Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

Robert Half Finance & Accounting are recruiting for a very exciting and rare opportunity for a Head of Mergers & Acquisitions position with a global consultancy firm based in Central Bristol. £80,000-£90,000 +20% bonus and benefits.

The Role

It's not often that opportunities like this arise in the South West. Reporting into the CEO, The Head of Mergers & Acquisitions will be tasked with setting up and delivering the organisation's M&A strategy globally. You will be responsible for 'cradle-to-grave' acquisitions, from building the target pipeline through to closing the deals and spearheading the integration programs. The firm is committed to its growth strategy, and is targeting closing between 3 and 4 acquisitions per year, with a typical deal size of $3-$6m.

This role's primary objective is to work with the CEO, CFO, COO and key operational stakeholders to agree target and focus countries / areas to maximise benefit, and to actively source, build relationships and negotiate with potential acquisition candidates globally, ultimately to agree intent to purchase. Following this stage, the role will then lead on closing the deal, working closely with key stake holders and post closure, will sponsor the post purchase integration program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Understanding the context of business opportunities, gathering insight, and presenting your recommendations back to senior executives (CEO, CFO, COO, Head of Finance).
• Responsible for the preparation of compelling business cases in support of worldwide growth opportunities and presenting these to the senior leadership team for approval to proceed.
• Develop supportable, challenging yet attainable Revenue and Margin assumptions. Size all assumed synergies and integration costs.
• Evaluate, test and size the efforts required for the post-acquisition integration plan.
• Apply proper GAAP/IFRS Accounting treatment to International transactions. Define and document accounting issues, general as well as, purchase accounting considerations.
• Perform financial modelling, cash flow projections and valuation analysis for proposed targets to support the proposed purchase price and structure.
• Working with senior leadership to negotiate and agree transaction structures and assist with price and contract negotiations, from LOI through the purchase agreement stages;
• Manage the financial due diligence process on transactions, including the selection and direction of the audit, tax and legal DD firms. Incorporate findings into the business case and valuation.
• Drive and own the deal closing process, working with senior leadership, legal and compliance groups together with managing groups of external service providers covering all separate lines of diligence;
• Sponsor the integration program, working with the project office and the business workstream owners, targeting a typical '100 day to close' integration cycle;
• Maintain and own the relationship with the principle of the target business from location, to deal development to integration closure, and providing a 'steady pair of hands' to support the change agenda.

Your Profile

• A qualified accountant with purchase accounting experience together with experience of building acquisition business cases;
• Prior M&A experience essential, ideally a candidate that has experience in a large firms M&A Transaction Advisory practice or leading a business's M&A strategy in industry.
• Prior experience in deal structuring, negotiating and legal issues;
• Knowledge of valuation methodologies
• Strong project management skills
• Brings with them a strong understanding of international, and ideally a network of international accounting, compliance and advisory firms across US, Europe and Asia;
• Must have an ownership mind-set and will drive towards maximising the organisation's success through M&A.

The Company

Robert Half Finance & Accounting are recruiting for a very exciting and rare opportunity for a Head of Mergers & Acquisitions position with a global consultancy firm based in Central Bristol.

Salary & Benefits

The Head of Mergers & Acquisitions will be offered a salary between £80,000-£90,000 + 20% bonus and benefits.

Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to equal opportunity and diversity. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply.