Director, M&A Deal Origination

Director, M&A Deal Origination | 12-Month Fixed Term Contract UK / Europe / US East Coast (Flexible)

We're working with a global listed healthcare business on a confidential search for a Director of M&A Deal Origination, a 12-month fixed-term contract sitting within their corporate development function.

The role

This is a deal origination and relationship-building position, not a traditional M&A advisory or execution role. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying and approaching off-market acquisition targets, qualifying opportunities against a defined investment thesis, and managing relationships with business owners and founders through to the point where the corporate development team can take over.

Day-to-day, you'll be conducting primary and secondary research to uncover prospects, attending industry events, engaging directly with majority shareholders and leadership teams, and presenting findings and investment theses back to senior stakeholders on a regular cadence.

What they're looking for

• 3+ years' experience in healthcare, life sciences or a closely related sector
• A commercial or business development background — lead generation and account management experience is particularly relevant
• Strong analytical capability you'll be assessing targets from a financial and strategic perspective, not just a commercial one
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build credibility quickly at senior levels
• A science or healthcare-related degree is desirable but not essential

The opportunity

For the right candidate, this is a rare chance to sit inside a group level M&A function and understand how an inorganic strategy is built and executed from the inside with the scope to make a tangible impact on the business's acquisition pipeline over a defined 12-month period.