Head of Strategic Transactions

About the role

TAL, a life insurer backed by Daiichi Life, is looking for a Head of Strategic Transactions in Sydney. Reporting to the General Manager Enterprise Solutions, M&A and Strategic Projects, you will lead the team across all stages of a transaction's lifecycle, working with internal partners, business group leaders, counterparties and external advisers. You will oversee the end-to-end financial due diligence process and lead transaction execution and due diligence.

Key responsibilities

• Build, mentor and develop a small team of high-performing professionals.
• Originate value-enhancing strategies, document them, gain approval and execute them.
• Develop financial metrics and risks for inorganic acquisitions, divestitures or commercial initiatives.
• Lead the end-to-end M&A process: target identification, strategic rationale, financial modelling, due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation and post-merger integration oversight.
• Prepare Board papers, investment committee submissions and executive briefings.
• Manage relationships with external advisers such as investment banks, legal counsel, accountants and actuaries.
• Partner with operational teams to validate the business case, identify risks and issues, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Produce presentation packs and bid documentation for senior management, the Board and shareholders.

Required profile

• Strong knowledge of life insurance financial metrics and capital requirements, and of the Australian regulatory environment (APRA, ASIC, ACCC, FIRB).
• Proven track record of leading junior professionals through the full execution of a transaction.
• Deep understanding of valuation methodologies, financial modelling, deal structuring and negotiation.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, able to engage with C-suite executives, regulators and external advisers.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance ambition with disciplined risk management.

What we offer

• Flexible and blended ways of working.
• Learning, leadership development programs, LinkedIn Learning and global career opportunities through the Daiichi Life Group.
• TAL-funded life, income protection and total and permanent disability insurance, plus employee insurance discounts.
• Wellbeing support including an Employee Assistance Program, annual flu vaccinations and health initiatives.
• Paid parental leave, wellbeing leave, community leave and purchased leave options.
• TAL Rewards Plus with discounts at hundreds of retailers and services.