Corporate Development Manager

As a Corporate Development Manager at The Private Office (TPO), you will play a key role in supporting the firm's strategic growth agenda through acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships, and financial planning activities. Reporting into the Commercial Director, you will help identify, assess and execute inorganic growth opportunities whilst also providing robust commercial insights to support decision-making across the business.

This is a highly visible role, sitting at the intersection of commercial strategy, M&A. The successful candidate will oversee financial analysis and due diligence on potential acquisitions, support integration activities, and lead a range of business intelligence initiatives including commercial analysis of TPO’s market-leading organic growth model, management reporting and long-term business planning.

The role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to help shape the future growth of one of the UK's leading and highest growth independent financial planning firms.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Development & M&A

• Evaluate acquisition, partnership and strategic investment opportunities aligned to The Private Office's growth strategy.

• Support the Commercial Director in developing and maintaining relationships with M&A advisors, wealth management boutiques, founders and industry participants.

• Support the preparation of investment cases, acquisition papers and recommendations for senior management and shareholders.

• Lead financial analysis and valuation assessments of prospective acquisition targets.

• Act as a point of contact for external due diligence providers and advisors throughout transaction processes.

• Coordinate internal stakeholders across finance, HR, operations, compliance and leadership teams during deal execution and liaise with external legal advisers where appropriate

• Support transaction negotiations, deal structuring and completion activities.

• Assist with post-acquisition integration planning, synergy tracking and performance monitoring.

• Monitor market developments across wealth management, financial planning and related professional services sectors.

Commercial Business Partner

• Provide financial and commercial insight to support strategic decision making and operational initiatives.

• Assist senior leadership in evaluating TPO’s organic growth engine and setting strategic priorities.

• Develop and enhance management reporting, KPI dashboards and board reporting packs.

• Produce financial models to support strategic decision-making, investment analysis and growth initiatives.

• Analyse business performance, identifying key trends, risks and opportunities.

• Analyse cash flow forecasting, profitability analysis and resource allocation decisions.

• Support long-range planning and scenario analysis to inform strategic priorities.

• Partner with business leaders to improve financial visibility and accountability across departments.

Qualifications & Experience

• High-quality Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional qualification preferred.

• 3-4 years' post-qualification experience including Corporate Development, M&A, Transaction Services, Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, FP&A or a related field.

• Experience supporting or executing M&A transactions and due diligence processes.

• Strong financial modelling, forecasting and valuation capabilities.

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate financial analysis into strategic recommendations.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial modelling.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Highly self-motivated with the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Ideal Background

We would be particularly interested in candidates currently working within:

• Transaction Services or Deal Advisory teams at a Big Four or leading advisory firm.

• Corporate Development teams within financial services, wealth management, insurance or professional services organisations.

• Investment Banking, M&A Advisory or Corporate Finance roles.

• FP&A functions with significant exposure to commercial business partnering and strategic projects.

Experience within wealth management, financial planning, asset management or broader financial services sectors would be advantageous but is not essential.