Senior Associate - Mergers & Acquisitions

Willis Towers Watson is a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company with a rich history. We specialize in transforming risk into growth opportunities for our clients by delivering tailored strategies that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and enhance capital.

We are seeking a Senior Associate to join our Australian-based Mergers & Acquisitions team. This role can be based in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane. You will play a crucial part in the origination, management, and closing of M&A insurance transactions, focusing primarily on the Australian and New Zealand markets. Your expertise will contribute to crafting effective risk management strategies that drive superior results for our clients.

The Role

Forming a key part of the Australian based team you will be responsible for assisting with the origination, management and closing of M&A (Mergers & Acquisition) insurance transactions with a key focus on Australia and New Zealand. The role involves:

• Engaging with other M&A stakeholders (lawyers, investment banks, accounting firms, investment funds, private equity funds and corporate clients) to develop relationships and deliver transaction insurance solutions to existing clients and prospective clients.
• Developing strong technical expertise in delivering bespoke transaction insurance solutions to existing WTW clients and prospective clients.
• Reviewing sale and purchase agreements, due diligence reports and other transaction documents, negotiating policy terms and changes, and producing reports and advice as requested.
• Delivering superior client service by being responsive and available to meet clients’ demands and timelines. You will need excellent time management skills and be aware of the time sensitive nature of M&A transactions, often being required to handle and manage multiple M&A deals at any one time.
• Growing and maintaining strong relationships with all transaction risk insurers in Australia and globally, as well as with M&A advisors, including banks, law firms, accounting firms, investment funds, private equity firms, and relevant professional or industry groups.
• Raising awareness of transaction insurance solutions through education of and marketing to M&A advisors.
• Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to maintain and grow strong client and insurer relationships.
• Facilitating the timely and successful settlement of your clients’ claims and related claims advocacy.
• Maintain comprehensive client data on our internal systems, facilities and databases. 
• Ensure all documentation is prepared in accordance with company service and compliance procedures and tools.
• Understand and leverage the wider capabilities of Willis Towers Watson both locally and internationally.
• Drive innovation through understanding current and future client needs in the context of market dynamics, identify growth and product opportunities.
• Assist with a wide range of tasks, including drafting requests for proposals and attending presentations and pitches with potential clients.

The Requirements

• A law degree is preferred, with at least 3 years post-qualification experience.
• Delivering superior client service by being responsive and available to meet clients’ demands and timelines.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively and confidently communicate with and present to clients and other M&A advisors.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of all aspects of M&A deals, including disclosure and due diligence processes, as well as drafting and negotiation of transaction documentation.
• Financial and accounting literacy.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze transaction documents and financial statements and discern and provide advice on related risks.
• Drafting, proofreading, and producing high-quality reports for your team and external clients.
• Strong people skills with the ability to work with others under pressure, resolve conflict, and negotiate effectively.
• Collegiate attitude and pride in the delivery of service.
• Being self-motivated and able to take ownership and accountability for the development and execution of projects and relationships.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as in teams when required.
• Proven ability and interest in assisting with business development activities and networking.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders across the business.
• It is critical that you have excellent attention to detail.

Note: Employment-based visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity. 

Why Join WTW?

WTW provides a competitive benefits package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

• Annual bonus
• Company paid salary continuance insurance
• Life and TPD insurance 
• Hybrid working
• Networks (Gender, Wellbeing, Pride)
• Career Growth – internal opportunities and development programs

At WTW, we trust you to know your work and the people, tools and environment you need to be successful. The majority of our colleagues work in a ”hybrid” style, with a mix of in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients. Our flexibility is rooted in trust and “hybrid” is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

We understand flexibility is key to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and so we encourage requests for all types of flexible working. Please speak to your recruiter to discuss more.

At WTW, we believe that a culture of inclusion and diversity is critical to our business. It's not a separate initiative – rather it’s fundamental to everything we do. We are an equal-opportunity employer who is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and embrace diversity including gender, nationality, disability, age, marital/parental status, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. 

In the spirit of reconciliation, WTW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. 

We are a 2024 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.