilient, and comfortable operating in a high-volume, fast-moving deal environment.
- Low-ego, collaborative approach with the gravitas to operate at board and sponsor level.
- Hands-on mindset; comfortable owning deals end-to-end.
Location
London-based role. Regular interaction with senior leadership and PE sponsors. Occasional UK and international travel as required.
Corporate Development Lead in London employer: Phipps Cameron Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Phipps Cameron Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Development Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and join relevant online groups. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to showcase your skills in interviews. Prepare examples of your past M&A successes and how you’ve navigated challenges. We want to see your deal-making prowess in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups. After interviews or networking events, drop a quick thank-you note. It keeps you on their radar and shows you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Development Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Corporate Development Lead role. Highlight your M&A experience and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to lead full-cycle transactions. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your deal-making success and how you've built relationships in the financial services landscape. Let us know why you’re excited about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, make sure to highlight your strong commercial judgement and negotiation skills. We’re looking for someone who can engage credibly with senior stakeholders, so don’t be shy about sharing your experiences that demonstrate these abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phipps Cameron Recruitment
✨Know Your M&A Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your M&A knowledge before the interview. Understand the full cycle of transactions, from origination to completion, and be ready to discuss specific deals you've led. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have real-world experience.
✨Build Relationships
Since relationship building is key in this role, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to connect with stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built trust with founders, management teams, or advisers in past roles. This will highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Be prepared to talk about your negotiation experiences. Think of a few challenging negotiations you've been involved in and how you navigated them. This will help illustrate your confident negotiating style and your ability to engage with senior stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
The role requires strong commercial judgement, so come equipped with examples of how you've assessed strategic fit and value creation potential in previous deals. Discuss how you’ve managed risks and ensured successful outcomes, which will showcase your analytical skills.