Associate Director - Mergers & Acquisitions

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About BDO Mergers & Acquisitions:

• Part of the broader BDO international network with ~120,000 employees worldwide and ~2,500 corporate finance professionals
• Mid-Market M&A Financial Adviser of the Year finalist (2026) – Australia (Mergermarket)
• No. 1 Most active M&A Advisor globally by deal count (2025) (PitchBook)

You'll be joining BDO’s leading mid-market Deal Advisory practice as an Associate Director (Senior Manager equivalent), taking a senior role in delivering exceptional transaction outcomes for our clients.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced corporate finance professional to join a leading private markets M&A platform with a strong local franchise, a deep international network and a meaningful pipeline of M&A mandates.

The role will suit an experienced M&A professional ready to take a senior position within the team, with responsibility for leading transaction execution, managing client and stakeholder relationships, developing junior team members and contributing actively to origination and business development.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day execution of buy-side and sell-side M&A transactions, capital raising and strategic advisory mandates, including transaction strategy, financial analysis, pricing, due diligence, transaction structuring, process management and documentation.

• Take day-to-day responsibility for M&A mandates from pitch and preparation through to completion, managing key workstreams, stakeholders, timetables and execution risks while maintaining a high standard of analysis, materials and communication.

• Lead and review the preparation of financial models, pricing analysis, pitch books, board papers, information memoranda, management presentations, and transaction documentation, ensuring conclusions are commercially sound, evidence-based and suitable for senior client and board audiences.

• Contribute actively to origination and business development, including sector coverage, opportunity identification, relationship development, pitch preparation and the development of new business opportunities.

• Act as a senior day-to-day adviser to clients throughout live transactions and manage interactions with counterparties, legal advisers, diligence providers, investors and internal stakeholders.

• Manage, mentor and develop junior colleagues, setting clear standards around technical work, judgement, client service and professional conduct.

• Provide clients with market insights, transaction advice and commercially grounded recommendations, applying sound judgement to identify material issues, recommend practical responses and escalate risks appropriately.

• Stay close to relevant M&A activity, pricing trends, capital markets conditions, regulatory developments and broader macroeconomic themes affecting client decision-making.

About You

The successful candidate will have proven corporate finance experience from a leading firm, high-quality corporate finance advisory or investment banking platform, including demonstrated responsibility for leading material transaction workstreams.

• A strong track record across M&A, capital raising or strategic advisory transactions, with experience across both sell-side and buy-side mandates. Experience working on sponsor-backed transactions will be viewed favourably.
• Proven technical capability across financial modelling, pricing, transaction analysis and deal documentation, together with the commercial judgement to review, challenge and draw clear conclusions from the work.
• High proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for creating clear, senior-level presentations and Microsoft Excel for complex financial modelling and analysis.
• Well-developed communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with senior professionals, clients, and key stakeholders.
• Refined presentation capability with the confidence and credibility to influence at a senior level.
• Experience managing junior colleagues through live transaction processes.
• A relevant tertiary qualification, with CA, CFA or another relevant professional qualification viewed favourably.
• A developing professional network within the Sydney / Australian M&A market.

Why BDO?

Working for BDO you will be part of a growing and market leading professional services firm.

Our national and global footprint provides our people with opportunities to work on interesting client engagements, across diverse industry sectors and services.

Our open and collaborative culture ensures access to Partners and professional mentors, to guide and accelerate your professional career, across a wide array of career pathways.

We provide our people with various health and wellbeing, social, financial, and professional development benefits to help realise what’s possible.

Participate in fitness challenges or take advantage of exclusive discounts to corporate health insurance, gym memberships and wellness facilities via our BWell program. Access benefits such as travel perks, retail discounts, employee referral rewards, study, and professional development support.

Our leave options cater to the unique needs of our people; and include enhanced family support, cultural and religious leave, and options to purchase additional leave. You can also give back and get involved in community initiatives via our BCaring program.

With a strong focus on learning and growth, we provide on the job training and formal development programs to help you succeed in your role and develop your skills and experience.

Our inclusive culture is underpinned by our core values (One, Bold, Human, Heart and Strive).

We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2025-2026 by Diversity Council of Australia and a 2026-2028 Employer Committed to Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

BDO is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment practices. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview process, we encourage you to contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]