Chief Corporate Development Officer

Chief Corporate Development Officer – Director

Location: Mayfair - Hybrid
Type: Permanent

Unity Advisory is a challenger advisory firm.

Built for the AI-enabled world, we operate a lean, conflict-free, and client-centric model that embeds AI across all workstreams.

With no audit practice, we do not have the audit-related conflicts which allows us to focus entirely on delivering value to clients with agility and innovative, outcome-based commercial models. Our culture is highly collaborative and flat-structured and free of traditional partner P&L silos – pursuing the best outcomes for our clients.

The Role

As we seek to scale and grow at pace, organic investment, team hires and originating and implementing strategic and bolt-on acquisitions across services and innovative products, across the UK and internationally, will become an important part of our growth strategy.

We are looking for a Chief Corporate Development Officer to join our management team and lead the Corporate Development function. You will report to the CEO, working with the rest of the leadership team and the Private Equity sponsor to shape and deliver on our investment strategy and acquisition agenda. You will bring strategic insight and a proven track record of leading a corporate development function in a professional services environment to originate and deliver high-impact acquisitions at pace.

Our culture is highly collaborative and flat-structured where creativity and new ideas are actively encouraged to help us grow.

What You'll Do

Working with the rest of the leadership team, the Private Equity sponsor and harnessing the power of technology and AI, you will be responsible for leading and directing the following:

• Establish the small and impactful Corporate Development Function – champion and embed AI and technology to enable efficient and effective ways of working, setting objectives, market activation, and preparing the firm to execute.

• Investment and Acquisition Strategy - Build-out of the firm's investment, team hire and acquisition strategy.

• Opportunity Identification and Deal Sourcing - Leverage and expand your industry network to source team hires and M&A opportunities, assessing potential targets and recommending investments to the board.

• Due Diligence - Lead external advisers and internal teams to evaluate risks and opportunities, overseeing comprehensive due diligence processes analysing financial, people, operational, tax, legal, and regulatory aspects of transactions.

• Negotiation and Deal Structuring - Lead negotiations with target companies to secure favourable terms and oversee legal advisers and internal teams to align deals with strategic objectives.

• Stakeholder Management – Lead discussions with the leadership team and the private equity sponsor to shape deal tactics and build consensus.

• Post-Merger Integration – Oversee smooth integration of acquired business, monitor success for early identification of areas of additional value or slippage and actions to address.

• Work closely with your peers on the Management Team to support the sustainable growth of the business.

What You Bring

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in M&A from an advisory, corporate development, investment banking, or private equity environment, with at least 4 years in a corporate development role.

• Extensive experience in professional services, international and multinational M&A situations and working with private equity.

• A proven track record of leading end-to-end deal processes, reporting to the C-suite.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deal situations in a fast-changing environment.

• Commercially astute with strategic thinking and strong problem-solving capabilities.

• Curious about emerging technologies and passionate about the opportunity and application within a professional services environment.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate financial and operational performance metrics.

• A desire to continually learn, exceptional communication, presentation skills and negotiation skills.

• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and results driven.

• Capable of working autonomously while building strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders.

• Qualified accountant or similar qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CFA or equivalent).

Nice to Have

• International corporate development experience within a large professional services organisation or within a regulated profession.

Working at Unity Advisory

A truly hybrid and flexible working environment. We offer the opportunity to be at the forefront of AI-driven advisory services. You'll be part of a fast paced and high impact Corporate Development function, empowered to shape how we grow our business. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing business and accelerate your Corporate Development career.

Additional Information

At Unity Advisory, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we will accommodate any suitable candidate requiring assistance to attend or conduct an interview. If you need any adjustments or support, please let us know when either scheduling your interview or in your application cover letter. We are dedicated to ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and are here to support you throughout the process.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept unsolicited CVs from third-party agencies.