M&A and Strategic Projects Manager

The Opportunity

M&A & Strategic Projects Manager

Location: Leicester, Salisbury, Bolton or London
Contract: Permanent, Full time, Hybrid
Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer

WBR Group is looking for a commercially minded and highly organised M&A & Strategic Projects Manager to provide hands-on support across our acquisition, proposition and transformation agenda.

This is not a traditional project management role. You will play a practical role in evaluating acquisition opportunities, coordinating due diligence, supporting transaction execution and driving post-acquisition integration. You will also contribute to wider strategic and transformation initiatives, including Project Neo, our digital transformation project.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, subject matter experts and external advisers, you will bring structure to complex activity, interrogate information and ensure actions are moved through to completion.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting the commercial and financial assessment of potential acquisitions.
• Coordinating financial, legal, regulatory, operational and technology due diligence.
• Maintaining clear oversight of risks, dependencies, decisions and outstanding information.
• Turning complex findings into concise recommendations and decision points.
• Supporting transaction execution through to completion.
• Developing practical integration plans and coordinating delivery across key workstreams.
• Tracking progress against acquisition priorities and escalating issues where required.
• Supporting strategic, transformation and growth initiatives.
• Preparing business cases, presentations, updates and decision papers for senior stakeholders.
• Helping to develop and continuously improve WBR Group’s M&A playbook and supporting tools.

What we’re looking for

You will have exposure to acquisitions, due diligence, transaction execution or post-acquisition integration, alongside strong numerical and analytical skills. You will be confident managing several workstreams at once and comfortable challenging information, identifying gaps and asking effective questions.

You will also bring:

• Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Excellent written communication and the ability to simplify complex information.
• Commercial curiosity and the ability to learn unfamiliar areas quickly.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders while remaining willing to get into the detail.
• Strong personal ownership, sound judgement and a bias towards action.
• The ability to work independently and move priorities forward without extensive direction.
• A pragmatic, resilient and solutions-focused approach.
• The confidence to challenge senior leaders respectfully and constructively.

Experience gained within audit, accountancy, corporate finance, transaction services, consulting, financial services or another analytical environment would be advantageous. Experience of regulated environments or knowledge of pensions, including SSAS or SIPP administration, would also be beneficial.

An accountancy or finance qualification, or progress towards ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent qualification, is desirable but not essential. Relevant practical experience will also be considered.

If you enjoy solving complex problems, bringing structure to fast-moving priorities and turning strategy into practical delivery, we would love to hear from you.

Pay: Up to £55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Financial planning services
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Do you have direct experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, transaction execution or post-acquisition integration?
• Briefly describe your involvement in an acquisition, due diligence or business integration project.
• How many acquisition, integration or strategic transformation projects have you directly supported?
• Are you willing and able to travel between WBR Group offices and acquisition sites when required?
• Which of the following best describes your professional background?

Corporate Finance
Transaction Services
Audit
Consulting
Financial Services
Commercial Strategy
Project/Change Management
Other - please state

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Leicester LE19 1RP