Deputy Head of Mergers and Acquisitions

About the Role

At Equitable, we help clients secure their financial well-being so they can pursue long and fulfilling lives - a mission we’ve honed since 1859.

Equitable's Corporate Development team is seeking an accomplished Deputy Head of M &A. Reporting to the Head of M&A and Business CFO for Institutional and Wealth Management, this senior leadership role will help shape and execute the company’s M&A strategy across Retirement, Wealth Management, and Asset Management with a particular focus on Wealth Management. The Deputy Head will partner with executive and business leaders to originate and evaluate strategic opportunities, lead complex transactions, and build key market relationships that advance Equitable’s long-term growth objectives.

What You’ll Be Doing

M &A Strategy & Strategic Planning: Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute the enterprise M&A strategy across Retirement, Wealth Management, and Asset Management, with particular emphasis on Wealth Management as a strategic growth priority. Align acquisition, divestiture, reinsurance, and partnership opportunities with the firm’s long-term growth and strategic objectives.

Market Intelligence & Target Identification: Develop a comprehensive view of priority markets, industry trends, competitive activity, and potential targets, with deeper coverage of the broker-dealer and RIA landscape. Translate market insights into actionable acquisition themes, sourcing priorities, and transaction opportunities.

Deal Origination & Pipeline Development: Proactively originate and evaluate acquisition, divestiture, reinsurance, and strategic partnership opportunities. Build and actively manage a high-quality pipeline aligned with enterprise priorities, including targeted outreach, inbound opportunity assessment, and dedicated Wealth Management coverage.

Strategic Relationship Development: Build and maintain senior-level relationships with prospective targets, business owners, industry executives, investment banks, consultants, legal advisors, reinsurers, and other key market participants to strengthen the firm’s M&A network and generate strategic opportunities.

Transaction Leadership & Execution: Lead complex transactions from initial evaluation through execution, coordinating internal and external stakeholders and maintaining disciplined governance, strategic alignment, and effective execution throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Financial Analysis, Valuation & Deal Structuring: Lead and oversee financial modeling, valuation, transaction structuring, and scenario analysis to assess strategic and financial attractiveness, including transaction returns, cash flow implications, and accretion/dilution considerations.

Due Diligence & Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead enterprise-wide due diligence and coordinate cross-functional teams across business, finance, legal, tax, accounting, actuarial, risk, investments, and operations to evaluate opportunities, identify key considerations and risks, and support transaction decisions.

Negotiation & Counterparty Engagement: Partner with executive leadership, legal counsel, and external advisors in negotiations with counterparties, including the evaluation and development of LOIs/IOIs, term sheets, transaction documents, commercial terms, and required approvals.

Executive Communication & M&A Reporting: Develop and present strategic recommendations, transaction materials, pipeline updates, sourcing activity, and performance insights for senior leadership and other key stakeholders. Monitor transaction progress and relevant performance measures to support informed decision-making and ongoing M&A strategy.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with an on–site presence of 2–3 days per week combining flexibility with team collaboration.

The total targeted compensation range for this position is $425,000 - $550,000. Total compensation varies based on skills, experience, geographical location and other factors. Equitable provides compensation to reward performance with base salary increases, spot bonuses, and short-term incentive compensation opportunities. Eligibility for these programs depends on level and functional area of responsibility.

For eligible employees, Equitable provides a full range of benefits. This includes medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off. For detailed descriptions of these benefits, please reference the link below.

Equitable Pay and Benefits: Equitable Total Rewards Program