2026 P.A.C.E. Graduate - Corporate Strategy and M&A

About DWS 

At DWS we’re capturing the opportunities of tomorrow. Join our leading global asset management firm and make an impact on individuals, communities and the world. Whether collaborating to discover innovative solutions, exploring your curiosity or developing new skills – at DWS, we support you in achieving your goals. Invest in your future!

About the DWS P.A.C.E. Graduate Program 

Our 2-year P.A.C.E. Graduate Program begins with an intensive onsite onboarding program with all global P.A.C.E. participants in Frankfurt, Germany. You will then join your assigned division and complete four six-month rotations there. Throughout the program you will have the opportunity to implement your technical training in a practical setting with expert guidance and to grow your network within DWS.  

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As a P.A.C.E. participant you will: 

• Gain a deep insight into how the Corporate Functions support and enable the success of the firm
• Be part of the Global P.A.C.E. community
• Collaborate with a wide range of colleagues across different departments
• Challenge the norm and contribute your own ideas and improvement suggestions 
• Solve challenges together with your team
• Be empowered with accountability for your actions

About the Team

The Corporate Strategy and M&A team supports the senior management, business units and regional divisions of DWS in setting and executing the strategic agenda for the business as well as overseeing and executing key transaction activities. Its key responsibilities include:

• Strategy: Work with the DWS senior management (usually the Executive Board) and the individual business units and regional divisions to develop successful strategies to achieve the goals of each business unit, create long-term plans and review progress against our objectives

• Business Development: Evaluate growth and business development opportunities in all business units and regions

• Business Solutions: Help implement strategy with cross-functional organization, seize new opportunities and overcome challenges with a team of professional project managers

• Mergers and Acquisitions: Orchestrate all inorganic activity, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, strategic partnerships, and other key corporate activities

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As our DWS Graduate in our team, you will:

• Support all major initiatives involving M&A activities for the global business

• Manage and execute on corporate strategy activities for the region, working with both regional and global Corporate Strategy and M&A teams as well as with key regional stakeholders

• Support M&A projects that may include asset manager targets, platform spin-offs, ecosystem partnerships, distributional JVs, etc.

• Prepare business cases for M&A initiatives to create the strategic and financial rationale for prioritizing target investments

• Prepare decision papers for DWS senior management and for the relevant committees
  

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The Team is looking for:

• Intermediate (B1/B2) German and advanced English language skills
• Proactive, Agile, Curious and Entrepreneurial Graduates
•  Innovators, creative thinkers, and collaborators 
•  Driven and committed graduates 
•  A team player with a curious mind 
• Advanced skills in MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Strong analytical skills and intellectual curiosity around the key trends driving the asset management industry
• Strong teamwork and communication skills

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Our Application Process

• Step 1 - Online Application

• Step 2 - Online Tests

• Step 3 - Video Interview

• Step 4 - Assessment Center

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Our commitment to equal employment opportunity   

Our values define the working environment we strive to create – diverse, supportive and welcoming of different views. We embrace a culture reflecting a variety of perspectives, insights and backgrounds to drive innovation. We build talented and diverse teams to drive business results and encourage our people to develop to their full potential. Talk to us about flexible work arrangements and other initiatives we offer.   

We promote good working relationships and encourage high standards of conduct and work performance. DWS is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from talented people from all cultures, countries, races, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, beliefs and generations. We are committed to providing a working environment free from harassment, discrimination and retaliation. 

If you have any questions about this program or need us to make any adjustments to help you complete any stage of your application, let us know at dws.ECrecruitment@db.com. Someone from our Early Careers team will get in touch.

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• Must have intermediate (B1/B2) level German and advanced English language skills

• Must have graduated or be on track to graduate from a bachelor's or master's degrees in 2025 or 2026.

• Must have less than 12 months of full-time relevant work experience (excluding internships).