Senior Specialist, Business Development (M&A)

About the role

This role supports the origination, evaluation and execution of M&A, joint venture, partnership and investment opportunities across ADNOC's Trading and Downstream ecosystem. It provides the analytical and commercial foundation for the Trading Business Development (M&A) function, covering market scanning, opportunity screening, financial modelling, valuation, due diligence coordination and preparation of decision-ready materials. The role works within deal teams under the direction of senior team members and contributes to assessing new organic and inorganic downstream growth opportunities across gas, refining, chemicals, fuels distribution, marketing, trading and shipping.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct market scanning and research to identify targets and competitors, and produce market intelligence reports.
• Screen opportunities against strategic fit, commercial merit and investment thresholds, and maintain the deal pipeline tracker.
• Analyse supply and demand dynamics and margin drivers across gas, refining, chemicals, fuels and trading.
• Build and maintain financial models and valuations (DCF, comparables, scenario and sensitivity analysis) and calculate IRR, NPV and payback.
• Prepare business cases, including market analysis, value proposition, economics, risk assessment and implementation considerations.
• Coordinate data requests, data rooms and Q&A, track advisor deliverables and summarise due diligence findings.
• Support deal teams in negotiations and execution, including negotiation briefs, term sheet comparisons and transaction documentation inputs.
• Prepare investment committee, executive and Board submission materials, briefing notes and presentations.
• Liaise with AGT, AT, DM&T Strategy, Finance & Investment, Legal and Downstream Business Lines, and with external advisors, consultants and potential partners.
• Support integration planning, contribute to the division's business plan and annual budget, and report pipeline updates and deal status.
• Apply and improve M&A tools, templates and standards, comply with HSE and risk management policies, and share knowledge with analysts and UAE National graduates.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• 7-9 years' experience in M&A, corporate finance, investment banking, transaction advisory, strategy consulting or business development, with direct involvement in transactions or investment evaluations.
• Experience in energy, oil and gas, downstream or commodity trading is preferred; exposure to structured finance, principal investing or business development in a commodity trading house is highly relevant.
• Preferred certifications: CFA (or progress towards), ACA/ACCA, CPA or a recognised financial modelling / M&A certification.

Required skills

• Strong financial modelling (Excel) and valuation skills.
• Working knowledge of due diligence and transaction processes.
• Excellent analytical, written and presentation skills, able to produce executive-ready materials.