About the Opportunity

A private equity-backed software platform is seeking a Head of Corporate Development to build and lead its M&A; function. Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering closely with the ownership group, this individual will play a central role in shaping the company's inorganic growth strategy.

The company owns a portfolio of established software products with a global customer base and is entering an exciting phase of acquisition-driven expansion. This is a unique opportunity for a banker, investor, or corporate development professional who wants to build a function from the ground up, lead strategic transactions, and have a meaningful impact on the future direction of the business.

Responsibilities:

- Lead the company's acquisition strategy, helping identify and execute opportunities that support long-term growth objectives
- Build and manage a robust pipeline of acquisition targets through banker relationships, founder outreach, proprietary research, and market mapping
- Own the full M&A; lifecycle, including sourcing, valuation, financial modeling, due diligence, negotiation, execution, and post-close integration support
- Develop investment theses, market analyses, acquisition strategies, and board-level materials for executive leadership and investors
- Partner closely with the CEO, leadership team, and ownership group to evaluate strategic opportunities and capital allocation priorities
- Coordinate cross-functional transaction processes across finance, legal, tax, product, technology, and operations teams
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with founders, advisors, investors,



and investment banking professionals to generate proprietary opportunities
- Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on inorganic growth initiatives and broader corporate strategy

Ideal background:

- 7 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, growth investing, or a combination thereof
- Strong transaction experience with the ability to lead deals from sourcing through close
- Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills
- Experience evaluating acquisition opportunities and conducting due diligence
- Exposure to software, technology, SaaS, or tech-enabled businesses is strongly preferred
- Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Strong communication skills and executive presence with experience working alongside senior leadership teams

Why this role?

- Chance to build and lead a corporate development function from day one rather than step into an established process
- Direct partnership with the CEO and private equity sponsors on strategic growth initiatives
- Significant ownership and autonomy across sourcing, evaluating, and executing acquisitions
- Ability to influence the company's long-term growth strategy and acquisition roadmap
- Exposure to both investing and operating decisions within a highly acquisitive software platform
- Entrepreneurial environment where ideas are valued and impact is highly visible
- Unique opportunity to help create a scalable acquisition engine and play a key role in the company's next stage of growth

If this opportunity sounds of interest, feel free to apply directly or reach out to me for a confidential conversation.

📌 Head of Corporate Development (Ottawa)
🏢 Selby Jennings
📍 Ottawa