Corporate Finance Director

We have a unique opportunity for an ambitious Corporate Finance specialist to join our award-winning network of advisory professionals. Working closely with a Partner, you will take a lead role in the day-to-day execution of transactions, acting as the most senior individual within the growing M&A teams. This is a hands-on, client-facing role with genuine scope to influence how the team develops over time.

You’ll be trusted to run transactions, lead client relationships and play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the practice in either the Bristol or Northern Ireland area, with a clear route to partnership for the right individual.

You will join us initially as a salaried employee while you focus on building your network, converting internal leads and opportunities, and providing excellent client service. We will work with you to build a fully transparent roadmap to partnership, agreeing on key milestones and a tailored development programme to support you in achieving your goals.

To support your development, you will be provided with a dedicated coach and mentor who will guide and advise you, as well as skills training/masterclasses to develop your professional and leadership expertise. We will work with you to develop a bespoke PR plan to boost your network and profile, and we will meet with you regularly to build your business plan, preparing you for launching your own business as part of the Dow Schofield Watts group.

At Dow Schofield Watts, we are passionate about empowering entrepreneurial professionals to start and develop their own businesses. This truly is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that will enable you to invest in your professional development, accelerate your career progression and fulfil your potential to ultimately run your own Corporate Finance practice.

• Acting as the primary point of contact for new and established clients throughout the transaction lifecycle, advising on strategy, structure and execution
• Setting and driving transaction timetables, ensuring momentum is maintained through complex and time-sensitive processes
• Taking responsibility for the quality of all client deliverables, while managing risk, controls and costs against budget
• Leading negotiations with counter parties and their advisers
• Playing an active role in business development, including contributing to pitches and increasing the visibility of the Strategy & Transactions team across the Bristol or Northern Ireland geographies
• Developing your own professional network with a view to increasing origination capability over the medium term
• Contributing to the growth and development of the team, providing leadership, coaching and support to junior colleagues

We’re looking for an experienced transaction professional at the Senior Manager level or above, with a strong track record of executing M&A or equity deals, ideally within financial services.

While origination experience is welcome, execution capability and credibility in live deal environments are more important.

You’ll likely bring experience in one or more of the following sectors:

• Insurance
• Banking or Speciality Finance
• Wealth or Asset Management
• FX / Payments
• Fintech or related financial services verticals

You’ll be comfortable:

• Operating with confidence in senior client environments
• Working to tight deadlines and thinking clearly under pressure
• Maintaining momentum and morale during long or complex transactions
• Applying sound commercial judgement and developing creative, pragmatic solutions
• Identifying potential deal opportunities and areas for future growth

You’ll also demonstrate:

• Strong numerical and financial analysis skills, with a solid understanding of financial statements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A high standard of spoken and written English
• Experience of mentoring, coaching or counselling junior team members

• Dow Schofield Watts offers a genuinely different route to partnership. One that combines autonomy, transparency and ownership with the support of an established advisory platform.
• You’ll be part of a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where partners are trusted to shape their own futures, build meaningful client relationships, and grow businesses in a way that works for them.
• If you’re looking for a role where you can lead, influence and build — not just execute — this is the right next step for you.

If you want to join our award-winning business, please complete the form below.