Director Corporate Development

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

Job summary

Finatal is seeking a Director of Corporate Development to lead and execute strategic acquisitions across North America in the software, SaaS and AI space. You will originate opportunities, evaluate targets, and drive deals from initial contact through close, partnering with executives to optimize value creation.

You will manage due diligence with cross-functional teams, develop robust business cases and synergy analyses, and mentor junior staff while advancing best-in-class M&A capabilities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Corporate Development, M&A, Private Equity or related transaction-focused roles.
• Proven track record of leading and closing software, SaaS and technology acquisitions.
• Director-level experience managing complex, high-value transactions.
• Strong understanding of software business models, recurring revenue and AI-related dynamics.
• Exceptional financial modelling, valuation and commercial analysis skills.
• Ability to originate transactions and develop relationships with founders, management and advisors.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience leading deal structuring and execution.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and present to leadership and investment committees.
• Entrepreneurial mindset for fast-paced, acquisitive environments.
• Prior software industry or corporate development experience preferred.
• Willingness to travel across North America and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing, evaluation and execution of software, SaaS, AI and technology acquisitions across North America.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of acquisition opportunities via outreach, networks, conferences and advisors.
• Build relationships with founders, executives, investors and intermediaries.
• Drive transaction processes from engagement to signing and close, including valuation and documentation.
• Prepare and present strategic and financial analyses, business cases and synergies.
• Oversee due diligence with cross-functional teams across product, finance, legal and operations.
• Align acquisition themes with long-term growth and AI strategy.
• Mentor junior team members and improve M&A processes and capabilities.
• Support integration planning and value creation post-deal.
• Monitor market developments and emerging tech trends to guide strategy.

Skills

M&A leadership

Corporate Development

Financial modeling

Deal structuring

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Job description

My client is a large, highly acquisitive software and technology business with a proven track record of growth through M&A and an ambitious AI-focused acquisition strategy already underway. With significant capital for deals and operating at global scale, the company is seeking a Director of Corporate Development to lead and execute strategic acquisitions across North America.

Reporting directly into senior leadership, this individual will play a critical role in shaping the company's inorganic growth agenda, identifying innovative software, AI and data-driven businesses, building relationships with founders and advisors, and leading transactions from origination through to completion and value creation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing, evaluation and execution of software, SaaS, AI and technology acquisitions across North America.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of acquisition opportunities through direct outreach, industry networks, conferences, advisors and founder relationships.
• Act as a senior ambassador for the business within the software and AI ecosystem, building trusted relationships with founders, executives, investors and intermediaries.
• Drive transaction processes from initial engagement through to signing and close, including valuation, negotiations, deal structuring and documentation.
• Lead strategic and financial analysis, investment committee materials, business case development and synergy assessments.
• Manage all aspects of due diligence, coordinating internal and external stakeholders across product, technology, finance, legal, operations and commercial functions.
• Partner closely with executive leadership to refine acquisition themes and identify opportunities aligned with the company's long-term growth and AI strategy.
• Mentor and support junior corporate development team members while helping to build best-in-class M&A processes and capabilities.
• Support integration planning and value creation initiatives to ensure acquisitions achieve strategic and financial objectives.
• Monitor market developments, competitive activity and emerging technology trends to inform future acquisition strategy.

Candidate Profile

• 10+ years of experience in Corporate Development, M&A, Private Equity, Investment Banking or a related transaction-focused environment.
• Proven track record of leading and closing software, SaaS and technology acquisitions.
• Experience operating at Director level (or similar), with responsibility for managing complex, high-value transaction processes.
• Strong understanding of software business models, recurring revenue economics, vertical software and AI-related market dynamics.
• Exceptional financial modelling, valuation and commercial analysis skills.
• Demonstrated ability to originate transactions and develop relationships directly with founders, management teams and advisors.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience leading deal structuring and transaction execution.
• Capable of influencing senior stakeholders and presenting to executive leadership and investment committees.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced, acquisitive environment.
• Prior experience within a software business or corporate development function is strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel across North America and internationally as required.