The Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at URUS will play a critical role in shaping the company’s inorganic growth agenda by partnering closely with senior leadership and our private equity sponsor (CVC) to evaluate, execute, and integrate strategic transactions. 

This position requires exceptional analytical rigor, financial modeling expertise, and the ability to provide objective insights that influence high-stakes decisions in a dynamic, global environment. Reporting to the CFO, the M&A Director will be a key contributor to the development and execution of URUS’s growth strategy.

This leader will combine advanced modeling capabilities with strategic thinking, simplifying complex analyses for diverse stakeholders and ensuring disciplined, fact-based decision-making. The role offers a unique opportunity to blend analytical depth with strategic influence in a global, growth-oriented business.

Primary Responsibilities

M&A Execution & Analysis

• Partner with the CFO, senior leadership, and CVC to identify and evaluate acquisition targets, partnerships, and divestitures - aligned with URUS’s strategic objectives.
• Lead rigorous financial modeling and valuation analyses (DCF, comparables, precedent transactions) to assess deal economics, synergies, capital requirements and risk scenarios.
• Provide objective, data-driven recommendations to leadership and the Board.

Transaction Management

• Own and drive end-to-end deal processes, including due diligence, negotiations, and closing.
• Coordinate and lead cross-functional teams (Finance, Legal, Operations, People) to ensure seamless execution and timely decision making.
• Manage relationships with external advisors and investment banks to optimize deal structures.

Integration Planning

• Develop and oversee integration frameworks and executive plans to capture synergies, minimize disruption and accelerate value creation.
• Partner with business leaders to align acquired entities with URUS standards, governance and culture.
• Establish and track post-close performance metrics and ensure value realization.

Strategic Partnership 

• Serve as a key liaison with CVC, ensuring alignment on priorities, deal structures, and value creation.
• Contribute to development and refinement URUS’s inorganic growth strategy through objective analysis and insights.
• Support portfolio reviews and strategic planning discussions with the sponsor and leadership team.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Present clear, concise, and compelling analyses to senior executives and the Board, translating complex analyses into actionable insights.
• Build and foster strong relationships across the organization to proactively embed M&A considerations into planning.
• Mentor and develop team members, building and strengthening internal M&A capabilities and establishing best practices across URUS.
• This role reports to the URUS CFO
• This role is preferably based in Madison, WI with expectations for frequent travel to the US and global retail countries.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent preferred. 

• 10 years of progressive experience in M&A, corporate development, or senior finance leadership roles with significant transaction exposure. 

• Proven expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and scenario analysis. 

• Strong strategic thinking and ability to evaluate opportunities objectively. 

• Demonstrated success in leading complex transactions in a multinational environment. 

• Exceptional communication skills - can distill complex analyses into actionable insights. 

• High executive presence and ability to influence at senior levels. 

• Willingness to travel globally as needed.

As a holding company with cooperative and private ownership, URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry – Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Leachman Cattle, Jetstream, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS.  Each organization has its unique identity, products, and services. These companies work globally to provide cutting-edge dairy and beef genetics, customized reproductive services to maximize conceptions, dairy management information to take producers to the frontline of progressive dairy farming, and an array of products and services to help bovines reach their full genetic potential. URUS has 9 brands in 17 retail countries and employs nearly 2,800 people globally.