Strategic Finance & M&A Director (Hybrid)

Ascend Learning; Leawood (KS); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) matching

Parental leave

Wellness resources

Charitable matching

On-site workouts

Community outreach groups

Job summary

Ascend Learning seeks a Director of Finance M&A to lead financial analysis, planning, and execution of M&A and business development activities in a private equity setting. You will partner with the CFO, M&A Leader, CEO, and senior SLT, while coordinating with FP&A and legal during deal execution to drive value.

The role offers exposure to Blackstone and CPP Investments, requiring strong modeling, due diligence leadership, and strategic project involvement across Ascend’s growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of public accounting, corporate finance, corporate development, or related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; Masters preferred.
• Strong quantitative skills, financial modeling, and accounting comprehension.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in and lead partner and M&A due diligence activities.
• Regular interaction with senior executives and functional leaders.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, quantify, and value M&A, investment, and business development opportunities.
• Create financial models and identify key risks, opportunities, and synergies.
• Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses for transaction outcomes.
• Lead due diligence and negotiations with legal and control teams.
• Develop executive materials for CFO and senior leadership.
• Provide proactive financial forecasts and analysis to guide strategy and integrations.
• Collaborate with corporate strategy to deepen knowledge of Ascend’s business.
• Support cross-functional deal teams through evaluation, execution, and integration.

Skills

Quantitative skills

Financial modeling

Accounting comprehension

Senior leadership interaction

Excel & PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting or Finance

Masters preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Ascend Learning seeks a Director of Finance M&A to lead financial analysis, planning, and execution of M&A and business development activities in a private equity setting. You will partner with the CFO, M&A Leader, CEO, and senior SLT, while coordinating with FP&A and legal during deal execution to drive value.

The role offers exposure to Blackstone and CPP Investments, requiring strong modeling, due diligence leadership, and strategic project involvement across Ascend’s growth initiatives.