Corporate Development & M&A Director

About the Role

A prominent diversified conglomerate based in the GCC is seeking a Corporate Business Development and Mergers & Acquisitions Director to lead the expansion of its Telecom, Media, and Technology (TMT) division. This senior position involves spearheading the identification, structuring, and execution of cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, and greenfield projects primarily across the MENA region, Central Asia, and other frontier markets. Reporting directly to the Group CEO, the role holds significant responsibility and engagement with the Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and propose M&A opportunities that align with the Group’s strategic objectives.
• Manage the complete deal lifecycle from initial investment thesis through to Board approval and deal closure.
• Develop and negotiate complex transaction structures including acquisitions, joint ventures, carve-outs, and infrastructure deals.
• Prepare and present investment proposals to both the Board and Investment Committee.
• Maintain and oversee an active M&A pipeline focused on Telecom, Cloud, and Digital Infrastructure sectors.
• Lead cross-border diligence processes, including financial valuations and contract negotiations.
• Coordinate and supervise external advisors such as banks, legal teams, and consultancy firms to support deal execution.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

• Minimum of twelve years’ professional experience in M&A with a strong record of success in Telecom and Technology transactions.
• Experience within corporate or operator environments and/or backgrounds from Investment Banking, Private Equity, or Consulting—preferably a combination.
• Demonstrated capacity to independently identify, initiate, negotiate, and close complex deals.
• Proven success in obtaining approvals from Boards or Investment Committees.
• Substantial experience with cross-border transactions, particularly in CIS countries, MENA, GCC, or other emerging markets.
• Advanced financial modeling skills, including discounted cash flow (DCF), leveraged buyout (LBO), and comparable trading and transaction analyses.
• Master's degree in Finance, Business, or a related field; possession of an MBA or CFA designation is advantageous.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Russian is highly preferred.