Senior Director, Corporate Development

Workday; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 234,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday in Pleasanton, CA is seeking a Senior Director of Corporate Development to lead transaction activities, including acquisitions and minority investments, within a fast-paced, global software environment.

The role partners with industry and product specialists to identify strategic gaps, evaluates build/buy/partner options, and drives thorough diligence and valuation analyses. Flexible work arrangements are offered, with at least 50% in the office or on-site.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in M&A tech leadership, including corporate development, IB, or PE.
• Proven buy-side M&A, strategy and/or strategic finance across full lifecycle.
• Strong financial modeling and valuation skills.
• Hands-on deal leadership experience.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and build consensus.

Responsibilities

• Lead corporate development transactions through all phases.
• Collaborate with industry/product experts to identify gaps and options.
• Develop understanding of competitive landscape and relationships.
• Drive diligence processes with cross-functional teams.
• Conduct valuation and pro forma analyses with target trends and costs.
• Present rationale and risks to sponsors and executives.

Skills

M&A leadership

Buy-side M&A

Financial modeling

Deal leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree

MBA preferred

Job description

Your work days are brighter here.

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you’re building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

Workday’s Corporate Development team is responsible for driving Workday’s inorganic growth strategy through the execution and integration of compelling acquisition and strategic investment opportunities in the company’s core, adjacent and potentially new market sectors. The team partners closely with Workday’s executive team, product strategy, GMs, and various vertical and functional leads to evaluate, analyze and implement the company’s global M&A and strategic investments.

About the Role

The Senior Director, Corporate Development will lead transaction activities ranging from identifying, evaluating and driving public and private company acquisitions, minority investments and other critical initiatives.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and support corporate development transactions through all phases of the transaction lifecycle

• Partner with Workday’s industry and product specialists to identify and prioritize strategic gaps, evaluate build/buy/partner options and collaborate on target selection criteria and recommendations

• Develop a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and assist in establishing relationships with key players in the industry

• Collaborate with primary deal leads and broader cross-functional teams to drive focused diligence processes which vet key assumptions and value drivers

• Conduct detailed analyses including valuation and pro forma case modeling which capture target company trends, deal alignments and integration costs in detail

• Articulate clear rationale and risks associated with proposed transactions through spoken and written communications with deal sponsors, functional leadership and senior executives, taking into account Workday’s overall interests

• Develop presentation materials to provide recommendations to the executive team and the board

About You

Basic Qualifications

• 15+ years of proven leadership experience in the M&A technology sector (preferably enterprise software), including corporate development, investment banking, and/or private equity experience

• Proven track record in buy-side M&A, corporate strategy and/or strategic finance (end to end transaction lifecycle)

• Strong financial modeling and valuation skills

• Hands‑on deal leadership experience

• Strong leadership and program management skills with the ability to work and build consensus with multiple cross‑functional teams

Other Qualifications

• Self‑starter with flexibility to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adjust near‑term role to business needs

• Comfortable with a team‑oriented and collaborative approach to achieving impact

• Positive attitude and understanding of the Workday culture

• Effective interpersonal skills, including strong oral and writing capabilities; ability to clearly communicate compelling messages to senior leadership and external partners / counterparties

• Ability to deal with time pressure

• Undergraduate degree and MBA preferred

• Open to 50% reporting to Pleasanton, CA campus

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role‑specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.

Primary Location: USA.CA.Pleasanton

Primary Location Base Pay Range: $233,500 USD - $350,300 USD

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $197,200 USD - $350,300 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in‑person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in‑office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you’ll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote “home office” roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email [e-mail].