The Role
The M&A & Investments Manager will join a small, high-performing Group team and play a key role in executing GLS’s strategy across M&A and strategic investments.
The role offers hands-on, end-to-end exposure across acquisitions, investments and capital allocation decisions — from early-stage analysis and investment appraisal through execution, Board approvals and performance monitoring. This position is well suited to candidates looking to transition from an advisory environment (e.g. Big 4 Deal Advisory / Transaction Services) into an in-house role with ownership, influence and strategic visibility.
Key Relationships
- Reports to: Group M&A and Investments Director
- Works closely with:
- GLS Group CFO and Executive Management
- Group General Counsel
- Subsidiary Managing Directors and Finance Directors
- External advisers (financial, legal, tax, commercial)
Key Responsibilities
M&A
- Act as a core member of deal teams executing acquisitions, joint ventures and divestments across the GLS Group
- Lead financial analysis including valuation, comparable companies and precedent transaction analysis
- Screen and assess potential opportunities, evaluating strategic fit, investment rationale and financial attractiveness
- Build, review and challenge financial models, including scenario analysis and sensitivities
- Take ownership of defined deal workstreams, coordinating internal stakeholders and external advisers
- Prepare investment and acquisition papers for Executive Management and Board of Directors approval
- Support financial and commercial aspects of negotiations, including SPA terms and completion mechanisms
- Contribute to post-deal activities, including integration considerations and performance tracking
Investments and Capital Allocation
- Lead and support investment appraisal for strategic initiatives, including new infrastructure developments and greenfield projects
- Contribute to the development and ongoing evaluation of the GLS Group investment strategy
- Prepare detailed investment recommendation papers for Executive Management and Board approval
- Perform financial and operational controlling activities to track and monitor the roll-out and performance of GLS’s investment programme
- Work with business and finance stakeholders to support capital allocation decisions and improve investment discipline across the Group
Strategic & Ad-hoc Analysis
- Provide ad-hoc financial and strategic analysis for the Group CFO and senior management
- Support broader strategic initiatives and long-term planning where required
- Contribute to the development of team members through coaching, review of work output and sharing of best practices across M&A and investment activities
Candidate Profile
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or a related discipline
- Professional qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CFA) preferred
- 4+ years of experience in M&A, Deal Advisory or Transaction Services (e.g. Big 4), investment banking, private equity, or in-house corporate development
- Strong financial modelling skills with the ability to adopt best practice
- High-level valuation and investment analysis
- Commercial mindset with the ability to link financial analysis to strategic decision-making
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Comfortable operating in a lean, fast-paced and execution-focused environment
- Proactive, self-starting and able to take ownership of complex workstreams
- International outlook
- Right to work in the Netherlands
Why Join GLS?
- Principal investing role with direct involvement in decision-making (not an advisory position)
- High visibility and close interaction with the GLS Group Executive Committee and Board
- A combination of M&A execution and strategic investment appraisal, offering breadth and long-term development
- Opportunity to transition from advisory into hands-on, in-house ownership of outcomes
- International scope in a business with a strong acquisition and investment track record
- Flat structures, short decision-making lines and a collaborative culture
- Competitive salary with performance-related bonus
- Hybrid working model
- Long-term career opportunities in a future-proof, high-growth sector
