HR Group Director M&A

Cadence Design Systems; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 189,000 - 351,000; Full time

Job summary

Cadence Design Systems seeks an accomplished HR leader to own strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, aligning people priorities with business goals across geographies.

You will shape organizational design, talent and culture during complex transactions, lead due diligence, and drive Day 1 readiness and integration across global teams. The role requires senior leadership presence and collaboration with executives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of progressive experience in corporate HR, HR consulting or related roles, including substantial experience leading complex global programs and initiatives.
• Deep expertise across core HR disciplines, including organizational design, talent management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, change management and workforce transitions.
• 8+ years of HR M&A experience, including leading due diligence, deal execution, integration and/or separation planning across domestic and international transactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR M&A strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and other strategic transactions.
• Build and strengthen the HR M&A operating model, playbooks, governance, tools and metrics for scalable execution across geographies and units.
• Partner with executive stakeholders and deal teams to shape transaction strategy with insights on organizational design, talent, culture and integration risk.
• Lead HR due diligence, Day 1 readiness, synergy planning, and integration execution.
• Lead cross‑functional and cross‑regional teams to deliver coordinated transaction outcomes.
• Drive organization design, talent selection, leadership assessment, retention, onboarding and employee transitions.
• Provide thought leadership on HR M&A priorities and capture lessons learned to strengthen capabilities.

Skills

HR M&A strategy

leadership

organizational design

talent management

change management

executive communication

financial acumen

cross-functional collaboration

integration planning

stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

What You’ll Do

• Lead the HR M&A strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and other strategic transactions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and enterprise people priorities.
• Build and continuously strengthen the HR M&A operating model, playbooks, governance, tools and metrics to enable consistent, scalable execution across geographies and business units.
• Partner with executive stakeholders and deal teams to shape transaction strategy through insights on organizational design, talent, culture, rewards, labor considerations and integration risk.
• Lead HR due diligence, Day 1 readiness, synergy planning, and integration execution, helping the business navigate complexity with clarity, rigor and speed.
• Lead and influence cross‑functional and cross‑regional teams, including HR, Legal, Finance, IT, Payroll, external advisers and business leaders, to deliver coordinated, high‑impact transaction outcomes.
• Drive the HR approach to organization design, talent selection, leadership assessment, retention, employee transition and onboarding to support business continuity and long‑term value creation.
• Provide thought leadership on HR M&A priorities, guide stakeholder communications and decision‑making forums, and capture lessons learned to continuously strengthen the organization’s transaction capability.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of progressive experience in corporate HR, HR consulting or related roles, including substantial experience leading complex global programs and initiatives.
• Deep expertise across core HR disciplines, including organizational design, talent management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, change management and workforce transitions.
• 8+ years of HR M&A experience, including leading due diligence, deal execution, integration and/or separation planning across domestic and international transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively as a senior leader in fast‑paced environments with tight timelines, high ambiguity and sensitive stakeholder dynamics.
• Strong leadership and program management capabilities, with a proven track record of leading cross‑functional teams, influencing senior decision‑making and managing external advisers.
• Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to synthesize large volumes of complex information into clear recommendations and decisive action.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to understand enterprise strategy, value creation objectives and industry dynamics in the computational software and semiconductor sectors.
• Extensive experience working across global organizations, including virtual and international environments, with strong cultural awareness and judgment.
• Excellent communication skills and executive presence, including the ability to influence and present effectively to senior leadership and other key stakeholders.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible role at the intersection of people strategy and business transformation. You will help shape how the company approaches some of its most important strategic transactions, working alongside experienced leaders across HR, the business and key corporate functions. You’ll have the chance to build and strengthen a critical capability, influence high‑impact decisions, and see the direct results of your work in a global organization that values collaboration, rigor and continuous improvement.

Ideally this position will be based in SanJose, California, but other locations or remote work may be considered.

The annual salary range for California is $189,000 to $351,000. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location.

Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.

We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Cadence is committed to equal employment opportunity throughout all levels of the organization. We welcome your interest in the company and want to make sure our job site is accessible to all. If you experience difficulty using this site or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact [e-mail].

Cadence participates in the E-Verify program in certain U.S. locations as required by law. Download More Information on E-Verify (64K).

Cadence plays a critical role in creating the technologies that modern life depends on. We are a global electronic design automation company, providing software, hardware, and intellectual property to design advanced semiconductor chips that enable our customers create revolutionary products and experiences. Thanks to the outstanding caliber of the Cadence team and the empowering culture that we have cultivated for over 25 years, Cadence continues to be recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Our shared passion for solving the world’s toughest technical challenges, our dedication to pushing the limits of the industry, and our drive to do meaningful work differentiates the people of Cadence. Cadence is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other protected class.