Summary

A leading international pharmaceutical group is seeking a Head of Mergers & Acquisitions to drive its inorganic growth strategy across Europe and selected international markets.

This is a high-impact leadership role focused on identifying, evaluating and executing acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures and product portfolio transactions across the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. The successful candidate will play a key role in expanding the organisation's footprint, supporting both the core generics business and wider healthcare interests.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of end-to-end M&A execution within the pharmaceutical industry, with particular preference given to candidates from generics or off-patent medicine environments. Whilst sector experience is important, the ability to successfully originate, negotiate, execute and integrate transactions is considered the most critical success factor.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the organisation's M&A and corporate development strategy in line with global growth objectives.
Identify, evaluate and prioritise acquisition, licensing, joint venture and strategic partnership opportunities.
Lead end-to-end transaction processes including target identification, valuation, due diligence, negotiation, execution and integration.
Assess opportunities involving companies, product portfolios, brands and marketing authorisations.
Build and maintain financial models, business cases and investment recommendations for executive leadership.
Lead cross-functional deal teams involving finance, legal, regulatory, commercial and operational stakeholders.
Manage relationships with external advisers, investment banks, consultants and transaction counterparties.
Support expansion into existing and new European markets through inorganic growth initiatives.
Evaluate opportunities across both the core pharmaceutical business and wider healthcare-related group companies.
Monitor market trends, competitor activity and emerging strategic opportunities.
Present investment opportunities and recommendations to senior leadership and board-level stakeholders.
Support post-acquisition integration planning and execution to ensure value realisation.

Requirements

Minimum 10+ years' experience in M&A, corporate development, investment, strategic partnerships or related transaction-focused roles.
Demonstrated track record of leading and executing end-to-end transactions from origination through to completion.
Proven experience within the pharmaceutical industry; generics or off-patent medicines experience strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of European pharmaceutical markets and commercial dynamics.
Experience evaluating acquisitions, product transactions, licensing opportunities and strategic partnerships.
Strong financial modelling, valuation, due diligence and negotiation capabilities.
Experience managing complex cross-border transactions.
Ability to work effectively across multiple functions including finance, legal, regulatory and commercial teams.
Strong stakeholder management and leadership skills.
Entrepreneurial, commercially minded and execution-focused approach.
Experience across Europe is essential; exposure to MENA markets would be advantageous but is not required.
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Law or a related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
EU citizenship required.
Must be based in the Netherlands or willing to relocate to the Netherlands without sponsorship.

Non-Negotiables

Proven end-to-end M&A execution experience.
Demonstrable track record of successfully completed transactions.
Pharmaceutical industry experience.
Ability to operate within a highly international, cross-border environment.
Eligibility to live and work in the Netherlands without sponsorship.

To Apply

gjohnstone@barringtonjames.com
+441293778666

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Head of Mergers and Acquisitions

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