Assistant Director - Corporate Development

Job Purpose Supporting the Corporate Development team in the identification, evaluation and execution of a range of strategic corporate development activities, especially M&A and strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities Your responsibilities will include:

Origination and Evaluation

• Identify, research and evaluate M&A and corporate development opportunities, drawing input and support from key stakeholder groups as required.
• Facilitate ongoing conversations between the Corporate Development team and multiple Business Units to support identifying opportunities and establishing M&A priorities for the Group.
• Prepare financial and valuation models in line with Acuity’s M&A approach and criteria.
• Prepare briefing reports and updates for the Executive Committee / Board of Directors / Investment Committee relating to M&A and corporate development pipeline / opportunities and activities.
• Develop clear recommendations, including the preparation of investment case materials covering strategic, financial and execution considerations, for the benefit of senior stakeholders.
• Stay on top of key industry developments, including current / rumoured M&A situations and ideas presented by advisors, and prepare briefing materials where required.

Execution

• Work with external advisors and due diligence providers to ensure engagements are completed on time and within agreed fee estimates.
• Assume day-to-day responsibility for the project management of M&A processes and corporate development opportunities.
• Review and manage data room documentation to support due diligence processes and the identification of key risks and issues.
• Liaise with internal due diligence and integration workstream leads to collate due diligence findings, identify key risks and ensure appropriate contractual protections are obtained.
• Contribute towards and support principal-to-principal transaction negotiations with external counterparties, as well as the reviewing of legal transaction documents alongside internal and external counsel.
• Support the preparation of deal sign-off materials for submission to the Executive Committee / Board of Directors / Investment Committee.

Reporting

• Maintain the deal pipeline and support the preparation of periodic update packs for the Executive Committee, Investment Committee and M&A / Corporate Development Steering Committees.
• Support the periodic preparation and updating of the M&A strategy plan.

Key competencies

• You will be expected to:
• Be educated to degree level, or equivalent.
• Have M&A / corporate development experience from a ‘Big 4’ accountancy firm (M&A or Transaction Support), investment banking, corporate finance advisory boutique or in-house corporate team. Experience in driving buy-side transactions will be a plus.
• Be highly numerate, with a strong grasp of financial analysis, modelling and valuation.
• Have outstanding verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, as the role will require dealing with multiple senior stakeholders as well as Acuity’s shareholders and external advisors, investment bankers, lawyers and due diligence providers.
• Be a highly motivated self-starter, looking for the opportunity to build a career in a fast-moving Private Equity backed business with ambitious growth plans.
• Have the ability to work effectively across cultures and be prepared to travel internationally occasionally.
• Be detail oriented, with a problem-solving mindset and ability to credibly present to senior stakeholders.