Senior Leader - M&A and Corporate Development

Designation: Senior Leader – M&A, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Experience: 10+ years Function: Corporate Strategy, M&A & Investor Relations Role Overview We are seeking an experienced, commercially astute and hands-on professional to lead and support the organisation’s Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), corporate development and Investor Relations (IR) initiatives. The role will work closely with senior leadership on identifying and evaluating strategic opportunities, structuring transactions, conducting investment analysis, coordinating due diligence and managing relationships with promoters, investors, analysts and other key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of corporate M&A, financial analysis, accounting and transaction execution, complemented by the relationship-building skills required to engage with diverse stakeholders. Familiarity with the business services industry would be an advantage. We are looking for someone who combines the energy and agility to drive transactions with the maturity, credibility and commercial judgement to engage confidently with senior business leaders and investors. The candidate must be willing to travel extensively, where required, and be comfortable operating in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment. Key Responsibilities 1. M&A Strategy, Deal Origination & Execution Identify, evaluate and pursue strategic acquisition, merger, investment and business expansion opportunities aligned with the organisation’s growth objectives. Engage with promoters, business owners, investment bankers, advisors and potential partners to explore and develop transaction opportunities. Undertake preliminary screening and detailed evaluation of target companies, assessing strategic fit, business fundamentals, financial performance, growth potential and key risks. Structure transactions and support negotiations on deal terms, valuation, commercial arrangements and transaction frameworks. Drive transaction workstreams from initial opportunity assessment through due diligence, internal approvals and deal closure. Build and maintain a pipeline of potential acquisition targets and strategic investment opportunities. 2. Investment Analysis & Investment Committee (IC) Presentations Prepare initial opportunity assessments and detailed investment analyses for consideration by senior management and the Investment Committee. Develop and review financial models, valuation analyses, business projections, scenario assessments and investment return calculations. Prepare comprehensive IC notes, transaction memoranda, management presentations and investment recommendations. Evaluate the financial and strategic rationale for proposed transactions, including synergies, risks, integration considerations and value-creation opportunities. Present findings and recommendations clearly, objectively and confidently to senior leadership, incorporating feedback into investment decisions. 3. Financial Analysis, Accounting & Due Diligence Demonstrate a strong understanding of financial statements, accounting principles, P&L analysis, balance sheets and cash flow statements. Assess the financial health, earnings quality, working capital, cash flows, liabilities and underlying business performance of target companies. Actively support and coordinate financial, commercial, tax, legal and operational due diligence with internal teams and external advisors. Identify financial, operational and commercial risks, accounting discrepancies and potential deal-breakers during the diligence process. Challenge assumptions, validate information and translate due diligence findings into actionable inputs for valuation, negotiations and deal structuring. Ensure robust tracking of diligence findings, transaction milestones, dependencies and closure requirements. 4. Investor Relations & Stakeholder Management Support the development and execution of the organisation’s Investor Relations strategy and investor communication initiatives. Build and nurture relationships with investors, analysts, promoters, business owners, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders. Develop investor presentations, business performance updates, financial narratives and other stakeholder-facing materials in collaboration with senior management. Communicate the organisation’s strategy, business performance, growth plans and investment rationale with clarity and credibility. Support investor meetings, analyst interactions, business discussions and other strategic engagements. Ensure consistency, accuracy and quality of information shared with relevant stakeholders, in coordination with the appropriate internal teams. 5. Business Research & Strategic Advisory Track industry developments, market trends, valuation benchmarks, transaction activity and competitor movements. Develop an understanding of the business services sector, including its operating models, revenue drivers, profitability metrics, customer dynamics and consolidation opportunities. Identify emerging sectors, adjacent business opportunities and potential platforms for inorganic growth. Provide data-backed insights and strategic recommendations to support management decisions on acquisitions, investments and business expansion. 6. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with senior leadership and multiple internal functions to drive strategic initiatives and transaction execution. Coordinate with finance, legal, operations, business teams and external advisors to ensure timely delivery of transaction requirements. Manage multiple priorities and complex workstreams while maintaining high standards of analysis, confidentiality and execution. Demonstrate ownership, sound judgement, cultural adaptability and the ability to work effectively across different organisational styles and stakeholder groups. Travel as required to meet promoters, investors, target companies, advisors and other business stakeholders. Desired Candidate Profile 10+ years of relevant experience in corporate M&A, corporate development, investment banking, transaction advisory, private equity or a closely related function. Demonstrated experience in evaluating and executing M&A transactions, including financial analysis, valuation, deal structuring and due diligence. Strong understanding of accounting, financial statements, P&L analysis, cash flows and business economics. Proven ability to prepare investment assessments and detailed IC notes, and to present recommendations to senior decision-makers. Experience in Investor Relations, investor engagement, analyst interactions or senior stakeholder communication is essential. Exposure to the business services industry, particularly asset-light or people-intensive service businesses, would be advantageous. Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage with promoters, investors, analysts and senior executives. Willingness to travel frequently and participate in face-to-face business and transaction discussions. Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and detailed analytical work. High levels of integrity, discretion, cultural sensitivity and professional maturity. Educational Qualifications CA, MBA (Finance), CFA or an equivalent qualification in Finance, Business or a related discipline. Strong transaction experience and demonstrable financial and commercial acumen will be key selection criteria. Key Success Factors Ability to independently drive M&A opportunities from evaluation to execution. Quality and rigour of investment analysis and IC recommendations. Effectiveness in structuring deals and managing due diligence. Strength of relationships with promoters, investors and other external stakeholders. Ability to collaborate with senior leadership and multiple internal functions. Sound judgement, cultural compatibility and a high degree of ownership.