Corporate Development Manager

wk; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolters Kluwer is seeking a highly driven Manager to join its Global Corporate Development team, reporting to the VP Americas, Corporate Development. You will lead key workstreams of the end-to-end M&A process, from pipeline management through valuation, due diligence and execution, with a focus on high-growth software, AI/SaaS and technology-enabled solutions.

This role offers exposure to senior leadership in a fast-paced, acquisitive organization.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in investment banking, private equity, or corporate development.
• Bachelor's in Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, CS; MBA preferred.
• Familiarity with Software, SaaS, AI models and key metrics (ARR, churn, LTV/CAC).
• Experience building and automating M&A workflows using AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end M&A workstreams from pipeline to execution.
• Develop and maintain valuation models and deal analyses.
• Coordinate cross-functional due diligence with product, legal, and finance teams.
• Prepare executive materials for investment committee and board reviews.
• Manage deal timelines and cross-functional workstreams in software/tech transactions.
• Engage with targets, banks, PE funds, and transaction advisors.
• Support divestiture activity and carve-out preparations.

Skills

End-to-end M&A

Executive presence

Communication skills

Project management

AI fluency

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree; MBA preferred

Tools

DealCloud CRM

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Global Corporate Development (GCD) team sits within Wolters Kluwer's Global Strategy group, which reports to the CEO and Chair of the Executive Board, giving the team a direct line of sight to Group‑level capital allocation and portfolio strategy. The team is a driving force behind the company's inorganic growth strategy, partnering with divisional general managers and senior executives across all five of Wolters Kluwer's global divisions to source, assess, structure, and execute transactions. The culture is collaborative, low‑ego and high‑performing, with a track record of developing talent and promoting from within.

Over the last two years, the GCD team has executed nearly US$2 billion in transactions in both the US and Europe. Deal sizes typically range from US$ ~5M to 500M, creating a dynamic environment where team members can take the lead on smaller transactions while directly contributing to larger, more complex deals. This role provides exceptional visibility to senior leadership within a highly acquisitive organization. Recent acquisitions include Finca Group carve‑out from Isabel Group, RASi, Brightflag, and Libra.ai.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly driven Manager to join our high-performing Global Corporate Development team, reporting to the VP Americas, Corporate Development. In this position, you will lead key workstreams of the end-to-end M&A process from initial pipeline management through valuation, due diligence and execution, with a particular focus on high-growth software, AI/SaaS and technology-enabled solutions assets.

You will work directly with Associate Director through SVP‑level colleagues on the GCD team, as well as with executives and managers across Wolters Kluwer's strategy, operating, and finance organizations. While the role is US‑based and focused on the Americas, there may be opportunities to support deals in EMEA and ROW when workload permits.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Pipeline Management: Process deal opportunities and maintain DealCloud CRM to ensure visibility for senior stakeholders; write up initial perspectives on opportunities.
• Financial Modelling & Valuation: Build and maintain valuation analysis (corporate M&A model, deal comps, trading comps) and ad-hoc financial analyses (e.g., ARR customer cube) tailored to software and SaaS businesses.
• Operating Model Development: Build flexible, multiple‑case, driver‑based operational models to support business cases and scenario analysis.
• Executive Presentation Preparation: Prepare concise, impactful materials for investment committee and board‑level review; translate complex findings into actionable insights.
• Project Management: Manage deal timelines, drive resolution of open items, and coordinate delivery of cross-functional workstream deliverables across full-cycle software and tech transactions.
• Due Diligence Coordination: Lead coordination of cross-functional diligence teams (product, strategy, legal, finance, tax, HR) and external advisors (TDD, FDD, CDD); synthesize findings and escal ...
• Advisor & Counterparty Engagement: Support engagement with targets, banks, PE funds and transaction advisors.
• Divestiture Support: Support divestiture activity including carve‑out preparation and self‑due diligence.
• Transaction Administration: Support critical activities across the deal lifecycle including processing NDAs with legal and preparing offer letters.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS

• Experience: 5-7 years in investment banking, private equity, or corporate development, with demonstrated end‑to‑end M&A transaction experience and a track record of independently leading transaction workstreams.
• Education: Bachelor's in Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or equivalent degree; MBA preferred.
• Industry and Financial Knowledge: Familiarity with Software, SaaS, AI and technology‑enabled services business models and key operating metrics (ARR, net retention, churn, LTV/CAC, cloud vs on‑prem mix, etc.). Significant financial model authoring experience commensurate with job responsibilities. Solid understanding of financial statements.
• AI Fluency Preferred: Hands‑on experience building and automating M&A‑related workflows using ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or similar platforms, including accelerating market screening, benchmarking and due diligence analysis on software assets.
• Executive Presence: Comfortable engaging with C‑suite and senior leadership internally and externally; ability to read the room for appropriate engagement level.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills; able to synthesize complex information into concise executive materials.
• Organization: A preference for structure and standardization and an ability to project manage on compressed timelines.
• Intellectual Curiosity: Genuine interest in diverse businesses, emerging industries, and applied AI.
• Work Style: Proactive self‑starter with strong ownership, attention to detail, urgency, and situatio