Senior Director, Corporate Development

Senior Director, Corporate Development /M&A

The Senior Director, Corporate Development/M&A will play a key role in the development, implementation, and execution of Aon's acquisition strategy. This person will work closely with Executive Management and regional leaders to analyze and make recommendations concerning potential acquisitions, investments, or divestitures. The position will report directly to the Head of North America and Solutions Corp Dev, who is located in New York City.

Flexibility to travel (up to 25%) is preferred.

The position can be based in Chicago or New York City.

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

The Senior Director, Corporate Development/M&A is responsible for valuation, pricing, negotiation, deal structuring, and overall transaction management of potential mergers, acquisitions, and investments, as well as divestitures by Aon. A successful candidate will be a self-starter who is confident in taking ownership for the execution of projects from identification of the opportunity through closing, working with various internal and external participants.

Key responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to:

• Partnering with the executive team to evaluate our portfolio relative to the industry's highest growth opportunities or emerging threats. Providing recommendations that strategically address any portfolio weaknesses and advance the growth strategy.
• Partnering with the regional and solution line leaders and teams to pressure test the business and strategic rationale.
• Working closely with business partners in strategy, legal, finance, and other departments to ensure that processes and agreements are handled appropriately and effectively.
• Leading and developing a team responsible for driving the transactional stages of Aon's acquisition and divestiture processes, including primarily the sourcing, valuation, and negotiation of the transaction.
• Ensuring that Aon's reputation and profile within the investment banking community remain strong, focused and positive to facilitate high quality deal flow, and managing relationships with attorneys, accountants, bankers, consultants and other advisors as necessary.
• Developing and delivering recommendations to Executive Management and the Executive Committee.

• 7+ years of transaction experience in M&A or Corporate Development at a large investment bank or global corporation.
• Significant experience leading teams to successfully complete all aspects of M&A transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, strategic investments, joint ventures, and other strategic alliances.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the professional services, consulting, or technology / outsourcing industries.
• Experience working in a demanding environment with highly motivated and driven professionals.
• An advanced degree (i.e. MBA) or additional certifications (i.e. CPA, CFA) are preferred, but not required.

An experienced transaction professional who can draw from a vast amount of experience in leading transactions, including:

• Deep understanding and experience in transaction processes.
• Leading the transaction process from opportunity identification and initial approach, through negotiation, due diligence, valuation, and structuring.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Capital Markets and Corporate Finance, including Debt and Equity Markets, and be able to think strategically and tactically about financing alternatives.

An individual who can seamlessly interact in a proactive and collaborative way with internal business units and corporate partners in potential transactions by:

• Consistently representing the company's values, while assisting in the implementation of the company's growth agenda.
• Building strong relationships that cultivate credibility, trust and agreement.
• Taking responsibility and demonstrating personal ownership of tasks and following through to get required results.
• Bringing judgment and maturity and an ability to interact at all levels of the organization as one who is perceived as a strong role model, coach and mentor with strong character and high integrity.

An inspiring leader who will garner respect within Aon, as well as continuing to build out, cultivate and develop the Corporate Development team by:

• Demonstrating initiative, principled leadership, energy and passion with an ongoing commitment to enhancing shareholder value in a way that is consistent with the company's beliefs and values.
• Having an open and engaged style that builds a culture of collaboration and collegiality while encouraging responsibility and a focus on outcomes in a…