Venture Life

Head of M&A

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the execution of M&A transactions, from deal origination to completion, with a particular focus on buy-side transactions.
• Work closely with the CEO and senior leadership to identify and assess acquisition targets that align with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Conduct detailed financial analysis, due diligence, valuation of potential acquisitions and liaise with internal stakeholders to identify synergies.
• Provide recommendations and insights based on market trends, competitive landscape, and financial performance to help guide decision-making.
• Drafting and review of key documentation including teasers, information memoranda, financial models, term sheets / NBO’s, management presentations and potential pitch decks.
• Assist in the full transaction execution process, including scoping and co-ordination of due diligence phases (often acting as the main contact person), data-room management, procurement of W&I insurance (if applicable) and obtaining commercial proposals from external DD providers.
• Liaise with external advisors, including legal, financial, tax and company secretarial to ensure the smooth execution of transactions.
• Monitor and report on deal progress, ensuring that all key milestones are met.
• Drafting of external deal announcements and internal communications.
• Project management of the post-acquisition integration process, including preparation of migration plans for transitional services, ensuring a smooth transition and realisation of synergies – monitoring and reporting back to management on progress.
• Assist in identifying and evaluating potential divestitures or corporate restructuring opportunities.

Role Requirements

Qualifications and Training

• Qualified Accountant (ACA)
• University-level Education

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven experience in M&A, ideally in a corporate or buy-side advisory role.
• Experience in a Big accounting firm or investment bank is highly desirable.
• International deal experience is preferred, with exposure to cross-border transactions.
• Experience with public companies is a plus but not essential.

Key Skills Required

• Strong financial modelling, valuation, due diligence, project management and presentational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with senior executives, external advisors, and stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with M&A-specific software/tools is an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and commercial acumen.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate clearly to leadership team and have confidence to challenge, influence and support at all levels.

Demonstrable Behaviours

• Enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to work independently and proactively without extensive supervision.
• Personal innovation and passion.
• Capable of building relationships with both key Finance and non-Finance stakeholders.
• Driven individual who is constantly trying to improve procedures and anything that can improve efficiency.
• Willing to adapt to changing priorities and flexible enough to respond to the demands of a growing organisation.
• Ability to work to agreed deadlines and prioritise workload.

Environment and Culture

VLG is a fast-paced, determined, and agile business. Commercially led, the current structure of our teams enables quick decision-making and the opportunity to work within a broad and varied remit.

Our culture gives our people the opportunity to influence and collaborate in a friendly and open environment. We also recognise and develop potential within our teams.

We look for the following interpersonal skills in our people which demonstrate behaviours representing our values of partnership, empowerment, precision, and potential:

• Customer focussed – We recognise that our customers are key to our success
• Innovation – We like our employees to seek out better ways of working
• Strong decision-making capabilities – Ability to meet multiple demands and be deadline-driven
• An active listener – Using coaching and mentoring as a preferred style of managing
• Committed to developing their team – and the wider business, capable of and willing to participate in continuous learning
• Competent at managing change – independently and at a team level
• Willing to “pitch in” – getting involved at all levels
• Ambassadors – To be always ambassadors of VLG
• Able to work under pressure – and maintain a positive manner