14 M A jobs in South Africa

• Competitive salary range: R900K-R1.2M ZAR + bonus.
• Hybrid work model in Sunninghill or Cape Town.
• Investment Banking + M&A experience Essential.

Our client is seeking a dynamic 
M&A Associate – Investment Banking
  to join their Corporate Development team in a hybrid role based in Sunninghill or Cape Town. If you have a background in investment banking (Investec, RMB) or private equity, this is your chance to shape the strategic growth of a Private Equity-backed technology company.

What You'll Do:

• Drive their M&A strategy alongside Go-to-Market and Product teams.
• Identify, evaluate, and source acquisition targets aligned with strategic objectives.
• Manage end-to-end M&A processes, including sourcing, due diligence, and integration.
• Collaborate with external advisors across commercial, financial, technology, and legal due diligence.
• Provide regular updates and strategic insights to the Executive Committee.
• Ensure smooth integration of acquired businesses into their operations.

What We're Looking For:

• Essential Qualifications:
   Bachelor's degree, 3-5 years of experience in investment banking or private equity, proven track record in managing M&A processes.
• Skills & Knowledge:
   Strong understanding of M&A fundamentals, financial statements, and valuation multiples.
• Personal Traits:
   Self-motivated, pragmatic problem solver, ownership-driven, and capable of managing multiple workstreams.

Why Join Them?

• Competitive salary range: R900K-R1.2M ZAR + bonus.
• Excellent benefits and a Personal Development Plan.
• Hybrid work model in Sunninghill or Cape Town.
• Be part of a key strategic pillar in a fast-growing technology company.
• Ready to make an impact? Apply now and take ownership of their growth journey

The M&A Associate will assist in shaping and supporting SYSPRO's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) efforts. The role will be key in finding potential companies to acquire, working with external advisors during the due diligence process, and documenting updates on progress for the Executive teams. The role will also be key in supporting the smooth integration of acquired companies into SYSPRO's operations, working closely with teams like Go-to-Market and Product to ensure alignment.

• Collaborate with Go-to-Market and Product teams to shape and refine SYSPRO's M&A strategy.
• Identify, evaluate, and source potential acquisition targets aligned with strategic objectives.
• Oversee and coordinate third-party advisors across commercial, financial, technology, and legal due diligence processes.
• Prepare regular updates and strategic insights to ensure that the Executive Committee is updated and engaged with M&A activities.
• Support the functional integration of acquired businesses to ensure alignment with SYSPRO's operational and strategic goals.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience in investment banking
• Proven experience managing end-to-end M&A processes, including sourcing, due diligence, and integration.

Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of M&A fundamentals (including Enterprise Value vs. Equity Value, Valuation Multiples)
• Experience in navigating Financials Statements (including Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement)
• Self-motivated and invigorated from involvement in shaping key strategic pillar of Private Equity-backed technology company
• Interest in seeking ownership and responsibility for key process milestones and deliverables
• Pragmatic problem solver with can-do attitude and track record of driving projects towards execution
• Experience and comfort with structuring multiple project workstreams to progress in parallel
• Maintain pipeline of acquisition targets by building relationships with target stakeholders

SYSPRO is a leading, global Enterprise Resource Planning software provider that was established in 1978. SYSPRO specializes in key manufacturing and distribution industries. With a strong commitment to channel partner growth and offices in the United States, Canada, Africa, the UK, Asia, and Australasia, SYSPRO customers are backed by a team of global experts who drive maximum value out of IT systems and business solutions. When you work at SYSPRO, it's more than just a job. You are part of a global force that uses innovation to enhance the way businesses operate. And we have fun doing it.

Department:
Corporate Finance

Location:
Johannesburg

Description
We are part of a fast-growing professional services firm that is dedicated to championing small and medium businesses and helping communities prosper, right across the UK and Ireland as well as South Africa. This is a unique opportunity to join an ambitious team at the early stages of its journey.

