Play a central role in driving financial insight, strategic decision-making, and capital allocation that powers the growth of WAY and the companies we build.

WAY is actively executing a "buy-and-build" strategy, focusing on developing strategic roll-up businesses across fragmented, under-digitised industries in Japan. We are looking for an experienced M&A professional to lead this effort, sourcing and executing acquisitions that become the foundation of scalable, tech-enabled ventures.

Who you are

You are driven, curious, and passionate about making meaningful contributions within a collaborative team environment. You take pride in executing complex deals with excellence, enjoy navigating strategic challenges, and are excited about building the next generation of technology-driven companies from Japan.

Traits we look for:

At WAY, our values guide who we hire, how we operate, and where we invest. Here's how they manifest in this senior role:

• Customers are our obsession:
  Your "customers" are both the business owners we partner with and the operational teams we empower. You build trusted relationships by deeply understanding stakeholders' motivations, ensuring alignment, and crafting mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Everything is possible:
  You think creatively about deal origination, approach opportunities with an open mind, and demonstrate resilience in the face of complexity. You're adept at identifying overlooked opportunities and reimagining business potential.
• Strength in diversity:
  You value diverse viewpoints, actively seeking input from operators, advisors, and internal teams. You understand that exceptional outcomes emerge from collaborative thinking and rigorous debate.
• Grit:
  M&A involves sustained effort—generating high-quality leads, managing complex diligence processes, and resolving uncertainties. You persevere through ambiguity and remain focused on achieving strategic goals.
• Energy and execution:
  You're highly organized, proactive, and thrive under pressure. You swiftly translate strategy into structured processes, keep multiple priorities moving forward, and consistently deliver results.
• Curiosity enables potential:
  Your intellectual curiosity pushes you to deeply understand new sectors, challenge conventional wisdom, and uncover the strategic drivers behind a company's performance. You're driven by understanding the "why" behind each opportunity.
• Pragmatic about purpose:
  You blend optimism with disciplined skepticism, carefully balancing ambition and practicality. You're comfortable making tough decisions based on comprehensive analyses and are unafraid to walk away when necessary.

About the role

As the M&A Lead, you'll be at the forefront of our strategic roll-up business initiatives. Your role will combine strategic leadership with hands-on execution as you identify, evaluate, structure, and execute acquisitions.

You'll manage the deal pipeline, oversee financial and commercial diligence, and collaborate closely with WAY partners and portfolio operators to ensure successful transactions and integrations. Your seasoned expertise will significantly shape our investment strategy and contribute directly to our growth trajectory.

What you'll do

• Lead sourcing, qualification, and initial outreach to potential acquisition targets
• Manage comprehensive financial modelling, valuation analyses, and scenario planning for deals
• Drive detailed commercial, operational, and organisational due diligence
• Structure transactions, leading negotiations alongside sellers and legal counsel
• Prepare and present detailed investment memos and recommendations to WAY's investment committee
• Partner closely with operational teams to design effective post-acquisition integration and strategic plans
• Refine and enhance sourcing methodologies, due diligence processes, and decision-making frameworks as we scale

How we work with AI

At WAY, we believe AI is not just a tool — it's a competitive edge. Everyone on the team, regardless of role, is expected to:

• Identify and automate
  parts of your job that can be made more efficient using AI.
• Experiment with AI tools
  to increase productivity, improve quality, and unlock new ideas.
• Share what you learn
  with your teammates so we all get better, faster.

Who we are looking for

• 5+ years of experience in M&A via investment banking, private equity, corporate development, management consulting, or a similar high-caliber transactional environment, with significant exposure to deal sourcing, structuring, and execution
• Exceptional financial modelling, valuation, and analytical skills; proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating and structuring transactions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to confidently interact with business founders, senior executives, advisors, and legal professionals
• Fluency in Japanese and business-level proficiency in English
• A proven record of integrity, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for building enduring, impactful companies