C£80-100,000 plus bonus & package (can be 4 days/wk)
This is an outstanding opportunity to join an innovative business services group.
Replicating that human-focus internally, they have created an upbeat, friendly, innovative, and fast-paced environment with, crucially, market-leading opportunity for advancement. Two decades of achievements and award wins set this ground-breaking business apart from their competitors, and with continued demand for their services and increased capability in their product and service portfolio, their future is as impressive as their history. That path is set to continue, and expand, particularly through an M&A strategy.
A critical element to that future growth, development and innovation, is the recruitment of a Group Strategy Manager. a motivated and strategically experienced analytical leader, bringing together astute strategic planning with ideation, class-leading external and internal engagement, and working towards a group-wide delivery focus.
This appointee will take an influential role in the Strategy Department, providing key insight and analysis to challenge and inform strategic decision making, lead data room functions for M&A activity and play a key role in supporting the debt/fundraising process(es).
They will be a kingpin for the department, not only in the way they support the Strategy Director but also in their ability to lead by example, seeing no task beneath them as they increase the scale and scope of this new department with drive, attention to detail, analytical rigour and entrepreneurial spirit.
This is a pivotal role in shaping the growth trajectory and long-term success of the Group, particularly one on a scale-up journey. This individual is responsible for developing, executing, and refining the Group’s strategic roadmap, with a significant focus on identifying, analysing, and delivering M&A opportunities that align with the company’s commercial ambitions and purpose.
Working closely with the Group Strategy Director, CEO, CFO, and senior stakeholders across the group, the Group Strategy Manager acts as an internal consultant, corporate development lead, and strategic business partner, combining market insight, financial acumen, and operational awareness to drive value creation.
Corporate Strategy & Planning
Help define and develop the group’s strategic direction in alignment with its mission, values, and growth ambitions.
Lead strategic planning processes, including the creation of multi-year business plans, strategic goal-setting frameworks, and market positioning strategies.
Conduct market scans, competitor analysis, and scenario modelling to inform board-level decisions.
Support strategic initiatives such as new market entry, operational optimisation, digital transformation, or service line diversification.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Investment
Identifying, evaluating, and prioritising acquisition targets, using strategic criteria (e.g. market access, customer base, synergy potential, risk profile).
Building a target pipeline through direct sourcing, networking, and partnerships with external advisors (e.g. corporate finance firms, brokers).
commercial, operational, financial, working with legal, tax, HR, and IT advisors as needed.
Create robust, dynamic financial models to support business cases, acquisitions, investments, and resource allocation decisions.
Assess financial implications of strategic options, including scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and downside risk mitigation.
Align financial insights with operational realities, bringing together data from across finance, sales, operations, and technology.
Analyse sector trends, peer performance, and internal frameworks to inform forward-looking financial strategies.
Present strategic options and recommendations that balance financial, operational, and reputational outcomes.
Translate complex data into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Collaborate with business unit leaders, functional heads, and external stakeholders to ensure strategic initiatives are actionable and widely supported.
Serve as a thought partner to the leadership team, offering structured thinking and analytical rigour to complex business issues.
Champion a strategy-led, continuous improvement mindset across the organisation, fostering data-driven decision making, cross-functional collaboration, and accountability.
Coach and mentor junior team members or seconded colleagues working on strategic projects.
Set and monitor performance targets, holding self and others accountable to high standards.
Help create a scalable strategic operating model, including tools, templates, governance structures, and tracking mechanisms.
The Group Strategy Manager will be immersed in adding to the tone, energy and culture for the business as well as being both innovator and commercial planner. They will possess a strong ethos in delivery through strategic planning, an innovative approach, supreme insight and ideation and a ‘do’ not ‘think’ mindset.
A strong academic background with a degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline.
MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
Deep knowledge of corporate finance, the full M&A lifecycle, and valuation methodologies (e.g. Proficient in strategic planning frameworks, financial modelling tools, and industry benchmarking practices.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in corporate strategy, strategic finance, management consulting, or a closely related field.
Proven track record of leading or supporting M&A or investment transactions, including end-to-end deal execution.
Advanced skills in financial modelling, including forecasting revenue, costs, and cash flows.
Demonstrated success in producing executive-level presentations, strategic documentation, and board-ready materials.
Experience within regulated sectors such as energy, communications, or financial services is highly desirable.
Strong interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
A clear alignment with the Group’s values of fairness, advocacy, and collaboration.
Leads through emotional intelligence, fostering trust, inclusion, and human-centred decision making.
Personal Qualities
Understanding the operational and cultural realities of the business.
Building trust and credibility across different levels and functions.