Head of Corporate Development

Selby Jennings; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings is working with a private equity-backed software platform to recruit a Head of Corporate Development who will build and lead the M&A function, reporting to the CEO and partnering with the ownership group to shape the inorganic growth strategy. You will own the full M&A lifecycle, manage a pipeline of targets, and collaborate across finance, legal, product and operations.

This is an opportunity for a banker, PE professional, or corporate development leader to create a function from

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, growth investing, or related areas.
• Strong transaction experience from sourcing through close.
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills.
• Experience evaluating acquisition opportunities and conducting due diligence.
• Exposure to software/technology/SaaS or tech-enabled businesses preferred.
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's acquisition strategy and identify opportunities that support long-term growth.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of targets through relationships, research, and market mapping.
• Own the full M&A lifecycle including sourcing, valuation, modeling, due diligence, negotiation, execution, and integration support.
• Develop investment theses, market analyses, and materials for leadership and investors.
• Partner with CEO and ownership to evaluate opportunities and capital allocation priorities.
• Coordinate cross-functional processes across finance, legal, tax, product, technology, and operations.
• Cultivate relationships with founders, advisors, investors, and investment bankers to generate proprietary opportunities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on inorganic growth and corporate strategy.

Skills

Investment banking

Corporate development

M&A

Strategic thinking

Financial modeling

Negotiation

Leadership

Job description

A private equity-backed software platform is seeking a Head of Corporate Development to build and lead its M&A function. Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering closely with the ownership group, this individual will play a central role in shaping the company's inorganic growth strategy.

The company owns a portfolio of established software products with a global customer base and is entering an exciting phase of acquisition-driven expansion. This is a unique opportunity for a banker, investor, or corporate development professional who wants to build a function from the ground up, lead strategic transactions, and have a meaningful impact on the future direction of the business.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the company's acquisition strategy, helping identify and execute opportunities that support long-term growth objectives
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of acquisition targets through banker relationships, founder outreach, proprietary research, and market mapping
• Own the full M&A lifecycle, including sourcing, valuation, financial modeling, due diligence, negotiation, execution, and post-close integration support
• Develop investment theses, market analyses, acquisition strategies, and board-level materials for executive leadership and investors
• Partner closely with the CEO, leadership team, and ownership group to evaluate strategic opportunities and capital allocation priorities
• Coordinate cross-functional transaction processes across finance, legal, tax, product, technology, and operations teams
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with founders, advisors, investors, and investment banking professionals to generate proprietary opportunities
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on inorganic growth initiatives and broader corporate strategy

Ideal background:

• 7+ years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, growth investing, or a combination thereof
• Strong transaction experience with the ability to lead deals from sourcing through close
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills
• Experience evaluating acquisition opportunities and conducting due diligence
• Exposure to software, technology, SaaS, or tech-enabled businesses is strongly preferred
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong communication skills and executive presence with experience working alongside senior leadership teams

Why this role?

• Opportunity to build and lead a corporate development function from day one rather than step into an established process
• Direct partnership with the CEO and private equity sponsors on strategic growth initiatives
• Significant ownership and autonomy across sourcing, evaluating, and executing acquisitions
• Ability to influence the company's long-term growth strategy and acquisition roadmap
• Exposure to both investing and operating decisions within a highly acquisitive software platform
• Entrepreneurial environment where ideas are valued and impact is highly visible
• Unique opportunity to help create a scalable acquisition engine and play a key role in the company's next stage of growth

About the Opportunity:

A private equity-backed software platform is seeking a Head of Corporate Development to build and lead its M&A function. Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering closely with the ownership group, this individual will play a central role in shaping the company's inorganic growth strategy.

The company owns a portfolio of established software products with a global customer base and is entering an exciting phase of acquisition-driven expansion. This is a unique opportunity for a banker, investor, or corporate development professional who wants to build a function from the ground up, lead strategic transactions, and have a meaningful impact on the future direction of the business.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the company's acquisition strategy, helping identify and execute opportunities that support long-term growth objectives
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of acquisition targets through banker relationships, founder outreach, proprietary research, and market mapping
• Own the full M&A lifecycle, including sourcing, valuation, financial modeling, due diligence, negotiation, execution, and post-close integration support
• Develop investment theses, market analyses, acquisition strategies, and board-level materials for executive leadership and investors
• Partner closely with the CEO, leadership team, and ownership group to evaluate strategic opportunities and capital allocation priorities
• Coordinate cross-functional transaction processes across finance, legal, tax, product, technology, and operations teams
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with founders, advisors, investors, and investment banking professionals to generate proprietary opportunities
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on inorganic growth initiatives and broader corporate strategy

Ideal background:

• 7+ years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, growth investing, or a combination thereof
• Strong transaction experience with the ability to lead deals from sourcing through close
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills
• Experience evaluating acquisition opportunities and conducting due diligence
• Exposure to software, technology, SaaS, or tech-enabled businesses is strongly preferred
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong communication skills and executive presence with experience working alongside senior leadership teams

Why this role?

• Opportunity to build and lead a corporate development function from day one rather than step into an established process
• Direct partnership with the CEO and private equity sponsors on strategic growth initiatives
• Significant ownership and autonomy across sourcing, evaluating, and executing acquisitions
• Ability to influence the company's long-term growth strategy and acquisition roadmap
• Exposure to both investing and operating decisions within a highly acquisitive software platform
• Entrepreneurial environment where ideas are valued and impact is highly visible
• Unique opportunity to help create a scalable acquisition engine and play a key role in the company's next stage of growth

If this opportunity sounds of interest, feel free to apply directly or reach out to me for a confidential conversation.