Vice President - Mergers & Acquisition

Position Overview :

We are seeking an experienced VP M&A to lead the company's mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments, divestments and corporate development initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in end-to-end M&A transactions, with significant exposure to listed companies, multiple industries, corporate finance, valuation, transaction structuring and strategic investments.

Role & responsibilities :

- Develop and execute the organization's M&A and corporate development strategy in alignment with the overall business strategy.

- Identify acquisition, merger, joint venture, strategic investment and divestment opportunities.

- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of potential acquisition targets and strategic opportunities.

- Evaluate opportunities across domestic and international markets.

- Develop detailed investment theses based on strategic fit, market attractiveness, competitive positioning and value-creation potential.

- Monitor industry consolidation, emerging business models, competitors and potential acquisition opportunities.

- Work closely with the Promoter, CEO, CFO and Board on strategic investment decisions.

- Lead transactions through the complete M&A lifecycle, including :

i. Origination

ii. Screening

iii. Strategic Evaluation

iv. Valuation

v. Due Diligence

vi. Structuring

vii. Negotiation

viii. Documentation

ix. Regulatory Approvals

x. Closing

xi. Integration

- Lead transaction processes from initial opportunity assessment through financial close.

- Coordinate internal stakeholders and external advisors throughout the transaction lifecycle.

- Manage transaction timelines, milestones, deliverables and critical decision points.

- Ensure appropriate transaction governance and documentation.

- Identify and proactively manage transaction risks and execution issues.

- Identify potential acquisition targets based on strategic priorities and investment criteria.

- Conduct preliminary assessment of target businesses, industries and management teams.

- Analyze business models, competitive advantages, market positioning and growth potential.

- Assess strategic fit with the existing portfolio/business platform.

- Develop acquisition proposals and investment papers for senior management and Board consideration.

- Lead financial evaluation and valuation of potential targets.

- Develop sophisticated financial models including :

i. DCF

ii. Trading comparables

iii. Precedent transactions

iv. LBO / transaction-return analysis, where relevant

v. Synergy analysis

vi. Scenario and sensitivity analysis

- Assess revenue quality, EBITDA, cash flows, working capital, debt profile and capital requirements.

- Determine appropriate valuation ranges and transaction economics.

- Evaluate potential accretion/dilution and return on invested capital.

- Identify value-creation opportunities and quantify potential synergies.

- Challenge assumptions and ensure investment decisions are supported by robust financial analysis.

- Lead and coordinate comprehensive due diligence across :

i. Financial

ii. Tax

iii. Legal

iv. Commercial

v. Operational

vi. Regulatory

vii. Technology

viii. Human Resources

ix. ESG, where applicable

- Work closely with investment bankers, transaction advisors, lawyers, auditors and specialist consultants.

- Identify material risks, contingent liabilities and potential value leakage.

- Evaluate quality of earnings and sustainability of the target's financial performance.

- Translate due-diligence findings into transaction strategy and negotiation points.

- Develop appropriate transaction structures considering strategic, financial, tax, legal and regulatory implications.

- Evaluate structures including :

i. Share acquisitions

ii. Asset acquisitions

iii. Business transfers

iv. Mergers / amalgamations

v. Joint ventures

vi. Strategic investments

vii. Structured transactions

viii. Divestments / exits

- Lead negotiations on valuation, consideration, deal terms, representations and warranties, indemnities, earn-outs and other commercial provisions.

- Work closely with legal counsel on transaction documentation including term sheets, LOIs, SPAs, SHAs and other definitive agreements.

- Protect the organization's strategic and financial interests throughout negotiations.

- The candidate must have meaningful experience working on transactions involving listed companies, preferably in India and/or international markets.

- Experience should include interaction with relevant stakeholders and advisors such as :

i. SEBI / regulatory authorities

ii. Stock exchanges

iii. Merchant bankers

iv. Investment banks

v. Legal advisors

vi. Statutory auditors

vii. Valuation advisors

viii. Independent directors / Board committees

ix. Company Secretarial and compliance teams

- The candidate should understand the transaction implications of applicable securities and corporate regulations, including areas such as takeovers, acquisition of control, disclosures, schemes of arrangement, preferential issues and other listed-company corporate actions, as applicable.

- Experience in transactions involving changes in control, substantial acquisitions, mergers, demergers or other strategic corporate restructuring will be highly valued.

- Prepare investment memoranda, transaction papers and strategic recommendations for the Board and senior management.

- Present transaction rationale, valuation, risks, returns and proposed structures to senior stakeholders.

- Work closely with Promoters, Board members, CEOs and CFOs during strategic transactions.

- Provide independent and objective perspectives on transaction attractiveness and risks.

- Manage highly sensitive and commercially critical information with discretion and sound judgment.

- Work with business leadership to develop post-acquisition integration plans.

- Establish clear value-creation objectives and synergy targets.

- Monitor realization of identified synergies.

- Support integration of operations, finance, technology, people and organizational structures where required.

- Track post-deal performance against the original investment thesis.

- Identify corrective actions where expected value creation is not being achieved.

- Evaluate minority and majority strategic investments.

- Monitor performance of existing strategic investments and portfolio companies.

- Assess opportunities for additional investment, consolidation or exit.

- Develop recommendations for portfolio optimization and capital allocation.

- Evaluate strategic partnerships, joint ventures and alliances.

Preferred candidate profile :

- 15-20 years of relevant experience in M&A, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Corporate Development, Corporate Finance or Transaction Advisory.

- Proven track record of successfully executed M&A transactions.

- Strong expertise in valuation, financial modelling, transaction structuring, due diligence and negotiations.

- Significant exposure to transactions involving listed companies.

- Experience working with SEBI, stock exchanges, merchant bankers, investment banks and legal advisors will be highly valued.

- Strong understanding of corporate finance, capital allocation and strategic investments.

- Exposure to M&A transactions across multiple industries/sectors will be preferred.

- Experience with cross-border M&A will be an advantage.

- Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication and stakeholder-management skills.

- Strong executive presence with the ability to present and influence at Board and Promoter level.

Preferred Background :

Candidates from Investment Banking, Private Equity, Big 4 Deals/Transaction Advisory, Corporate M&A or leading listed corporate groups with substantial transaction execution experience would be preferred.

Key Requirement :

We are looking for a deal-oriented M&A leader with demonstrated transaction execution experience, particularly involving listed companies and preferably multiple industries/sectors.

Qualification : MBA / CA / CFA / Finance-related qualification preferred.