Growth Planning & Analysis, Manager

We are seeking a dynamic Growth Planning & Analysis Manager to drive our client's ambitious growth strategy. You will be a key driver for our strategic expansion and responsible for managing the end-to-end M&A lifecycle.  You will identify and nurture a pipeline of acquisition targets, conduct rigorous financial analysis and valuation, and lead the due diligence processes.  This role involves supporting deal negotiations, coordinating with stakeholders to secure successful closings, and assisting in post-acquisition integration to ensure realized synergies.  By leveraging deep market research and cross-functional collaboration, you will provide the data-driven insights necessary to execute our M&A strategy and achieve our portfolio growth objectives. Target Identification& Nurturing:  Research, prioritize and maintain a pipeline of potential acquisition targets. Build and manage relationships through ongoing outreach/meetings/site visits and tracking all activities in the CRM system. Financial Analysis &Modeling:  Develop comprehensivefinancial models to assess target valuation, profitability and key operational trends to ensure strategic and financial alignment. Due Diligence Management:  Lead the due diligence process, coordinating with external advisors to conduct in-depth assessments of financial, operational, legal, and regulatory compliance. Deal Execution Support:  Actively support negotiation processes, contribute to drafting term sheets and coordinate with stakeholders to advance deals toward a successful closing. Post-AcquisitionIntegration:  Assist in the integration of acquired entities, focusing on operational alignment, staff retention and communication strategies to ensure asmooth transition. Market & Competitive Intelligence:  Continuously monitor industry trends, the competitive landscape and regulatory changes to inform and refine the company's acquisition strategy. Stakeholder Collaboration:  Work with the Head of Departments, internal teams and external advisors to ensure effective execution from initial contact through integration. Key PerformanceIndicators (KPIs) - Pipeline Management: Maintain a qualified pipeline of 10-15 acquisition targets (K-12 schools with1,000–1,500 students). Deal Flow Velocity:  Successfully close 1-2 acquisitions per year (subject to transaction value), with each deal completed within a 12 month cycle. Integration Contribution:  Dedicate approximately [20%] of time to post-acquisition integrationtasks, supporting key milestones. CRM Hygiene:  Achieve 100% accuracy and timeliness in logging all target interactions and progress within the designated CRM system. Due Diligence Excellence:  Lead due diligence processes that are completed on schedule and comprehensively address all key risk areas (financial, operational, legal etc.) The Ideal Candidate: • 5+ years of experience in M&A, corporate development, private equity, or investment banking, preferably with exposure to education or consumer services sectors. • Proven track record of managing deal processes, including financial modeling and due diligence. • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field; MBA or equivalent preferred. • Strong financial analysis and modeling skills (e.g., Excel, valuation tools). • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to engage school owners and stakeholders. • Knowledge of K-12 education metrics (e.g., enrollment, curricula) or ability to learn quickly. • Proficiency in CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) and market research platforms (e.g., PitchBook). • Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. • Experience in international M&A or education-specific acquisitions. • Regional expertise (e.g., Asia, Middle East) and language skills for target markets.