Salary : 110,000 - 120,000 EUR

I’m partnering with a high-growth, PE-backed Insurance business in Hesse that is executing a multi-acquisition buy-and-build strategy. With a focus on scalable growth, operational excellence, and strategic acquisitions, the company is establishing itself as a key player in the German and European insurance landscape

As the company scales, they are looking bring in a Controller to  ensure robust financial management across a rapidly expanding business.

This is a high-visibility role with ownership over the controlling function and oversight of a growing team. You will balance hands-on operational controlling with strategic input into group-level financial planning, M&A integration, and performance management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and lead the controlling function across group entities
• Own budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting processes
• Develop financial KPIs and dashboards to support decision-making
• Conduct variance, profitability, and performance analysis across business units
• Support M&A transactions including due diligence and post-merger integration
• Drive implementation of controlling tools, systems, and process improvements
• Serve as a key finance business partner to the CFO, CEO, and investors

Candidate Profile:

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in controlling or FP&A, preferably in a Insurance/PE Backed business - plus Financial Services/ Big4 / Auditing / Consulting experience.
• Track record of supporting M&A and integration in a fast-paced or PE-backed setting
• Strong background in financial services or insurance preferred
• Experience working in a private equity environment or a transaction-heavy setting
• Excellent command of financial modeling, data analysis, and BI/reporting tools
• Strategic mindset with a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach
• LucaNet experience is a big big plus
• Hands-on mentality with team leadership experience
• Fluent in German

Job Title: Head of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) - High Volume Acquisitions & Professional Services

Overview

We are seeking an accomplished and driven Head of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) to spearhead our aggressive acquisition strategy, with a primary focus on high-volume transactions in white-collar service industries—including Accounting, Legal, and Consulting. In this role, you will strategically identify, evaluate, and integrate acquisition opportunities that expand our professional services footprint and drive sustained organizational growth. This is a senior leadership position that requires a hands-on, results-oriented professional with deep expertise in fast-paced, high-complexity environments, and significant exposure to C-Suite decision-makers.

Our organization is committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We're looking for a leader who can bring this commitment to life while driving transformative M&A initiatives.

Salary

Salary range: £120k - £150k + bonus

Responsibilities

Strategy & Execution:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive M&A strategy to support high-volume acquisitions with a focus on Accounting, Legal, Consulting, and similar professional service sectors.
• Identify and assess potential acquisition targets that align with organizational growth goals, particularly in fragmented markets primed for roll-up strategies.
• Lead all aspects of M&A execution, including strategic rationale development, valuation modeling, due diligence, deal negotiation, and integration planning.

Deal Leadership:

• Manage the end-to-end M&A lifecycle—from pipeline building to deal close—across multiple active transactions at varying levels of complexity.
• Act as the primary liaison with external stakeholders such as investment banks, advisors, private equity firms, and legal counsel to ensure seamless transaction execution.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Legal, Finance, Human Resources, Operations) to navigate regulatory, tax, and compliance matters tailored to service-based industries.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with leadership in Accounting, Legal, and Consulting teams to evaluate sector-specific needs and maximize synergies through M&A initiatives.
• Establish robust post-merger integration plans that harmonize workflows, optimize resources, and ensure cultural alignment across newly acquired entities.
• Present strategic updates, detailed performance metrics, and actionable recommendations to the executive team and board of directors.

Industry Expertise:

• Maintain an acute awareness of trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging opportunities in the professional services industry to inform and adjust M&A strategies.
• Foster innovation in deal structures to unlock value while managing risks inherent to the acquisition of service-based businesses.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of structuring and executing multiple M&A deals within the Accounting, Legal, Consulting, or other white-collar service sectors, including experience with roll-ups or platform acquisition strategies.
• Expertise in managing high volumes of simultaneous transactions, including smaller acquisitions with rapid timelines.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a similar field; MBA or advanced degree highly desirable.
• Extensive experience navigating C-Suite communications and engaging with boards and senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of financial modeling, valuation methodologies, and due diligence processes specific to service-based industries.
• Demonstrated aptitude for leading cross-functional teams and working collaboratively across departments like Legal, HR, Finance, and Operations.
• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as guiding principles in team leadership and decision-making.

Key Skills

• Advanced M&A lifecycle management for professional services firms.
• Exceptional negotiation and decision-making abilities.
• Expertise in integrating service-based companies to realize operational synergies.
• Outstanding interpersonal and influence skills for managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Day-to-Day Activities

• Proactively manage a pipeline of acquisition opportunities, regularly meeting with external advisors, brokers, and industry stakeholders.
• Lead due diligence processes for active deals, collaborating with Legal and Finance on contractual, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
• Develop integration frameworks and transition plans tailored to the unique operational and cultural needs of professional service acquisitions.
• Oversee the preparation of financial models, valuations, and key performance metrics as part of executive-level presentations for deal approval.
• Analyze industry and market trends to identify untapped acquisition opportunities and develop data-driven recommendations.
• Coach and mentor M&A team members and foster the development of in-house expertise.
• Conduct routine check-ins with acquired firms to evaluate outcomes, assess roadblocks, and drive measurable results post-integration.

This is a unique opportunity to lead meaningful growth efforts within the dynamic and evolving professional services industry. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and with creative, forward-thinking perspectives to apply. If you're ready to build an M&A function that shapes the future of Accounting, Legal, and Consulting services, we’d love to hear from you!

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Apply today to shape the next chapter of innovation and growth in professional services.

Our Client is a highly entrepreneurial Specialist Services business that has recently expanded through acquisition and organic growth. They have now received further support and investment from a Private Equity Fund to help with more rapid expansion. In order to achieve this they now require a hands-on yet strategic CFO who can help the business to achieve success on this next stage of its journey.

Reporting to the CEO and working with a strong leadership team, including an M&A Director, you will manage a small but capable team and be responsible for all areas of Finance with a particular focus upon:

• Ensuring that the business is prepared for M&A processes and that new acquisitions are integrated successfully into the Group
• Develop and enhance Monthly management and internal reporting for insightful decision making
• Help manage costs and look for synergies and efficiencies as the group expands and integrates
• Ensure strong cash-management in a leveraged environment and build strong Treasury management and cash-pooling

Key Requirements for the role:

• Essential: Prior experience of Private Equity and leverage environment
• Essential: Exposure to M&A and be able to demonstrate effective integration of acquisitions
• Essential: fluent in Italian
• Desirable: Services experience ideally within Financial Services or related
• Desirable: Evidence of operating within an entrepreneurial and fast growth environment.