Senior Director M&A Consulting

WTW is seeking a Senior Director to join our market-leading European Human Resources Mergers & Acquisitions (HR M&A) team within Integrated & Global Solutions (IGS). Based in the Netherlands, you will be part of a global and dedicated M&A team who advises HQ clients on the people implications of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, joint ventures and other corporate transactions.

Our Global M&A Consulting Team support clients from pre-deal readiness and due diligence through sign-to-close planning, Day 1 readiness, separation, integration and transition to business as usual. Our work spans HR strategy, organisation and talent, rewards, benefits, retirement, employee experience, change and communications.

The team leads complex, multi-country and cross-disciplinary engagements, coordinating WTW specialists and local market expertise to deliver practical, commercially focused advice. 

We are a collaborative and entrepreneurial team that shares expertise, develops new solutions and gives colleagues the opportunity to build a distinctive profile in the M&A market. We support flexible working and value sustainable ways of working in a fast-paced environment.

The Role

As a Senior Director, you will be responsible for building client relationships and delivering complex HR M&A engagements across Europe and globally. You will be responsible for developing client solutions, translating a client’s request into project work, working with the senior leadership on the team to mobilise the right multidisciplinary team and provide senior stakeholders with practical advice at pace. The role combines strategic consulting, programme management, building a commercial development skillset and contribution to the continued growth of WTW's M&A practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support key relationships with senior stakeholders across Corporate Development, HR, Finance, Legal and integration or separation teams.

• Shape client needs into clear, commercially sound scopes of work, proposals, workplans and governance arrangements.

• Direct complex, multi-country engagements across the deal lifecycle, including M&A readiness, HR due diligence, people risk assessment, sign-to-close planning, Day 1 readiness, carve-out and stand-up, post-merger integration and benefits harmonisation.

• Identify material people risks, liabilities, costs, dependencies and value opportunities, ensuring conclusions are concise, evidence based and decision useful.

• Support the team who advise on the people implications of transaction structures, including employee transfers, standalone benefit arrangements, transition service dependencies and the design of sustainable future-state programmes.

• Coordinate cross-disciplinary WTW teams across reward, retirement, health and benefits, talent, organisation, employee experience, change and communications, drawing on local country expertise where required.

• Support programme governance, senior stakeholder reporting, issue resolution, quality assurance, financial management and delivery against demanding transaction timetables.

• Share your expertise to develop client M&A capabilities through readiness assessments, playbooks, governance models, training and tailored workshops.

• Use WTW data, technology and analytical tools to improve the quality, consistency and speed of insight and decision-making.

• Identify and convert new business opportunities, expand existing relationships and connect clients with relevant capabilities across WTW.

• Contribute to market visibility through thought leadership, client events, conferences and the development of intellectual capital, methodologies and delivery standards.

• Coach project teams, share knowledge and help build a high-performing, inclusive and commercially focused European M&A community.

The Requirements

• Substantial consulting or corporate experience in HR M&A, with a track record across due diligence, carve-out, separation, Day 1 readiness and/or post-deal integration.

• Strong knowledge in one or more relevant disciplines, such as international benefits, retirement, reward, talent, organisation, change or complex programme management, combined with the ability to connect issues across the wider people agenda.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-country projects and multidisciplinary teams in fast-moving, confidential environments.

• Credibility with senior client stakeholders and the ability to convert complex analysis into clear implications, options and recommendations.

• Commercial experience in originating, shaping and selling consulting work, including proposal development, pricing, negotiation and account growth.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to facilitate workshops and present to senior audiences.

• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to build trusted networks across countries, cultures and business lines.

• Sound judgement, resilience and composure when priorities shift, information is incomplete and deadlines are compressed.

• A proactive, inclusive and client-focused approach, with a commitment to developing colleagues and continuously improving how work is delivered.

• Professional fluency in English. Additional European language capability is advantageous.

• Willingness to travel within Europe and occasionally further afield, subject to client and project requirements.

What Success Looks Like

• Clients receive clear, timely and practical advice that supports informed deal decisions and effective execution.

• Complex engagements are delivered to a consistently high standard, with strong governance, commercial control and constructive stakeholder relationships.

• WTW's full capabilities are brought together around client needs, generating measurable relationship growth and follow-on work.

• The European M&A team continues to strengthen its market profile, intellectual capital, delivery capability and talent pipeline.

The Company

WTW provides data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. We work with organisations around the world to help them make better decisions, protect and strengthen their workforce, and deliver sustainable business outcomes.

Equal Opportunity

WTW is committed to equal employment opportunity and to creating an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable local requirements.