Corporate Development Office - Assistant Director

The Opportunity

EY Canada’s Corporate Development Office (CDO), responsible for managing mergers and acquisitions for EY Canada, has an exciting opportunity for a full-time position as an Assistant Director - Corporate Development. This role supports an important strategic inorganic growth objective of the firm as part of our All-In Strategy. In addition to the CDO, you will be a core member of our Strategic Investment Office, working closely with various areas of the business involved in:

• The identification and validation of potential acquisition targets and management of transactions from inception through due diligence, day 1 readiness, successful closure, onboarding, and integration into the firm.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Deal Sourcing, Target Analysis and Administration
• Work with our business leaders across Service Lines, Sub-service lines, Competencies, Industry Groups and Sectors to understand the areas of strategic priority for inorganic growth.
• Develop and maintain a robust M&A pipeline, working directly with our leaders as well as through the running of markets scans, targeted research and relationships with investment bankers,
• Build strong internal relationships with our leaders, maintaining regular touch points to continue to drive deal origination.
• Take part in target outreach, supporting initial exploratory discussions and strategic alignment sessions.
• Develop a deep understanding of how EY assess targets in terms of Strategic, Cultural and Financial fit, leveraging that knowledge and experience to evaluate and document potential M&A
• targets, providing critical insights to assist leadership decide on the right opportunities to pursue.
• Support valuation modelling and business cases development.
• Support in the preparation of expressions of interest (EOI), letters of intent (LOI), and purchase and sale agreements (PSA).  
• Maintain an awareness of M&A activity outside of EY, including market trends
• Maintain and enhance CDO governance, acquisition tracking, and reporting.
• Bring thought leadership around continuous improvement of CDO tools, processes and procedures including the use of AI and automation.
• Oversee and manage the acquisitions database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.
• Assist in Post Acquisition Reporting (PAR), and deal evaluation against business case.

Transaction Management Office (TMO)

• Working with the Director of Corporate Development, you will have the opportunity to lead the TMO on certain transactions, providing TMO support on others, as appropriate.
• Help plan and execute due diligence and day 1 readiness activities, coordinating across multiple internal workstreams and target leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with Target leadership, in many cases acting as a single point of contact.
• Manage and maintain transaction documentation: project kick-off materials, org charts, timeline & milestone charts, status updates, meeting notes, action logs, confidentiality NDA logs, etc.
• Identify, document, and manage program risks, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and appropriate actions are taken.
• Coordinate team meetings with multiple internal stakeholders and target leadership.
• Maintain constant communications across multiple workstreams, understanding and coordinating the flow of critical and relevant information to the right audiences in a timely manner.
• Lead team meetings, driving the agenda, identifying and tracking key decisions and actions.
• Coordinate the collection and distribution of diligence responses and supporting documentation shared by the target.
• Help ensure that we close transactions on a timely basis and have a robust onboarding and integration plan.  

Strategic Investment Office (SIO)

• Act as a core member of the Strategic Investment Office, supporting its initiatives and objectives.
• Collaborate with the SIO team to assess investment requests and provide insights and recommendations.
• Assist in the development of business cases for investment requests, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Assist in the preparation of detailed investment reports and presentations for the Strategic Investment Committee (SIC).
• Engage with cross-functional teams to assist in the tracking and reporting on the performance of approved investments, providing analysis and insights to leadership.

What You Will Gain from This Role

• Broad Exposure: You’ll understand the “inner-workings” of EY, working directly with our Chief Investment Office (CIO), Director of Corporate Development, our newly formed Strategic Investment Committee (made up of our CIO, Chair & CEO, COO/CFO along with 3 other members of our EC) and your CDO and SIO team colleagues. You will also develop relationships with your colleagues in Finance, Global Corporate Development, CTO, C&I, Talent as well as with leaders across all Service Lines and Industry Groups.  You’ll have direct insight and exposure into the strategic initiatives of the firm.
• Leadership: You’ll develop key leadership attributes, gain confidence in chairing discussions, presenting ideas, and managing critical decision points.
• Understand EY: You will develop a deeper understanding of the firm’s capabilities and strategic growth priorities.
• M&A Experience: You’ll hone your skills across the M&A transaction lifecycle, including financial modeling, due diligence processes, and integration strategies, including cross border transactions and intra-firm agreements.

What We Look For

• Positive Attitude: A strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and openness to welcome new challenges.
• Work Independently: Ability to work effectively under pressure and time constraints in an unstructured environment relying on self-direction.
• Creativity: Leverage past experiences to continuously improve and streamline processes.
• Teaming – Be dedicated to the program and help your team be successful.
• Strategic Mindset: Understand the ‘big picture’ of the transaction and its strategic importance.
• Organizational Skills: Diligently track, execute, and follow up on daily activities; manage your own and your team's workload effectively. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Consulting Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint and financial analysis tools.  Advanced Microsoft Suite skills considered an advantage.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Executive Presence: Ability to work seamlessly with and direct the activities of senior leaders demonstrating credibility and inspiring confidence.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to synthesize information, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Financial Modeling Skills: Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis tools is essential.
• Communications: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to a senior leadership audience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field
• CPA, CBV and or CFA designation or working towards it is considered an asset   

What we offer 

The EY benefits package is designed to support your physical, emotional, financial, and social wellbeing. Our extensive benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage, as well as mental health benefits, a robust Employee Assistance Program and group savings plans to promote your overall wellbeing. We offer generous time off, including personal days, vacation days, and additional firm-wide holidays, along with the option to purchase extra vacation days. Employees can take advantage of EY's exclusive learning programs tailored just for them. We also provide internal opportunities for career development and advancement, enabling you to grow within the firm. Get involved in meaningful volunteering through EY Ripples and make a positive impact in the community.

Learn about our commitment to DE&I at https://www.ey.com/en_ca/about-us/corporate-responsibility/equity

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.

To help create the best experience during the recruitment process, please describe any accommodations you may need.

Diversity and Inclusion at EY / Inclusiveness at EY 

Diversity and inclusiveness are at the heart of who we are and how we work. We’re committed to fostering an environment where differences are valued, policies and practices are equitable, and our people feel a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity and are committed to combating systemic racism, advancing gender equity and women in leadership, advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting our neuroinclusion and accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) nationally as we strive towards reconciliation. Our diverse experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives make our people unique and help guide us. Because when people feel free to be their authentic selves at work, they bring their best and are empowered to build a better working world.