Head of Strategic Transactions

Job description

Reporting to the General Manager Enterprise Solutions, M&A and Strategic Projects, you will lead the team across all stages of a transaction’s lifecycle, working closely with internal functional partners, business group leaders, counterparties and external advisers. You will oversee the end‑to‑end financial due diligence process, including directing modelling, valuation and analysis completed by junior team members, and ensuring robust, high‑quality outputs that support sound decision‑making. Partnering with operational teams, you will lead transaction execution and due diligence activities to validate the business case, identify key risks and issues, and clearly articulate areas of uncertainty, potential outcomes and risk exposure. You will work collaboratively with the business and deal team to develop and implement appropriate mitigation strategies, ensuring transaction structuring and documentation remain aligned to the commercial rationale. You will also prepare clear, succinct materials for senior management, the Board and shareholders, including presentation packs and bid documentation, translating complex analysis into practical insights and implications. In this role you will: Build, mentor and develop a small team of high-performing professionals Originate value enhancing strategies, and ideas, document, syndicate, gain approval and execute. Develop financial metrics and risks for inorganic acquisition opportunities, divestiture opportunities or general commercial initiatives Lead the end-to-end M&A process, including target identification, strategic rationale development, financial modelling, due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, and post-merger integration oversight Prepare Board papers, investment committee submissions, and executive briefings to support transaction decision-making. Manage relationships with external advisers, including investment banks, legal counsel, accountants, and actuarial consultants. Strong knowledge of Life Insurance financial metrics and Capital requirements and a knowledge of the Australian regulatory environment, including APRA, ASIC, ACCC, and FIRB. A proven track record of leading of junior professionals throughout the end-to-end execution of a transaction Deep understanding of valuation methodologies, financial modelling, deal structuring, and negotiation. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage credibly with C-suite executives, regulators, and external advisers and a strong ability to communicate and to articulate complex concepts Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance strategic ambition with disciplined risk management We will be upgrading the way you apply for jobs at TAL and therefore our job ads will be temporarily unavailable from 5pm Friday 23rd October until 9am Monday 26 October 2026. All job application deadlines will be extended to ensure you have ample time to apply. We look forward to seeing your application . TAL is one of Australia’s leading life insurers, committed to inclusion, and supporting the career growth of our diverse workforce. We’re proud to be: An Inclusive Employer – Recognised as Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency and Bronze Tier Status within the Australian Workplace Equality Index Diversity Champions – Member of Diversity Council Australia, Australian Disability Network, Pride in Diversity and Champions of Change Reconciliation Advocates – Read our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan . We welcome applications from people with diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, caregivers, individuals living with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and the LGBTIQ+ community. Need adjustments during the recruitment process? Let our team know by getting in touch with us here. —we’re here to support you. You’re always accountable for your actions. You never give up. You strive to find the best outcomes for customers and partners. And you value working together to find the best solutions for problems. As part of the recruitment process, there are several checks which may be conducted to demonstrate your eligibility for a role at TAL including Criminal History, Bankruptcy, Entitlement to Work, Regulatory and Reference Checks. #LI-Hybrid Everyone at TAL has a responsibility to do the right thing and is accountable for the way they conduct themselves. Our expectations are that you follow the principles set out in our Code of Conduct when you come to work every day. Risk management is everyone’s responsibility. If you are already a TAL employee please apply via the SmartRecruiters button in Workday and navigate to the Employee Portal. This is important to ensure that your application is recorded accurately . Shape the future of insurance with innovative ideas and technologies that improve the lives of millions of Australians Take advantage of well-being initiatives designed to support your mental and physical health, ensuring a balanced lifestyle Take your career further than you ever imagined with diverse roles and opportunities for personal and professional development Welcome to TAL. As a leading life insurer, we’ve been protecting Australians for over 150 years. Backed by Daiichi Life, we're driven by big ambitions and empower to create better products and services. Together with our Partners, we’re helping millions of Australians live a life filled with choices, options, and freedoms. See the direct impact you make delivering support and financial security with care and expertise. Grow beyond expectations with diverse roles, global connections, and exclusive learning opportunities. Work with passionate, bright and capable colleagues. Feel inspired by supportive leaders. Collaborate with heart, where flexibility, wellbeing and inclusivity is valued. Together, we're reimagining insurance. So, bring a curious mind and an ambition to help us become the progressive, digitally enabled leading insurer.