Coprorate Development & Investments Manager

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The role Corporate development is a central part of the Financial Times Group’s growth strategy. Corporate Development & Investments (“CD&I”) is a small but high profile function reporting jointly to the FT CFO and the Honorary Chairman of the FT and Special Executive Adviser to Nikkei.

The team is responsible for M&A (FT Group and Nikkei outside of Japan), FT Ventures (FT's Corporate Venture arm) and associated Strategic Partnerships, FT Portfolio Management, and internal investments assessments.

We are looking for a Corporate Development & Investments Manager who is an innovative, creative, analytical and strategic thinker who can demonstrate passion about the future of our businesses. The ideal candidate enjoys solving problems and working alongside others, can take direction but is also proactive and is willing and able to work under their own initiative. It is essential that the candidate is a team player, is able to build strong professional relationships and has excellent communication skills.

The role will involve significant exposure to the FT’s and Nikkei’s leadership team and various functions throughout the FT and Nikkei Group, and so an ability to establish credibility in working with senior management is essential.

Key responsibilities

The Manager will be supporting the Corporate Development & Investments team with:

Sourcing corporate development opportunities - including acquisition and investment target sourcing;

End-to-end contribution to M&A, FT Ventures investments and disposals - including business valuation modelling, business plan analysis and pricing, due diligence and transaction coordination, and contract negotiation;

Leading the financial and valuation analysis of business opportunities and, applying critical thinking to the business case and how it progresses the FT and Nikkei’s strategies;

Leading portfolio review projects and reviewing investment proposals;

Leading thematic research projects and portfolio management;

Mentoring more junior team members;

Preparation of board papers and any documentation required for CFO, CEO, FT Board and Nikkei approval processes.

Required skills and experience

The ideal candidate will have strong core technical skills acquired during active participation in M&A transactions, particularly with respect to financial modelling;

Candidates will have at least 8 years relevant experience gained working in an investment bank or M&A advisory firm, the corporate finance division of a large accounting firm, a private equity or venture capital investor or within the M&A/ Corporate Finance/ Corporate…