Director - M&A

About the Role

KPMG Saudi Arabia is seeking a seasoned and strategic Director to lead our Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory team in Riyadh. This pivotal role is designed for a results-driven professional with a proven track record in deal origination, execution, and client relationship management across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The ideal candidate will bring deep industry expertise, exceptional leadership capabilities, and a passion for driving transformative transactions that create long-term value for our clients and the firm.

Key Responsibilities

Deal Origination & Business Development

• Lead Generation: Spearhead the identification and pursuit of sell-side and buy-side mandates across KSA and UAE, leveraging market insights and proprietary networks to uncover high-potential opportunities.
• Pitch Materials & Strategic Frameworks: Develop and present compelling pitch materials, Information Memoranda, and strategic advisory frameworks tailored to board and Executive Committee (ExCo) level discussions.
• Market Intelligence & Pipeline Management: Maintain a dynamic deal pipeline by tracking market trends, collaborating with sector leads, and cultivating proprietary deal flow to ensure a steady stream of high-quality mandates.

Transaction Execution

• End-to-End Deal Leadership: Oversee the complete execution of M&A advisory mandates, including sell-side, buy-side, divestitures, carve-outs, and joint ventures, from mandate acquisition to successful closing.
• Transaction Documentation: Ensure the preparation of high-quality transaction documents, including Information Memoranda, management presentations, process letters, and data room management, with a focus on accuracy and client impact.
• Valuation & Commercial Negotiations: Drive valuation work, review outputs prepared by team members, and lead negotiations with vendors and buyers, including management Q&A sessions, exclusivity discussions, and closing conditions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate seamlessly with tax, legal, debt advisory, strategy, and integration specialists across KPMG to deliver holistic and integrated advisory solutions.

Client Relationship Management

• Senior Client Engagement: Serve as the primary senior point of contact for clients throughout live transactions, fostering trust, managing expectations, and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Relationship Expansion: Develop and nurture deep, multi-contact relationships across target accounts to position KPMG for follow-on mandates and expand wallet share within key sectors.
• Strategic Counsel: Provide clients with strategic advice on deal timing, structure, and market positioning, extending beyond transaction execution to deliver enduring value.

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentorship & Guidance: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing deal team comprising Managers, Senior Associates, and Analysts, setting benchmarks for analytical excellence, client communication, and professional conduct.
• Quality Assurance: Review and quality-assure all client deliverables prior to distribution, ensuring adherence to firm standards and client expectations.
• Firm Contribution: Play an active role in recruitment initiatives, performance evaluations, and the development of best-practice methodologies to elevate the team’s capabilities and market reputation.

Required Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Background: 10–12 years of progressive experience in M&A advisory, corporate finance, or investment banking, with a strong preference for candidates from Big 4 firms, bulge bracket institutions, elite boutiques, or mid-market advisory firms.
• Deal Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and successfully close sell-side and/or buy-side M&A transactions in KSA, with a track record of driving transactions to completion.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in both Arabic and English, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Process Expertise: Hands-on experience managing full deal processes, including data room administration, buyer processes, management presentations, and Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) negotiations.
• Sector Specialization: Deep industry knowledge in at least one of the following sectors: Technology & Media, Industrials & Business Services, Consumer & Retail, Healthcare, or Energy & Infrastructure.
• Network & Business Development: Proven track record in business development, with an established network of Private Equity (PE) firms, corporate clients, and intermediaries in the KSA/UAE market.

Skills & Competencies

• Commercial Acumen: Ability to articulate deal rationale and valuation in a manner that resonates with board-level clients, combining strategic insight with financial rigor.
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for delivering compelling pitches and presentations that captivate audiences.
• Deal Mechanics: Rigorous understanding of transaction structures, including SPA structuring, locked-box vs. completion accounts, and earn-out design.
• Project Management: Capacity to manage multiple live transactions simultaneously while maintaining the highest standards of quality and client service.
• Leadership & Collaboration: A collaborative and inclusive leadership style that fosters a high-performance culture, actively contributes to knowledge-sharing initiatives, and aligns with KPMG’s values.
• Emotional Intelligence: High emotional quotient (EQ) and political intelligence to navigate complex multi-stakeholder processes with diplomacy and strategic foresight.