SEA - MSD, M&A Advisory, Director/Manager

About YCP Group YCP is a Singapore-headquartered management consulting firm founded in 2011. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (JDR listing, December 2021), YCP operates with 700+ professionals across 20+ offices globally. In Asia, YCP is present across 13+ cities including Tokyo, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, and Shanghai.　The Management Service Division (MSD) delivers three core service offerings: Advisory (strategy consulting), PMO (project management), and Transaction (M&A advisory). With a track record of 3,000+ projects and 500+ clients across the Asia-Pacific, YCP combines deep local market knowledge with cross-border execution capability. YCP covers 13 industry sectors including Automotive & Mobility, Energy & Natural Resources, Healthcare, Consumer & Retail, Financial Services, Technology, Industrials, and Private Equity & Investors. Our core strengths lie in cross-border transactions, M&A, and digital transformation, underpinned by on-the-ground presence and networks that global firms cannot replicate. Why YCP Unparalleled autonomy and ownership — While many consulting environments follow a hierarchical progression before individuals lead engagements , at YCP, you own your scope, deliver under your own name, and build your reputation from day one. You define what you work on, how you deliver it, and what comes next. Accelerated path to Partner — Career progression in consulting is often time-bound and tenure-driven. At YCP, top performers can reach Partner in under 5 years. The level of discretion and speed is in a different league. SEA × Japan: a unique positioning — While cross-border engagements are often one of many focus areas in consulting, YCP is deeply specialized at the intersection of Southeast Asia and Japan as our core business — and we are positioned to be the #1 firm in this segment. Entrepreneurial way of working — End-to-end ownership from proposal to delivery. You can design new service lines, launch in new countries, and build what doesn't exist yet. This is a culture where you create your own opportunities. Cross-border, multi-country engagements — Working across multiple countries on a single project is the norm, not the exception. You develop both on-the-ground market instinct and strategic perspective through daily collaboration with multinational teams. Cross-Border M&A Advisory Management Service Division | SEA YCP's Cross-Border M&A Advisory team serves as buy-side financial advisor to Japanese companies pursuing inbound-outbound M&A across Asia. The team operates as a virtual, fully remote unit of ~15 multinational professionals spanning Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Client communication is in Japanese; internal team communication is in English. The team handles 10–15+ mandated FA engagements and 100+ pipeline cases per year across diverse countries and industries. Position Overview As a Director or Manager in the Cross-Border M&A Advisory team, you will serve as a buy-side financial advisor to Japanese companies pursuing inbound-outbound M&A transactions across Asia. You will lead the full M&A process from target sourcing through deal origination, LOI submission, due diligence management, contract negotiation, and closing — acting as the primary interface between Japanese corporate clients and YCP's multinational deal execution teams. Key Responsibilities Lead end-to-end buy-side FA engagements for Japanese corporate clients pursuing cross-border M&A in Asia Manage client relationships: deal proposals, progress reporting, expectation management, and conveying buyer intent Coordinate with country-specific deal teams on target sourcing, valuation modelling, deal structuring, and negotiation Oversee due diligence processes in coordination with external advisors (law firms, audit firms) Communicate client requirements in Japanese while directing deal execution teams in English Build and maintain M&A pipelines across Southeast Asian markets Contribute to business development through client relationship expansion Required Qualifications 2+ years of buy-side FA experience at an investment bank, FAS, boutique FA, or M&A brokerage (DD/valuation-only experience not sufficient) OR 2+ years of buy-side M&A execution experience at a PE fund or operating company Director: 4+ years of buy-side FA experience; Manager: 2+ years Native-level Japanese proficiency (essential for all client communication) Business-level English proficiency (essential for all internal team communication) Director: ability to lead team operations and client relationships independently; Manager: ability to maintain client relationships under Director guidance Preferred Qualifications Cross-border M&A experience (not required but valued) Knowledge of Southeast Asian M&A markets and regulatory environments Experience working with Japanese corporate decision-making processes Professional qualifications (CPA, Bar admission, CFA, etc.)