At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead corporate development initiatives, focusing on acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
- Company: Forter, a leader in agentic commerce and fraud prevention.
- Benefits: Vision & dental benefits, fitness subsidies, 25 days holiday, and remote work options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence industry trends.
- Why this job: Drive impactful growth strategies and shape the future of commerce.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in corporate development or related fields; strong analytical and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Forter is entering a phase of increased focus on inorganic growth, strategic partnerships and new value creation opportunities, as part of our broader strategy to become the trust engine for agentic commerce.
As Senior Corporate Development Manager, you will own the end-to-end corporate development agenda – across acquisitions, strategic partnerships and emerging data monetization opportunities – working in close collaboration with business leaders across Forter. This role serves as the central point of ownership and coordination for evaluating and executing strategic opportunities, while leveraging deep subject-matter expertise across Forter.
You will partner closely with the SVP - Business Development, the executive team, and business unit leaders to ensure Forter consistently identifies, prioritises, and executes high-impact opportunities that accelerate our long-term strategy.
- Collaborate with SVP - BD and business unit leaders across Forter to source and evaluate potential acquisition and partnership opportunities, aligning with Forter’s business objectives.
- Establish M&A Playbooks: Build Forter’s formal M&A infrastructure, including standardized frameworks for “build/buy/partner” decisions, due diligence process, and post-merger integration templates.
- Develop and maintain a clear build / buy / partner framework, aligned with Forter’s product roadmap, AI strategy, and long-term product vision.
- Maintain a deep understanding of the agentic commerce, fraud, identity, and payments ecosystems.
- Build and manage a prioritised pipeline of potential acquisitions, acquihires, and strategic partnerships, and work cross-functionally to develop strategic rationales and investment theses for opportunities.
- Collaborate with Finance on valuation, financial modelling, and return analysis to support disciplined decision-making.
- Drive the execution of M&A transactions, serving as the central coordinator across all workstreams (cross-functional due diligence, transaction documents, closing activities, etc.).
- Lead cross-functional post-acquisition integration planning, ensuring alignment on operating model, product and technology integration, data, security and compliance, and people and culture considerations.
- Ensure effective execution of integration plans, working with functional owners to track progress, resolve issues, and realise intended strategic value.
- Help define and execute a strategy to responsibly unlock value from Forter’s data network, evaluating new product, partnership, and acquisition opportunities while balancing regulatory, contractual, and reputational considerations.
- In collaboration with SVP - BD and the Forter AI team, represent Forter as a thought leader in agentic commerce through industry conferences, panels, and ecosystem forums, and build and maintain relationships with relevant founders, partners, investors, and strategic platforms.
- In collaboration with the Forter AI team, engage with regulators and policymakers to help shape the evolution of the ecosystem in which Forter operates.
- Travel to relevant markets for partner meetings and conferences as needed to effectively implement Forter’s corporate development strategy.
Benefits:
- Vision & Dental Benefits
- Fitness Subsidies
- 25 days holiday (excl. bank holidays)
- Work from home opportunities
- Health insurance
Experience:
- Driving post-acquisition integration planning and execution, including operating model design, product and technology integration, and change management.
- Advanced financial modelling, valuation, and business case development capabilities; experience partnering closely with Finance & Legal teams on return analysis and capital allocation decisions.
- Powerful negotiation skills: ability to navigate high-pressure deal cycles while maintaining “founder-friendly” relationships and strategic integrity.
- 7+ years of experience in corporate development, strategy, investment banking, management consulting, private equity, venture capital, or a closely related role, with significant hands-on experience in and ownership of M&A and strategic partnership transactions.
- Experience operating in high-growth technology environments, preferably within fintech, fraud prevention, identity, payments, e-commerce, AI/ML, or data-driven platforms.
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives, influencing senior stakeholders across Product, Engineering, Finance, Legal, Security, Data, and Go-To-Market teams.
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to develop investment theses, build / buy / partner frameworks, and connect market insights to long-term product and company strategy.
- Demonstrated track record of leading end-to-end M&A and partnership processes, including sourcing, diligence, valuation, deal structuring, negotiation, and post-close integration.
Senior Corporate Development Manager employer: Forter
Forter is an exceptional employer that prioritises a human-first approach while leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to redefine the e-commerce landscape. With a strong commitment to employee growth, Forter offers competitive salaries, RSU offerings, and a generous PTO policy, all within a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values curiosity and kindness. Located in vibrant hubs like New York and London, employees benefit from a hybrid work model that fosters both professional development and meaningful connections among colleagues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Corporate Development Manager
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Forter.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Forter.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Corporate Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Forter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Forter. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forter
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Forter, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Forter, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Forter could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Forter as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.