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# Head of Corporate Strategy & M&A with a Public Software Co. – Austin, TX


Role Overview for Head of Corporate Strategy & M&A with a Public Software Co. – Austin, TX
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a leading, publicly traded software company—a recognized innovator in the enterprise SaaS solutions space—in their search for a transformative Head of Corporate Strategy & M&A. Based in the vibrant and rapidly growing tech hub of Austin, Texas, our client is at a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory. With a strong market position and a clear vision for the future, they are poised to accelerate their expansion and solidify their industry leadership through a combination of organic innovation and strategic acquisitions. This is a rare and compelling opportunity to join the executive leadership team and play a direct, instrumental role in shaping the future of a dynamic, high-growth organization.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Head of Corporate Strategy & M&A will be the central architect of the company’s long-term strategic direction. This executive will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of strategic initiatives, from conception and analysis to execution and integration. You will lead the charge in identifying and evaluating inorganic growth opportunities, including mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments, and joint ventures, that align with the company’s overarching vision. This is a highly visible role that requires a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the software and technology landscape, exceptional financial and analytical acumen, and a proven ability to orchestrate and execute complex transactions that create significant, long-term shareholder value.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned strategist and dealmaker who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will serve as a key advisor to the CEO and the Board of Directors, providing critical insights and data-driven recommendations on market trends, competitive dynamics, and potential corporate development opportunities. You will build and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of strategic thinking, rigorous analysis, and flawless execution across the organization. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for technology and a track record of driving transformative growth, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of Head of Corporate Strategy & M&A with a Public Software Co. – Austin, TX
Strategic Planning & Corporate Development

Lead the company’s annual and long-range strategic planning process in close collaboration with the CEO and the executive team. This includes facilitating executive off-sites, developing comprehensive multi-year strategic frameworks, and translating high-level goals into actionable, measurable initiatives.
Conduct continuous, in-depth analysis of the market landscape, including competitive intelligence, emerging technology trends, and shifting customer needs, to identify potential opportunities and threats.
Develop and maintain a corporate development pipeline, systematically identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing potential acquisition targets, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships that align with the company’s product roadmap and strategic objectives.
Prepare and present sophisticated, data-driven business cases and strategic recommendations to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors to secure buy-in and guide decision-making on critical initiatives.
Establish and manage a robust framework for evaluating new market entry strategies, business models, and other organic growth vectors, ensuring all strategic initiatives are rigorously assessed for their potential ROI and strategic fit.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Execution

Own and manage the entire M&A lifecycle from end-to-end, including target sourcing, initial screening, strategic and financial evaluation, modeling, and valuation.
Lead the structuring and negotiation of transaction terms, including letters of intent (LOI) and definitive purchase agreements, in partnership with legal counsel and executive stakeholders.
Orchestrate and oversee comprehensive due diligence efforts, coordinating cross-functional teams across Finance, Legal, Product, Engineering, Sales, and HR to ensure all potential risks and synergies are thoroughly vetted.
Develop detailed financial models and valuation analyses to support deal rationale and pricing. Present a clear and compelling investment thesis for each proposed transaction.
Lead the development of a detailed post-merger integration (PMI) plan in advance of closing. Post-close, you will oversee the integration process, working closely with functional leaders to ensure the successful realization of strategic objectives, cost synergies, and revenue opportunities.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Build, mentor, and lead a world-class Corporate Strategy & M&A team, fostering a culture of high performance, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration.
Act as a key strategic advisor to the CEO, CFO, and other members of the senior leadership team, providing insightful counsel on all matters related to corporate strategy and M&A.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with a network of external partners, including investment bankers, venture capitalists, industry experts, and potential acquisition targets.
Effectively communicate the company’s strategy, key initiatives, and M&A rationale to internal teams, ensuring alignment and enthusiasm across the organization.
Partner with the Investor Relations team to articulate the company’s strategic narrative and the value creation potential of its M&A activities to investors and the broader financial community.

Requirements for the Head of Corporate Strategy & M&A with a Public Software Co. – Austin, TX
Professional Experience

A minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or corporate strategy, with a significant portion of that time focused on the software/SaaS/technology sector.
A proven and extensive track record of successfully leading and executing a full range of M&A transactions, from sourcing and negotiation to due diligence and post-merger integration.
Direct experience working within a publicly traded technology company is strongly preferred, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the associated regulatory, reporting, and stakeholder management requirements.
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing corporate-level strategy, including market analysis, competitive positioning, and long-range planning.
Experience managing and developing high-performing teams is essential.

Core Competencies & Skills

Exceptional financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills, with a deep understanding of methodologies like Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis, comparable company analysis, and precedent transaction analysis.
Superior strategic and critical thinking abilities, with the capacity to analyze complex, ambiguous situations and distill them into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to articulate complex concepts and influence decision-making at the most senior levels, including the Board of Directors.
Strong negotiation skills and business acumen, with the ability to structure creative and favorable deal terms.
An innate ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. You are a team player who can lead through influence.
High level of integrity, executive presence, and sound judgment.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related quantitative field is required.
An MBA from a top-tier business school is highly preferred.

Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:

Competitive executive compensation package including a generous base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and significant long-term equity incentives (RSUs/Stock Options).
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
401(k) retirement plan with a strong company match.
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy and paid company holidays.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
Relocation assistance for qualified candidates moving to the Austin area.
A professional development budget for conferences, certifications, and continuing education.
Executive coaching and leadership development programs.
Wellness stipend to support your physical and mental health.
A modern, collaborative office environment in a prime Austin location with on-site amenities.

How to Apply
This is a retained search exclusively conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary leader with the experience and drive to lead the strategic evolution of a market-leading public software company, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications. For more information about our expertise in this area, please visit the JRG Partners’ Technology Executive Search practice page.
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.