Transactions Services Associate

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we're building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance:
Location:
Cirencester Office

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

Employment Type:
Permanent

Seniority:
Associate

The role:
To support the Cirencester based Corporate Investment team at St. James's Place in the execution of investment activities within the Group.

The Cirencester Corporate Investment team is responsible for ensuring transactions are effectively managed from the initial review through to completion and successful integration into Business as Usual. Ensuring they are delivered efficiently, within the Groups risk appetite and to budget.

In this role you will be required to work either independently as a Subject Matter Expert or on ad-hoc projects or in a supporting capacity on larger projects to ensure the end-to-end management, review, documentation, approval and implementation of acquisitions are delivered for all stakeholders.

Part-time working would be considered for this role.

What you'll be doing:
*Mergers & Acquisitions*

• Produce detailed project plans which addresses the key risks and assimilates information to key stakeholders. Responsibility for adapting the plan as the need arises or focus of project requires;
• Lead the overall project management to help deliver desired outcomes for stakeholders, in accordance with the agreed timetable and Group risk appetite. Liaising directly with subject matter experts as required and leveraging their support on a project-by-project basis to deliver the result.
• Ability to discuss, influence and shape issues with subject matter experts to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion which meets the needs of the business;
• Represent the division in wider project discussions to ensure the interests of the Strategic Investment team are taken Into account in planning acquisition activity;
• Produce complex and accurate financial models and forecasts to run different scenarios. Comfortable to present the results to stakeholders and adapt approach accordingly;
• Take ownership of the full financial due diligence on target recruits and acquisitions. Working with little guidance, ensure the remedy or mitigation plans are executed where adverse findings are identified to protect the interests of the group alongside subject matter experts;
• Produce board reports and memos and legal agreements (with the assistance of in-house legal council) to a high level ensuring factual and literacy accuracy, to tight deadlines. Able to comfortably present these to both Internal and external (e.g. Partners, Solicitors) where required;
• Keep appraised all internal and external stakeholders to ensure they are kept informed of progress and expected timetables. Lead all parties calls with Group Finance, Partner Finance and external solicitors & accountants where required;

*Portfolio Management*

• Support newly acquired company board with general integration activities, with a focus on financial and commercial activities, supporting business decisions with sound rationale and analysis, working in conjunction with the operational support team;
• Produce detailed annual budgets and forecasts to monitor the financial performance of acquired entities and contribute towards the company's strategy. Report key financial themes to the company board meetings and, where applicable, explore alternative capital realisation opportunities; and
• Contribute to the division by supporting corporate development activities, largely working independently with little guidance. Independently leading on ad-hoc due diligence projects as the division requires;

Who we're looking for:
A self-motivated self starter with an inquisitive nature, including:

Essential Criteria

• Post qualification experience following qualification in an accounting or similar professional qualification in a finance discipline;
• Strong problem solving skills;
• Advanced skills In MS Excel (Pivot Tables, LookUps, IF-Function etc.);
• Experience of conducting due diligence or audits on corporates;
• Report writing experience

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with Visio, PowerBI;
• Project management experience

Special Requirements:

• Occasional work offsite and travel to other St. James's Place locations – 5% to 10% of time.

What's in it for you?
We reward you for the work you do,
whether that's through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.

We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:

• Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
• Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
• 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)

Reasonable Adjustments
We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What's next?
If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you Please submit an application by clicking 'apply' below and our team will be in touch.

As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.