Corporate Development Director

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Support the EVP Corporate Development and broader Corporate Development team in the identification, evaluation and execution of selected strategic activities including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and minority interest investments across the world, including commercial review and appropriate business analysis.

This is a hybrid role, 3 days per week from our London office.

This role is pivotal in driving Sage’s strategic growth through mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and partnerships. The successful candidate will lead complex corporate development initiatives, ensuring alignment with Sage’s long-term objectives and delivering value through disciplined execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Transaction Leadership:
  • Lead and coordinate all aspects of live Corporate Development projects, including due diligence and legal contract negotiations.
  • Collaborate with business unit leaders, cross‑functional teams (finance, legal, HR, operations), and external advisors to ensure seamless execution.
• Deal Execution:
  • Manage end‑to‑end transaction processes for mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, from initial evaluation through closing.
  • Accountable for coordinating third‑party advisors.
  • Manage internal approval processes for deal approvals, including preparation of valuation models and financial analyses (DCF, accretion/dilution, IRR, LBO, sensitivity analyses).
  • Provide insights on investment returns and strategic fit for proposed transactions.
• Project Management:
  • Organize and track deal timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure projects remain on schedule.
  • Maintain clear communication and documentation throughout the process.
• Team Development: Mentor and train corporate development analysts and managers, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning.
• Pipeline Development & Market Research:
  • Support industry and competitive landscape research to identify strategic opportunities.
  • Build and maintain a robust pipeline of potential mergers, acquisitions, investments, and partnerships aligned with Sage’s growth objectives.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Corporate Strategy and other internal stakeholders to understand strategic priorities and identify gaps that can be addressed through corporate development activities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in M&A, corporate development, or investment banking in Europe and the US.
• Strong financial modeling and valuation skills.
• Exceptional project management and negotiation capabilities.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Proven leadership and team development experience.
• Experience operating in a matrixed organisation.