Associate Director – Advisory Analytics

Moore Kingston Smith is on an exciting growth journey to strengthen its position as a leading Corporate Finance and Advisory firm in the UK mid-market. As part of this growth, we are establishing a standalone Advisory Analytics offering to enhance the insight, quality and value we deliver to clients across the deal lifecycle and beyond. We are therefore seeking an Associate Director – Advisory Analytics to lead the creation and development of this new capability. Our Corporate Finance team operates across three key, collaborative services: M&A, Transaction Services, and Debt Advisory. This is an exciting new role for an analytics leader with deep Transaction Services and M&A experience, who is motivated by building something new. Sitting within Corporate Finance, the successful candidate will initially focus on Transaction Services and M&A, embedding advanced analytics into financial due diligence and transaction support. Over time, the role will lead the expansion of analytics capability across other advisory areas including, but not limited to, Forensics, Restructuring and Insolvency, and Growth Advisory. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced professional who wants to combine hands-on technical expertise with strategic leadership, client engagement and commercial growth. Working closely with Partners, Directors and our in-house analytics and digital transformation teams, you will take ownership of shaping the analytics vision, proposition and delivery model. You will play a critical role in developing client-facing analytics solutions, influencing how we go to market, and positioning Moore Kingston Smith as a leader in analytics-led advisory services. Key Responsibilities Analytics & AI Strategy: Taking senior ownership of the analytics and AI strategy for Transaction Services and M&A, with a clear mandate to develop this into a broader Advisory Analytics offering. Defining and evolving analytics methodologies, models and best practice to enhance the quality, depth and efficiency of advisory engagements. Working closely with Partners and Directors to identify how analytics can be deployed to solve client problems, differentiate our offering and support growth ambitions. Leading the development and adoption of innovative analytics and AI use cases, ensuring they are robust, commercial and scalable. Driving capability building through training, coaching and upskilling of colleagues, with a particular focus on the effective and responsible use of AI. Establishing strong working relationships across the firm, particularly with the analytics and digital transformation teams, to align tools, standards and delivery approaches Engagements: Taking overall responsibility for the analytics workstream on complex Transaction Services and M&A engagements, acting as a senior point of contact for analytics within deal teams. Providing direction and oversight on analytics delivery to ensure high-quality outputs, commercial insight and consistency of approach. Working closely with Transaction Services and M&A leads to ensure analytics insights are clearly articulated and directly inform deal conclusions and client decisions. Overseeing the end-to-end data process, including data scoping, extraction from client Finance, ERP and CRM systems, validation, structuring and analysis. Applying advanced analytical techniques to large and complex datasets to identify trends, assess performance, and highlight risks and value drivers. Engaging directly with clients and their other advisers, including lawyers and corporate finance advisers, as required. Leading on analytics input into scope definition, fee proposals and budgeting for advisory engagements. Advisory offering development and growth: Leading the development of analytics solutions beyond Transaction Services and M&A, working with Partners across Forensics, Restructuring and Insolvency, Growth Advisory and other advisory teams. Identifying opportunities to embed analytics into existing services and to develop new analytics‑led advisory offerings aligned to client demand. Supporting Partners in business development activities, including pitches, proposals and client presentations, with a focus on articulating the value of analytics. Acting as an internal advocate for analytics‑led advisory, raising awareness of capability and encouraging adoption across the firm. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Required: Demonstrated expertise in advanced data manipulation and analysis using programming languages, with the ability to set standards and best practice for others. Strong capability in data visualisation, analytics platforms, and python. With experience advising on appropriate tools and approaches for client engagements. Deep understanding of accounting, financial reporting and transactional financial data, with the ability to apply analytics in a deal and advisory context. Strong commercial acumen, with a proven ability to translate complex analytical outputs into clear, decision‑driven advisory insights for clients. Proven experience leading analytics workstreams on complex engagements, including setting approach, overseeing delivery and reviewing outputs for quality and commercial relevance. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence engaging directly with clients, Partners and senior stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills and an established track record of mentoring, coaching and developing teams and individuals. Ability to operate effectively across multiple engagements and priorities in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven advisory environment. Entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities to develop and grow analytics capability within advisory services. Advantageous: Significant experience in Transaction Services and or M&A, either directly within Transaction Services teams or in a closely aligned analytics role supporting deal environments. Experience contributing to or leading the development of analytics propositions, new service offerings or innovative advisory solutions. Chartered Accountant (ACA or ACCA qualified) or other relevant professional qualification. Exposure to applying analytics beyond Transaction Services, for example within Forensics, Restructuring and Insolvency, Growth Advisory or consulting environments.