Head of M&A – Financial Services (East Coast - U.S.) 

Our client, a high-growth, investor-backed financial services firm based in the East Coast of the U.S., is seeking a Head of M&A to lead its inorganic growth strategy. With a strong capital base and ambitious plans, the business is poised for significant expansion and is looking for a senior M&A leader to partner closely with the CEO, Board, and investors to drive value creation.

The Role: Strategic Growth Leadership

The Head of M&A will be responsible for shaping and executing the company's acquisition roadmap, driving proactive origination across the financial services landscape (e.g., wealth management, specialty finance, insurance, regional banking, or payments), and leading transactions end-to-end. This is a highly strategic role requiring a balance of vision, execution, and influence. The successful candidate will:

• Define and Evolve M&A Strategy: Develop and continuously refine the M&A strategy to align with corporate objectives and market trends within the financial services sector.

• Originate Opportunities: Proactively source, evaluate, and prioritize acquisition and partnership opportunities.

• Lead Transaction Execution: Drive due diligence, comprehensive financial modeling, valuation, and complex deal negotiations.

• Manage Deal Structuring & Financing: Oversee deal structuring, financing arrangements, and legal documentation in collaboration with internal and external counsel.

• Support Value Creation: Facilitate thorough integration planning and ensure the successful realization of long-term strategic and financial value from acquired businesses.

• Cultivate External Relationships: Build and maintain deep relationships with founders, intermediaries, investment banks, and private equity funds relevant to the financial services industry.

• Present to Leadership: Clearly articulate strategy and present compelling deal cases to the CEO, Board of Directors, and key investors.

Candidate Profile: Commercially Driven M&A Leader

We are seeking a commercially astute, strategically minded M&A professional with a strong understanding of the financial services industry.

Required Experience:

• Significant M&A Experience: Extensive background (8+ years preferred) in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or strategic consulting, with a focus on financial services deals.

• Proven Deal Track Record: A demonstrable history of successfully sourcing, structuring, and executing transactions from initial contact through to closing. Background in buy and Build roll-ups.

• Financial & Analytical Acumen: Exceptional financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills, with the ability to critically challenge assumptions and drive strategic alignment across diverse business units.

• Executive Engagement: Experience engaging credibly and effectively with Boards, C-suite executives, and sophisticated external stakeholders.

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field is required; an MBA or CFA designation is strongly preferred.

Role Overview:

We’re looking for a senior leader to drive strategic growth through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. This role will lead the full M&A lifecycle—from identifying opportunities to integrating acquisitions—while also overseeing strategic collaborations that align with the company’s long-term goals.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in M&A, including sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and integrating deals. This position is part of the senior leadership team and reports to the CFO, working closely with various departments and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

M&A Strategy & Execution:

• Develop and lead the company’s M&A strategy in line with broader business goals.

• Research markets and maintain a pipeline of potential acquisition targets.

• Build relationships with key executives at target companies.

• Evaluate acquisition opportunities for strategic fit and value creation.

• Lead negotiations, due diligence, and deal execution.

• Partner with internal teams to design and implement integration plans.

• Coordinate cross-functional efforts during the diligence and integration phases.

• Prepare materials to support internal decision-making and approvals.

M&A Manager – PE-Backed Roll-Up (Manchester)
Target Salary: £50k base

The Opportunity
We’re working with a fast-growing PE-backed platform business near Manchester, pursuing an ambitious roll-up strategy across services, education, and healthcare. This is a hands-on M&A role, ideal for candidates looking to move from corporate finance, transaction services, or advisory into industry. You will gain broad exposure across the full transaction lifecycle, from deal origination to post-deal integration, and play a key role in driving the company’s growth agenda.

Responsibilities

• Support all aspects of M&A transactions, including planning, execution, and post-deal activities.

• Prepare financial models, valuations, and investment papers to support decision-making.

• Conduct market and industry research, analyzing growth prospects, competitors, and sector opportunities.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including advisors, to drive deals forward.

• Assist with integration planning and post-deal performance tracking.

• Contribute to negotiations and strategic discussions to support corporate expansion.

Your Profile

• Degree in finance, economics, business, or a related discipline.

• 2–3 years’ experience in M&A, corporate finance, or transaction services (Big 4, mid-market, or advisory firms preferred).

• Strong financial modelling, valuation, and analytical skills.

• Ideally, exposure to PE-backed companies or buy-and-build platforms.

• Commercially minded, proactive, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Fluent in English; other languages a plus but not required.

Why This Role?
This is a unique opportunity to step out of practice and into a PE-backed buy-and-build platform in Manchester, gain end-to-end M&A experience, and work closely with senior leadership and investors. You’ll join a growing, high-performing team and be part of shaping the company’s acquisitive growth strategy.