PE - Head of M&A

M&A Director/Head - France (Private Equity backed Business)

Location: France (must be based locally, with willingness to travel)

Language Requirement: Fluent French speaker with professional English

About the Role

We are supporting a Private Equity–backed group in identifying a Senior M&A professional with a proven track record in buy-side acquisitions and a strong operational understanding of inorganic growth. This is a senior leadership position that works alongside the existing M&A team and group management, playing a pivotal role in executing an ambitious buy-and-build strategy within the French professional services sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead M&A execution within a private equity-backed roll-up environment, ideally closing 5+ transactions per year.
• Defined the M&A strategy and integration roadmap for newly acquired businesses.
• Manage the full investment cycle, from deal sourcing and pipeline building through to closing.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with potential targets, including CEOs and founders.
• Drive all aspects of the deal process: LOIs, valuations, financial models, due diligence, NDAs, and negotiations.
• Develop detailed business cases, investment memoranda, and supporting materials.
• Partner with senior leadership to deliver long-term inorganic growth objectives.

The Ideal Candidate

• Extensive experience in M&A within a private equity-backed portfolio company.
• Proven roll-up expertise in Accounting, Finance, Healthcare, or B2B multi-site business models.
• Deep knowledge of all phases of the investment cycle.
• Strong deal origination and pipeline management experience.
• Exceptional financial modelling, valuation, and negotiation skills.
• Fluent French speaker with business fluency in English, currently based in France.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel as required.