Title: Head of Corporate Development
Location: UK based with flexible travel requirements
Salary: Competitive plus vested equity package, recognizing the strategic importance of this role in driving the company’s future growth
Ref: NH11677
Dwelly is on a mission to redefine the rental experience, driving the move to a truly digital-first experience for landlords and tenants alike.
The business was created by experienced, passionate, and proven founders, and is on track to be a disruptive force in the lettings space.
They leverage modern AI advancements and tailored automation systems they have built specifically for their needs, resulting in a simpler, smarter, and more reliable experience for individuals, families, landlords, and real estate agencies.
Their technology provides a seamless experience throughout the entire lettings journey, significantly reducing time spent on routine tasks and improving agency efficiency by 3X, whilst also elevating client service levels.
With M&A being the key growth lever and at the forefront of the go-to-market strategy, this is a truly pivotal hire for the business. The successful candidate will be expected to originate and execute a significant number of acquisitions, and calls for M&A candidates with an appetite to drive true value and growth via their work.
What you’ll be acquiring: Target businesses are traditional lettings agencies with a proven network and strong reputation in their market/geography. When buying such a business, the key value acquired is the books of managed properties and landlords contracts. This is a highly sticky asset with 97%+ yearly retention and recurring, almost subscription like, revenue of monthly management commissions.
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Head of Corporate Development to shape our M&A strategy, as well as to work with the founding team on the long-term strategic growth of the business.
Focusing on mid- and large-sized acquisitions, you will manage multiple origination processes, build a strong pipeline, and represent the company in key M&A negotiations and partnerships. At the same time, you will help to framework and structure deal execution process on serial acquisitions of smaller targets.
This is a hands-on role for someone with deep expertise in M&A and business development, capable of running all facets of the deal cycle and thriving in a dynamic, high-growth, environment.
This role offers significant growth potential. The Head of Corporate Development will lead one of the key pillars in the business, providing significant upward mobility within the company longer term. This may be via overseeing an expanding M&A portfolio and broader capital strategy, or via the potential transition to another senior position within the expanding business.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Deal Origination & Relationship Building
* Proactively develop and maintain a pipeline of mid-size acquisitions (£10M+), aiming to originate, agree, and complete one such deal (in £10M+ range) within the next 4-6 months.
* Map potential targets, understanding each seller’s mindset and defining clear acquisition roadmaps.
* Ensure we are positioned as the first choice when acquisition opportunities arise, aiming to secure the first offer acceptance within a 6-month period.
2. Larger deals Due Diligence & Structuring
* Conduct comprehensive operational, financial, and legal due diligence in partnership with external and internal resources.
* Evaluate and build in-house competencies for diligence as needed, optimizing for accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
* Structure each transaction to minimize risk and maximize value, ensuring strategic alignment with company goals.
3. Setting up a scalable acquisition framework
* Help to shape internal Investment Committee signing off deals.
* Help to establish the frameworks to run and project manage concurrently 5+ acquisitions, with deal sizes ranging from £1-10M.
* Put in place the foundations to step up the game and run 10 acquisitions annually in the £10-20M range longer term.
4. Strategic Growth & Representation
* Prepare for larger-scale acquisitions (£100M+) in 12-18 months, representing the company with external advisors, bankers, and legal partners to achieve this ambition.
* Operate with a high degree of autonomy, reporting directly to the CEO and shaping M&A as a key growth driver within the business.
* Act as strategic partner to the founders, implementing and running a range of internal value creation and operational activities to continually drive growth and position the business as best in class.
Qualifications:
Experience:
* Strong background in M&A, private equity, investment banking, or corporate finance, with the proven ability to originate & execute buy-side transactions.
* Prior corporate development exposure, or experience of running bolt-on activity as an investor preferred.
* Prior experience of succeeding within a high deal environment.
* 8 years+ deal experience.
* Track record of successfully closing small to mid-sized deals with minimal supervision.
* Sharp attention to detail, self-motivated, and outcome driven.
Skills:
* Strategic thinker and operator.
* Hands-on approach and capable of delivering as sole contributor to M&A.
* Capable of managing complex details across operational, financial, and legal domains.
Cultural Fit:
* Resilient, entrepreneurial, and willing to work flexible hours as needed.
* Strong familiarity with the UK market and ability to engage with a diverse range of sellers and stakeholders in the UK market.
Travel Flexibility:
* Willingness to travel throughout the UK for target meetings and relationship management.
Please note that all third party applications will be sent to Finatal.