A leading professional services firm is expanding its Consumer & Retail Strategy and Commercial Due Diligence team and is seeking an Associate Director to play a senior role in delivery and team leadership.

The team

The Consumer & Retail team sits within a wider Deals and Strategy platform and advises private equity, corporates and founders across retail, consumer goods, leisure and digitally enabled consumer businesses. The group works closely with M&A, Transaction Services and Value Creation colleagues, delivering integrated support across the deal lifecycle. The practice is growing rapidly, with strong partner sponsorship and a clear ambition to build a market-leading Consumer & Retail franchise.

The role

As Associate Director, you will lead CDD and growth strategy engagements, acting as a senior day-to-day client contact while supporting Directors and Partners on origination, practice development and team growth. You will help shape the Consumer & Retail proposition, contribute to thought leadership, and play a key role in developing junior talent.

Key responsibilities

• Lead multiple Consumer & Retail CDD and strategy workstreams end-to-end
• Manage teams and ensure high-quality, insight-led outputs
• Support Directors and Partners with business development and market scanning
• Build trusted relationships with clients, investors and internal stakeholders
• Contribute to methodology development, innovation and thought leadership
• Support recruitment, training, mentoring and performance management
• Take responsibility for risk, compliance and ethical delivery

Candidate profile

• Strong experience delivering Commercial Due Diligence and growth strategy projects
• Clear Consumer, Retail, FMCG or Leisure sector focus
• Proven team leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Exposure to business development and client relationship support
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment