Exova Group plc (www.exova.com) is a leader in the provision of high value-added, technically demanding testing services with a turnover in excess of £300 million. The company operates 138 facilities in 33 countries, with 4,300 experts which serve c23,000 customers across diverse end markets including aerospace, oil & gas and industrials, fire testing, environmental and infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, among others. The business provides a complex range of testing services which are often mandatory for its customers.

The Group has established a strong in-house Corporate Development team and developed a platform for complementing its organic growth through the acquisition of high performing, complementary businesses to extend the service range and the global reach of the business. In the last 2-3 years, the Corporate Development team has performed 10 transactions totaling over £100m and there is a major drive to significantly increase activity levels.

Person Specification

The Corporate Development Manager position requires an individual who is strong interpersonally, robust, flexible and possesses excellent technical accounting skills. This role is aimed at a professionally qualified accountant who is most likely to have trained through a large professional services firm where they will have been exposed to organisations of a similar size and complexity to Exova.

Due to the range of responsibilities and nature of deals (predominantly £3m-£30m), the preference is that candidates have worked within audit, transactional services (diligence) and M&A departments. This is very much an “end-to-end” role dealing with all aspects of the deal lifecycle, so it is crucial that applicants can demonstrate sufficient breadth to their skills and experience.

• Degree qualified, with at least 10+ years of experience, with demonstrated expertise in a finance or consulting environment with experience in transaction advisory services or similar ideally gained within the ‘Big 4’. Must have knowledge of the full M&A lifecycle process and have “hands-on” experience of commercial and financial due diligence.
• Self-starter with strong project management skills and ability to work in a fast paced, resource light environment with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective networks and working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Excellent financial modelling skills. A clear and thorough understanding and experience of modelling techniques used to project operating and financial performance is essential.
• Highly developed analytical skills, demonstrates good judgment and able to quickly establish credibility.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), influencing and interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to interact and work with a broad range of stakeholders; tactful, mature and flexible approach.

Job Description

The role works alongside another Corporate Development Manager and reports to the Corporate Development Director, while working with key members of the Executive Committee, their leadership teams and key external advisors. A critical focus of the role will be in relation to the development and execution of the overall M&A strategy and process across the Group, particularly in relation to due diligence and ensuring the effective facilitation and support of this.

• Work with sector management to research and identify targets.
• Engage with targets or with sell-side brokers to developing relationship.
• Evaluate targets for suitability.
• Perform commercial and financial diligence.
• Project manage the non-financial diligence process which is performed by internal resources.
• Manage negotiations and execute the transaction to completion.
• Handover to region and support post-transaction activities (completion accounts/earn-out/fair-value/intangible valuation/etc.).

First round interviews are with our retained advisors at Rutherford Cross. Final stages will involve meeting the Corporate Development Director and other members of the senior management.

Applications should be sent to [email protected]