M&A Associate

Our client is an independent Energy & Commodity investment and trading company with an opportunistic global mandate, focusing on the Energy / Oil & Gas sectors and associated Heavy Industries.

We are seeking a highly motivated and commercially minded Associate to join the London-based M&A team. The successful candidate will play an integral role in identifying, evaluating, executing and integrating acquisition opportunities across multiple geographies. The ideal candidate will be from an IB or BIG 4 M&A Advsory team (Dead Advisory, Transaction Advisory etc.).

The Associate will work across the full transaction lifecycle, from market screening through to financial analysis, modelling, due diligence and transaction execution. The successful candidate will operate in a fast-paced, highly acquisitive environment with significant exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the identification, screening and evaluation of acquisition and strategic investment opportunities.
• Conduct market, industry and competitive analysis to identify potential targets and assess strategic fit.
• Build and maintain detailed financial models, valuations and investment analyses.
• Coordinate and manage due diligence workstreams across the business including financial, legal, commercial, operational, human resources, technology, tax and regulatory disciplines.
• Prepare investment papers and management presentations.
• Support negotiations with counterparties, advisors, lenders and other stakeholders.
• Assist in transaction structuring, execution and closing activities.
• Work closely with external advisors throughout the deal process.
• Support post-acquisition integration planning and execution, including synergy tracking and value creation initiatives (as required).
• Develop and maintain relationships with investment banks, corporate finance advisors, consultants and industry contacts.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Typically, 3 to 4 years of relevant experience gained in an Investment Banking or M&A environment.
• Strong financial modelling, valuation and analytical capabilities.
• Experience participating in live M&A transactions from evaluation through completion.
• Commercially minded with strong business judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to senior stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work under pressure.
• “Can do” attitude
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism.

ADVANTAGEOUS, BUT NOT ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• ACA, CFA or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Exposure to M&A activity within industrial, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure or other asset-intensive sectors.
• Exposure to international and cross-border transactions.
• Knowledge of debt financing, capital markets and acquisition financing structures.
• Additional European language skills.