Title : Global M&A Lead
Work Level: WL3
Location: 100VE / London
Reports to: Ritesh Tiwari - Global Head of M&A, Treasury & Pensions
Purpose of the Role
As an M&A Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Unilever's growth agenda through acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and venture aligned transactions. The role operates at the intersection of strategy, finance, governance, category leadership ensuring that all M&A activities deliver enterprise value and strengthen Unilever's competitive advantage.
You will lead end to end transaction work—from early stage target identification through due diligence, valuation, negotiation, deal execution and integration planning—acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a key interface between Unilever and external partners.
Key Accountabilities
1. Deal Origination & Strategic Alignment
• Partner with Business Group (BG) leadership, Strategy & Performance, and Category GMs to identify opportunities aligned with BG and Unilever enterprise strategy.
• Conduct category and whitespace scans, competitive landscape assessments, and strategic fit evaluations using established M&A screening criteria.
• Shape robust and compelling License to Hunt and investment cases to secure approval for exploration.
2. Financial Evaluation & Valuation Leadership
• Lead financial modelling, scenario planning, valuation and synergy sizing for potential transactions.
• Develop financial assumptions in partnership with BG finance, Treasury, Tax, and Group Controllers.
• Pressure test business cases for resilience, risk, integration cost, and value creation—aligned with Unilever's investment framework.
3. Due Diligence Leadership
• Coordinate cross-functional due diligence across Finance, SC, HR, Legal, CMI, UniOps, R&D and Tax.
• Apply Unilever's global due diligence methodology, ensuring thorough assessment of:
* Commercial & category risks
* Financial integrity
* Technology & data environments
* Cyber security, brand quality, regulatory and ESG compliance
• Identify key risks, red flags and value enablers; shape mitigation plans.
4. Deal Structuring & Negotiation
• Partner with Legal, external advisors, and investment banks to shape transaction terms, SPA/APA structures, earn outs and governance.
• Support negotiation strategy, ensuring alignment to Unilever governance, valuation principles and risk appetite.
• Drive preparation of Board papers, Investment Committee materials and ULE decision packs.
5. Integration & Value Realisation
• Lead pre close integration design, including operating model proposals, carve out plans and synergy programmes.
• Partner closely with M&A Integration teams to ensure smooth Day 1 readiness, scalability and business continuity.
• Ensure handover into BGs/Functions with clear KPIs, risk mitigations, roadmap and governance.
6. Senior Stakeholder Engagement
• Act as a strategic advisor to the Global M&A Lead, EVP Strategy & Performance, BG CFOs and Category Presidents.
• Manage cross-functional senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment, clarity and speed of decision making.
• Present recommendations to ULE/IC as required.
7. Governance, Controls & Compliance
• Uphold Unilever's M&A governance, documentation, red list confidentiality and business integrity expectations.
• Ensure robust audit trails, data room hygiene, and adherence to compliance standards, including competition law.
• Promote Unilever's culture of transparency, ethical decision making and responsible stewardship.
Key Interfaces
• Global M&A Leads
• Finance Leadership Team
• BG/BU Strategy and Finance leads
• Legal (Corporate, IP, Competition)
• Tax, Treasury, Group Controllers
• UniOps M&A Integration (IT, data, cyber, systems)
• External Advisors (banks, consultants, legal counsel)
• Investment Committee and ULE Secretariat
Critical Experience & Skills
Functional Expertise
• Strong foundation in corporate finance, valuations, deal structuring and financial modelling.
• Demonstrated experience in cross border M&A or major transformation projects.
• Familiarity with Unilever's governance, operating model and category strategies.
Leadership Capabilities
• Ability to lead virtual teams across functions, geographies and time zones.
• High judgement, resilience and comfort with ambiguity.
• Strong influencing skills with senior stakeholders.
• Able to synthesise complexity quickly and drive clear decision making.
• Business Acumen & Stewardship