Head of Corporate Development

Role Overview

We are seeking a Head of Corporate Development to lead acquisition strategy and support the company’s growth agenda from Chicago in a hybrid working arrangement. This role focuses on identifying strategic acquisition targets, assessing transaction value, and helping shape the organization’s long-term corporate development capabilities during a period of rapid expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, assess, and execute acquisitions that can expand market reach, strengthen technology capabilities, or add new products.
• Run the full transaction evaluation process, including financial analysis, risk review, and deal negotiations.
• Build the systems, capabilities, and operating approach needed to scale corporate development as the business grows quickly.
• Track market dynamics, spot new opportunities, and study competitor behavior to guide strategy.
• Measure acquisition value creation potential and help drive alignment across internal and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate synergies and transaction-related risks for prospective deals.
• Use data-driven reasoning to influence decisions across the organization and move initiatives forward decisively.
• Lead the annual 409A valuation process for internal stock pricing with an independent third-party advisor using Discounted Cash Flow and Market Comparability methods.
• Review the company’s strengths, weaknesses, and market position to uncover strategic growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with FP&A, Markets Finance, and senior leadership on the Strategic Growth Model and Long-Range Plan.
• Own the procurement process related to access to capital financing needs.
• Work with Controllership, FP&A, and Markets Finance to manage cash demand proactively.
• Maintain the equity cap table and lead strategic analysis on ownership, value contribution, and upcoming cash needs tied to share retirement eligibility, buyouts, and option analysis.
• Oversee a small team responsible for financial deal model underwriting, cross-functional due diligence, M&A integration, cap table maintenance, and corporate insurance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and evaluating M&A processes across a broad range of transactions.
• Strong history of leading end-to-end negotiations successfully.
• Excellent analytical ability paired with clear and effective communication skills.
• Hands-on leadership experience managing the full M&A lifecycle.
• Ability to build and sustain senior-level relationships that support deal sourcing.
• Strong capability to manage multiple priorities at once.
• Solid financial expertise, including financial modeling, valuation, and synergy identification and tracking.
• Experience aligning cross-functional teams and driving shared outcomes.
• Comfort working in fast-changing market conditions and on major challenges.
• Strong due diligence and risk assessment capability.
• Demonstrated success influencing others to achieve goals.
• Sound judgment, high standards, and a strong results orientation.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to stay focused on execution details.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to motivate and inspire others.

Compensation and Benefits

The role offers a base salary range of $225,000 to $250,000, plus bonus eligibility. Benefits include medical, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid position based in Chicago, IL.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Corporate benefits are available to contract and temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance. Eligible contract and temporary professionals may also enroll in the company 401(k) plan.

The company also provides access to free online training, competitive compensation, and job-matching support.

Equal opportunity employment is offered without regard to gender, disability, or veteran status.

Any terms, notices, or application instructions related to the recruiting company’s own website have been omitted.