Senior Associate – Corporate Development

Senior Associate – Corporate Development & M&A

On-Site | Abu Dhabi

AppliedAI is seeking a high-calibre Senior Associate to join our Corporate Development & M&A team.

You will work directly with the Chief Investment Officer and operate as part of a lean, high-impact team responsible for M&A, strategic partnerships, capital formation, and post-merger value creation across AAICO's global portfolio.

The ideal candidate brings strong investment banking or corporate finance training, is highly analytical, thrives in ambiguous high-velocity environments, and can independently own deal workstreams from DD through integration.

Key Responsibilities:

M&A & Transactions:

• Support and lead financial analysis for acquisitions, joint ventures, divestments, and strategic partnerships.
• Build and maintain detailed financial models (scenario modelling, project economics, valuation, sensitivity analyses).
• Coordinate inbound and outbound due diligence, including data room management, tracker maintenance, Q&A processes, and advisor coordination.
• Produce investment committee materials, board papers, management presentations, and transaction memos.
• Support term sheet drafting, commercial structuring, and early-stage deal negotiation.

Strategy & Corporate Development:

• Conduct industry and market analysis to support strategic decisions and identify target companies, partnerships, and market-entry opportunities.
• Support CIO/CFO with company-level strategic initiatives, including capital raising, portfolio rationalisation, and operational restructuring.
• Prepare high-quality pitch decks, strategic narratives, and business cases for internal and external stakeholders (sovereign wealth funds, regulators, partners, etc.).

Post-Merger Integration (PMI) & Value Creation:

• Design and track PMI workstreams across sales, operations, finance, technology, and HR.
• Develop integration roadmaps, synergy assessments, and 30/60/100-day plans.
• Work with functional leaders to track KPIs, milestones, and deliverables across merged entities.
• Assist in integration of AI-first operating models, workflow automation, and data-driven management techniques.

Financial Planning, Analysis & Modelling:

• Support development of operational and financial dashboards, budgets, forecasts, and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Assist the CIO in building financial and commercial models for strategic initiatives.

Candidate Profile:

Essential Experience:

• 4–7 years in investment banking, corporate finance, Big-4, management consulting, or in-house Corporate Development.
• Track record supporting M&A transactions, including modelling, DD execution, and preparation of investment materials.
• Strong financial modelling, valuation, and analytical capabilities—Excel-native, structured, and fast.
• Excellent written and visual communication (Pitch Decks, IC packs, Memos, ExCo briefings).
• Comfortable working in environments with incomplete data and rapidly evolving priorities.

Preferred Experience:

• Exposure to digital, enterprise software, AI, or technology-enabled services a plus.
• Previous experience in post-merger integration or operational improvement.
• Prior GCC experience helpful but not required.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong project management and ability to "own" workstreams independently.
• Exceptional attention to detail with ability to simplify complex structures into clear narratives.
• Strategic thinker with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• High integrity, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive information.
• Resilient, adaptable, and motivated by working in a scaling, international startup.

Why Join AAICO:

• Operate at the intersection of AI, technology, and M&A: one of the fastest-growing corporate development portfolios in the region.
• Fast-track exposure to senior leadership, dealmaking, and transformation projects across multiple geographies.
• Work directly with the CIO on multi-jurisdictional transactions, including acquisitions, joint ventures, capital raises, and strategic ecosystem-building.
• Experience the velocity, responsibility, and ownership that only a startup environment can offer, while building a real track record in high-value deals.
• Join a mission-driven company shaping the future of Applied AI across sectors.