You'll work closely with senior members of the M&A team and stakeholders across the business to analyse financial data, prepare valuation models, and support due diligence efforts.

Please ensure your application is submitted by Friday 12 September 2025

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse historical and forecasted P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow data for target firms.
• Build and maintain Excel-based financial models, including valuation and sensitivity analyses.
• Support the preparation of investment committee papers, due diligence reports, and internal reports.
• Assist in financial due diligence and liaise with external advisors where needed.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, and Integration teams to help manage deal execution.
• Conduct market research and support the identification of acquisition targets.
• Monitor and maintain accuracy of the acquisition pipeline.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A newly qualified CA(SA) / ACCA accountant, ideally with a background in transaction services, or alternatively from audit or general practice.
• Naturally analytical with strong attention to detail and a commercial mindset.
• Curious about corporate finance, private equity, or transaction services—and ready to learn.
• Strong Excel skills – ability to work confidently with large data sets and build databooks.
• Solid understanding of financial statements, especially P&L and balance sheets.
• Effective communicator - able to summarise findings clearly for non-finance audiences.
• Comfortable working to deadlines and managing multiple workstreams.

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience in financial modelling, valuation, or due diligence (formal or informal).
• Exposure to M&A, transaction services, or corporate finance teams.
• Familiarity with PowerPoint and Power BI.

As part of the Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”) team, this critical function is responsible for high-quality B2B account management activities which includes, but is not limited to, researching, identification, screening of transaction opportunities, and consistently generating a high volume of quality activities resulting in meaningful dialogue in assigned vertical software markets and regions.

Lead Generation

• Consistently generate a high volume of high-quality activities and interactions on behalf of Executives and C-suite (including but not limited to virtual meetings, calls, site visits, face-to-face engagements/meetings at industry events, roadshows) targeting companies in the African region and globally that meet the company’s acquisition criteria.
• Where applicable, coordinate relevant arrangements (such as travel for site visits and interaction format) on behalf of a global team (accommodating time zones and various travel arrangements).
• Support company goal of being recognized as the acquiror of choice in the African region by articulating Adapt IT’s acquisition criteria and value proposition verbally and in writing.
• Increase the company’s M&A brand credibility in writing and through cold outreaches.
• Identify, connect, and maintain contact with identified businesses regularly, including identifying communication opportunities throughout the year.
• Demonstrate creativity, persistence, and credibility in reaching out to Owners, Operators, and C-Suite leadership across various formats (LinkedIn, cold calls, cold emails, etc.).
• Leverage digital marketing campaigns to generate leads and prospect engagement (Launch & monitor marketing campaigns for events/webinars/roadshows).

M&A Activities: Administration and Record Keeping

• Track activity and maintain clear records in CRM and report regularly on KPIs (in addition to maintaining accurate records of calls, meetings, transaction materials, etc.).
• Perform any other reasonable duties as required.

Research and Analysis

• Perform industry and trend research, market analysis, and market sizing to execute our M&A strategy.
• Demonstrate business acumen in the research, analysis, qualification, and assessment of acquisition targets. Work with the Corporate Development Executive to identify high probability prospects looking to further explore the M&A process.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

• Matric/Grade 12 or Equivalent.
• Minimum 8 years in long-cycle enterprise/B2B software sales or at a bank OR 5 years’ experience in M&A/VC/PE lead, transaction, and deal origination (focusing on the technology sector).

