VP of Strategy and Corporate Development

Duolingo; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision for self/2

401(k) with generous match

Parental and adoption leave

Job summary

Duolingo seeks a VP of Strategy and Corporate Development to join the Senior Leadership Team and drive growth via M&A. This role oversees Strategy, Business Operations, and Corporate Development, reporting to the Chief Business Officer.

The position emphasizes collaboration with product and tech teams in a founder-led, fast-moving environment. You will own end-to-end M&A activities, manage a ~10-person team, and align planning for the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

• 20+ years relevant work experience in strategy, consulting, M&A, investment banking, or product management, and significant experience in technology companies.
• Experience working closely with product and engineering colleagues.
• Leadership experience at a founder-led company.
• Experience at a leading consumer app.

Responsibilities

• Own Corporate Development end-to-end: source, evaluate, negotiate, and close acquisitions; coordinate cross-functional diligence; and drive thoughtful integration.
• Lead and manage Strategy and Business Operations and Corporate Development teams (~10 people).
• Partner with leaders across the company to develop strategies spanning Growth, Monetization, Language Learning, and New Subjects.

Skills

M&A experience

Team leadership

Communication & analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

• We’re looking for a VP of Strategy and Corporate Development to join Duolingo’s Senior Leadership Team and drive strategy, planning and our growth via M&A
• Reporting to the Chief Business Officer, the VP of Strategy and Corporate Development will manage our Strategy and Business Operations and Corporate Development functions
• Strategy and Business Operations at Duolingo is fast moving and iterative and represents the majority of this role
• We’re seeking a leader who’s excited to work at a founder-led company, comfortable with ambiguity, and collaborates well with product and technical teams
• Corporate Development at Duolingo supports key company priorities, with a focus on acqui-hires and targeted capability acquisitions rather than large transformational deals
• We’ve used M&A to build functions, establish offices, and expand into new subjects. We’re excited to continue and expand our M&A activity
• Partner with leaders across the company to develop strategies spanning our main Pillars: Growth, Monetization, Language Learning, and New Subjects (Math, Music and Chess)
• Generate insights that directly influence product experiments and drive impact
• Run company-wide strategy and planning, driving alignment on strategic direction and resource allocation, including leading planning for Duolingo Board of Directors meetings
• Support Duolingo’s growth through M&A, fully aligned with our strategy and key priorities, and working closely with Duolingo’s product and executive teams
• Own Corporate Development end-to-end: source, evaluate, negotiate, and close acquisitions; coordinate cross‑functional diligence; and drive thoughtful integration
• Lead and manage Strategy and Business Operations and Corporate Development teams (~10 people), setting the bar for your functional craft and empathizing with your team as people
• Encourage your team to continue embracing new tools and technologies for insight generation and analysis, automation, and communication

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision for employees as well as eligible partners and dependents
• Mental health benefits such as therapy sessions and coaching to support you to be your best self
• Fertility benefits to support your family planning journey
• Fully paid parental and adoption leave
• Fully paid subscription to Care.com and paid backup days for dependents and your fur family
• 401(k) with generous match and immediate vesting
• 20 days of paid time off, with two additional weeks off for winter break
• First-time home buyer bonus (in Pittsburgh)
• Competitive salaries and equity
• Yearly stipend for professional development
• Transportation reimbursement for however you get to work
• Lunch prepared daily by our in-house chefs
• Annual international retreat for all full-time employees
• Monthly events celebrating our team and their amazing work
• On-site gym and massages
• Game room for taking brain breaks

A demonstrated understanding of Duolingo’s business and future growth opportunities20+ years relevant work experience in strategy, consulting, M&A, investment banking, or product management, and significant experience in technology companiesExperience working closely with product and engineering colleaguesTeam leadership experience with a track record of hiring, developing, and managing high‑performing teamsAbility to work from our Pittsburgh, PA or New York, NY office on a 4+1 hybrid work scheduleExcellent communication and analytical skillsA demonstrated track record of success in fast paced entrepreneurial work environmentsSignificant experience using Duolingo, and opinions about how to improve itLeadership experience at a founder-led companyExperience at a leading consumer app