Corporate Development & Strategy Associate (18 Month Fixed Term Contract)

18 Month Fixed Term Opportunity

About Us

The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It’s the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and find an empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards smart, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challenge, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It’s a job that’s never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

At the FT, we aim for employees across all regions to have a voice so that diverse perspectives are heard and valued. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs. We'll continue to remove barriers for all, and in particular barriers facing employees from underrepresented groups.

The Role / Position Overview

Corporate development is a central part of our growth strategy. Corporate Development & Strategy is a small but high profile function reporting jointly to the CFO and the Director of Strategic Partnerships. We are responsible for sourcing, supporting and executing the FT’s inorganic and centralised growth initiatives, including M&A, Strategic Partnerships and special projects to accelerate growth beyond business as usual. 

The Corporate Development and Strategy Associate will have significant exposure to all corporate development projects and also to the FT Board. We are seeking 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. The role will involve significant exposure to the FT’s leadership team and various functions throughout the business and so an ability to establish credibility in working with senior management and collaborating with others is essential.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate will be supporting the Corporate Development & Strategy team with:

• Sourcing corporate development opportunities - including acquisition target sourcing and filtering, relationship building and generating strategic partnership proposals;
• Improving the FT’s corporate development toolkit;
• Execution of acquisitions and disposals and strategic partnerships - including business valuation modelling, business plan analysis and pricing, due diligence coordination, contract negotiation and integration;
• Assisting with existing internal centralised projects e.g. cross-departmental strategic initiatives;
• Assisting with strategic projects on a case by case basis;
• Leading the financial and valuation analysis of the business opportunities, applying critical thinking to the business case and how it progresses the FT’s strategy, and assisting in the preparation of any documentation required to take the business case to the CFO, CEO, FT Board and Nikkei for approval.

Required Skills / Experience 

• Candidates will have 4 - 6 years relevant experience gained working in an investment bank, M&A advisory firm or VC/PE, the corporate finance division of a large accounting or consulting firm, or within the M&A / strategy function of a corporate organisation;
• Undergraduate degree, ideally in economics, business, finance or accounting;
• Confident and experienced in financial modelling, valuation analysis and business plan and commercial analysis;
• Demonstrable end to end transaction experience;
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills;
• Highly numerate, with proven analytical and business and problem solving skills, with the ability to apply financial analysis to commercial issues;
• Confident working under own initiative as well as being a strong team player;
• Outstanding project management skills;
• Excellent attention to detail, commitment to the job and a strong results-driven work ethic;
• Strategy experience is a plus;
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and/or Google Suite.

What’s in it for you? Our Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.

Further Information

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We also promote flexible working and will consider specific requests around flexibility for all roles where it can be accommodated. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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