Desired Skills and Qualities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills – ability to connect with stakeholders at the highest level in a confident, thoughtful, and insightful manner. The ideal candidate is a persistent, resilient, and enthusiastic self-starter who has a warm email and phone manner and can be relied upon to represent the company with a high degree of professionalism and integrity. Extensive cold-calling and virtual outreach experience are considered an asset.
• Teamwork – we work independently but win as a team and lose as a team. The ideal candidate is ambitious, energetic, collaborative, and driven to hit KPI monthly targets because of its impacts on overall team goals. The candidate will work closely with the Executive to ensure the smooth transition to later stages of the process and has a growth mindset.
• Results-oriented and excels in a KPI-driven environment: the ideal candidate is self-motivated and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, data-driven, and KPI-focused environment. They are driven to succeed not only in achieving but exceeding monthly KPI/targets independently and able to work under pressure to meet weekly and monthly deadlines.
• Strong research and organizational skills, excels at prioritization, and demonstrates proactive planning related to outreach and calendar management (including but not limited to ad-hoc projects and industry events).
• Proficient with various sales software and tools - including but not limited to, Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook), Salesforce CRM, and similar sales tools.
• Basic business/financial literacy - including understanding of concepts such as revenue generation, business and pricing models, profitability, and enterprise valuation.
• Professional fluency in English (other languages an asset).
• No travel required; full-time role in the Midrand office.

As part of the Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”) team, this critical function is responsible for high-quality B2B account management activities which include, but are not limited to, researching, identifying, screening transaction opportunities, and consistently generating a high volume of quality activities resulting in meaningful dialogue in assigned vertical software markets and regions.

Lead Generation

• Consistently generate high volume of high-quality activities and interactions on behalf of Executives and C-suite (including but not limited to virtual meetings, calls, site visits, face-to-face engagements/meetings at industry events, roadshows) targeting companies in the African region and globally that meet the company’s acquisition criteria.
• Where applicable, coordinate relevant arrangements (such as travel for site visits and interaction format) on behalf of a global team (accommodating time zones and various travel arrangements).

Support the company goal of being recognized as the acquiror of choice in the African region by:

• Articulating Adapt IT’s acquisition criteria and value proposition verbally and in writing.
• Increasing the company’s M&A brand credibility in writing and through cold outreach.

Identify, connect, and maintain contact with identified businesses regularly, including identifying communication opportunities throughout the year.

Demonstrate creativity, persistence, and credibility in reaching out to Owners, Operators, and C-Suite leadership across various formats (LinkedIn, cold calls, cold emails, etc.).

Leverage digital marketing campaigns to generate leads and prospect engagement (launch and monitor marketing campaigns for events/webinars/roadshows).

• Track activity and maintain clear records in CRM and report regularly on KPIs (in addition to maintaining accurate records of calls, meetings, transaction materials, etc.).
• Perform any other reasonable duties as required.

• Perform industry and trend research, market analysis, and market sizing to execute our M&A strategy.
• Demonstrate business acumen in the research, analysis, qualification, and assessment of acquisition targets. Work with the Corporate Development Executive to identify high-probability prospects looking to further explore the M&A process.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements

• Matric/Grade 12 or Equivalent.
• Minimum 8 years in long-cycle enterprise/B2B software sales or at a bank OR 5 years’ experience in M&A/VC/PE lead, transaction and deal origination (focusing on the technology sector).

Desired Skills and Qualities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills – ability to connect with stakeholders at the highest level in a confident, thoughtful, and insightful manner.
• Teamwork – we work independently but win as a team and lose as a team.
• Results-oriented and excels in a KPI-driven environment.
• Strong research and organizational skills, excels at prioritization and demonstrates proactive planning related to outreach and calendar management.
• Proficient with various sales software and tools - including but not limited to Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook), Salesforce CRM, and similar sales tools.
• Basic business/financial literacy - including understanding of concepts such as revenue generation, business and pricing models, profitability, and enterprise valuation.
• Professional fluency in English (other languages an asset).

No travel required; full-time role in the Midrand office.

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Participate in a professional development programme in order to maximise individual and organisational development, through the execution of predefined training objectives.

• Workplace experiences: Attend and participate in all workplace experiences against agreed development objectives
• Learning: Attend and participate in all training and development interventions against agreed development objectives
• Ad Hoc duties: Provide support to customers and team as required to ensure team performance on an ongoing basis
• Administration: Effectively fulfil all required administrative duties, including tracking and reporting

Bachelors Degree and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised