Director, Corporate Development & M&A Integration

Job Description:

Most M&A roles stop at the closing dinner or start after the ink is dry. At Vertex, you will bridge both.

We are seeking an execution-focused Director, Corporate Development & M&A Integration, to connect acquisition strategy and transaction execution directly to post-merger value creation. As Vertex accelerates its global cloud and AI-enabled compliance expansion, you will ensure every acquisition-from high-velocity capability tuck-ins to regional e-invoicing and platform expansions-delivers on its investment thesis, protects customer and talent retention, and drives durable recurring revenue growth.

At Vertex, we help businesses navigate the complexity of global indirect tax and compliance with confidence. Since 1978, we have combined deep tax expertise with enterprise software to support the full transaction lifecycle-from tax determination and e-invoicing to reporting, filing, and audit defense. Today, more than 60% of the Fortune 500 trust Vertex to manage their global compliance needs. By connecting tax domain leadership, cloud technology, and responsibly applied AI, we help enterprises reduce friction, gain visibility, and transact and grow globally.

The Opportunity

Sitting at the intersection of corporate development and our Integration Management Office (IMO), the Director, Corporate Development & M&A Integration leads end-to-end deal execution and post-acquisition integration across the full transaction lifecycle.

Partnering closely with the Chief Strategy Officer, CSO organization, Corporate Development leadership, and cross-functional executives, you will evaluate market adjacencies, build investment business cases, orchestrate cross-functional due diligence, and translate diligence findings directly into Day 1 readiness and 100-day value-capture plans. Success in this role requires a collaborative leader who builds immediate credibility with C-suite and functional stakeholders, influences without relying on formal line authority, and balances public-company governance with the operational agility needed to integrate founder-led and international software teams.

What You Will Do

Corporate Development & Transaction Execution

- Partnering with executive leadership and product/regional strategy leads to shape Vertex's inorganic growth roadmap, map market adjacencies (including global e-invoicing, AI-enabled compliance, and ERP ecosystem extensions), and maintain a prioritized M&A target pipeline.

- Lead target origination and cultivate relationships with investment banks, M&A advisors, growth equity sponsors, and founder-led software businesses.

- Direct complex SaaS financial modeling, DCF and market-multiple valuations, ARR/cohort retention analyses, cost-to-achieve estimates, and accretive/dilutive scenarios to support executive and Board recommendations.

- Support Letters of Intent (LOIs), transaction structuring (including working capital, earnouts, holdbacks, and key-talent retention mechanics), and definitive agreement negotiations alongside senior Corporate Development, Legal, and Tax leaders.

- Orchestrate end-to-end due diligence across Product & Engineering, Tax Content, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Commercial/GTM, Finance, HR, and Legal-translating diligence findings directly into a binding pre-close integration charter prior to signing.

M&A Integration & Value Realization

- Design deal-specific integration strategies matched to each transaction archetype-protecting acquired engineering and product velocity on capability tuck-ins while integrating commercial, security, and compliance foundations.

- Build, standardize, and continuously refine Vertex's IMO playbooks, templates, RAID logs, dependency maps, and post-mortem feedback loops.

- Lead cross-functional teams through pre-close Day 1 readiness (entity close, payroll/benefits continuity, customer assurances, and security baselines) as well as disciplined Day 30, Day 100, and Day 365 execution plans.

- Align paired Vertex and acquired-company workstream leads across Product & Platform, Tax Content & Regulatory, Cloud/Security & Data, Customer & GTM, People & Culture, and Back Office & Legal, enforcing capacity guardrails that protect core delivery roadmaps.

- Partner with FP&A and business owners to govern a single, auditable synergy and value-creation ledger tracking cross-sell ARR, gross and net revenue retention (GRR/NRR), integration budgets, and run-rate EBITDA impact.

- Partner with Customer Success and People leaders to run customer retention guardrails and key-person retention programs ahead of milestone and cliff dates, executing structured handoffs to business-as-usual (BAU) owners by Day 180-365.

Governance & Continuous Improvement

- Lead weekly IMO governance reviews and prepare concise, decision-oriented materials for the Executive Integration Steering Committee, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and investor communications.

- Drive cross-functional accountability against milestones and SLAs, resolving operational dependencies laterally and escalating threshold commercial or resource trade-offs requiring executive authority.

- Apply AI, analytics, and workflow automation to accelerate market screening, virtual data room (VDR) diligence extraction, synergy tracking, and real-time integration health reporting.

What You Will Bring

- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Strategy, or a related analytical discipline required; MBA, CFA, or advanced degree strongly preferred.

- 10+ years of progressive experience across corporate development, M&A integration leadership, investment banking, private equity, management or strategy consulting, and/or corporate strategy-including at least 4+ years operating inside or directly advising enterprise B2B SaaS, cloud software, FinTech, or compliance technology businesses.

- Demonstrated experience leading multiple acquisitions and full-lifecycle post-merger integration programs from valuation and due diligence through Day 1-365 synergy realization.

- Proven track record of developing investment theses and presenting financial analyses and strategic business cases to C-suite executives and Board stakeholders.

- Experience integrating founder-led or cross-border technology teams into a public-company environment while protecting customer continuity and critical talent retention.

Skills & Capabilities

- Advanced proficiency in corporate finance, three-statement and DCF valuation modeling, SaaS unit economics (ARR, NRR/GRR, Rule of 40), purchase-accounting interfaces, and synergy ledger governance.

- Working fluency in enterprise cloud software integration patterns, including API architectures, ERP ecosystems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Workday), SOC 2 cybersecurity baselines, SOX/ITGC controls, and cross-border data privacy frameworks.

- Exceptional executive communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders across matrixed functions without relying on direct authority.

- Demonstrated change-management leadership balanced with disciplined operational execution, sound prioritization, and attention to detail in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

- Hands-on experience leveraging VDR platforms, portfolio tracking suites, BI dashboards, and AI-enabled diligence and integration tools.

COMMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.

Vertex Values: Together We Win

We're building a team of people who are passionate about making an impact for our customers and committed to how that impact is achieved. Our values define the behaviors, mindset, and culture that make Vertex a great place to grow and do meaningful work.

Play to Win or We Don't Play - If we choose to do something, we're choosing to do it because we plan to win. That mindset raises our bar on product quality, customer outcomes, and how we show up for one another.

Work As a Team, Putting the Customer At the Core - Our customers are our true north. Whatever your role, ask: how will this help a customer succeed today? We earn trust through outcomes, not promises.

Achieve Excellence With Integrity, Speed, and Agility - The market isn't slowing down. We'll move faster, adapt quickly, and never compromise on doing things the right way - for teammates, customers, and partners.

Innovate Boldly With a Growth Mindset - Progress demands smart risk. We'll try new approaches, learn fast, and keep pushing the boundaries - especially where AI can remove friction and unlock value.

Communicate with Care, Candor and Transparency - Honest, constructive conversations make us better. Let's speak plainly about what's working and what isn't and help each other improve.

Pay Transparency Statement:

Base pay offered to new hires may vary based upon factors including relevant industry and job-related skills and experience, geographic location, and business needs.* The range displayed does not encompass the full potential of the role, which allows for further growth and career progression.

In addition, as a part of our total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Vertex Bonus Plan (VOB), a role-specific sales commission/bonus, and/or equity grants.

Learn more about Life at Vertex and connect with your recruiter for more details regarding Vertex's compensation and benefit programs.

*In no case will your pay fall below applicable local minimum wage requirements.