About the role

M&A Operations is a market-leading team within the Strategy& business unit in PwC Deals, supporting corporate and private equity clients through high-impact M&A and transformation engagements. Our work spans the full deal lifecycle, from pre-deal operational due diligence and value creation, through carve-out and divestment support, to post-deal integration, synergy development and performance improvement. 

Within M&A Operations, the Industrial & Services (I&S) sector team works with clients across manufacturing, industrial products and services, business services, packaging, engineering and construction. We work closely alongside our Energy, Utilities & Resources (EU&R) team and advise on transactions ranging from mid-market deals to multi-billion-pound acquisitions, frequently working alongside top-tier private equity houses and global corporates. 

What your days will look like: 

• Pre and post deal performance improvement using our proprietary Value Creation methodology; including identifying operational improvement levers e.g. site footprint consolidation, procurement efficiencies, back office rationalisation, supply chain optimisation, etc.  

• Supporting carve-outs and divestments to achieve viable standalone businesses; including advising on separation planning, execution, transition and optimisation e.g. Day 1 readiness, migration planning, TSA / LTA requirements, separation cost analysis, etc.    

• Providing buy and sell side Operational Due Diligence; including analysing the operations of a business along the value chain e.g. production, supply chain, support functions, Capex investment, etc.  

• Mergers and acquisitions integration support; including defining and executing the integration programme, and developing and reviewing operational synergies in combining the two businesses.  

• Assisting with other non-transactional products to support clients in maximising profitability e.g. zero based budgeting.  

Across the engagements above, as a Senior Manager you will take overall responsibility for leading large complex projects, including scoping and shaping the approach to address our clients’ most critical operational challenges. You will be accountable for driving conclusions, reviewing and challenging team outputs, managing engagement risks and ensuring delivery meets both client expectations and PwC quality standards. 

You will proactively manage client relationships as the main point of contact, working closely with Directors and Partners, and will play a key role in the financial management of engagements. You will lead, coach and develop junior team members, building high-performing teams and providing day-to-day leadership across projects.  

In addition, you will be expected to take a proactive and leading role in business development, identifying opportunities with new and existing clients, owning proposals, and continuing to build your network. 

Successful candidates typically have  experience in:  

• Operational or transformational leadership experience within a corporate environment, including experience in one or more of the following: lean manufacturing, manufacturing best-practice, operational restructuring and cost reduction  

Or 

• Experience leading workstreams within a professional services environment (either in a Deals or Consulting background), focused on Industrials & Services (I&S) 

This role is for you if: 

• Able to demonstrate a strong understanding of a function such as; engineering, operations, maintenance, procurement, supply-chain or manufacturing  

• Can quickly assess the performance of a business (or elements of it) and outline improvement opportunities based upon limited information and/ or interactions with Management 

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and communicate with senior business leaders 

• Excellent quantitative and written skills, able to build analyses or an evidence base to support a position, often in situations with imperfect or incomplete information 

• A healthy curiosity, coupled with a disciplined approach to understanding and solving problems 

• Able to work from first-principles and stay focused on the ‘why’ when performing analyses or reviewing documentation 

• Comfortable under pressure and managing through ambiguity to deliver tasks in an environment where there are many unknowns 

• Adaptable, and up for the challenge of mastering new industries and developing experience in a wide variety of product types 

• Capability or willingness to develop skill in AI and data analytics e.g. Alteryx, PowerBI, Tableau 

What you’ll receive from us:

 No matter where you may be in your career or personal life, our benefits are designed to add value and support, recognising and rewarding you fairly for your contributions. 

We offer a range of benefits including empowered flexibility and a working week split between office, home and client site; private medical cover and 24/7 access to a qualified virtual GP; six volunteering days a year and much more.