Intellectica is recruiting an experienced Corporate Development Director on behalf of its client, a global leader in professional certification and assessment services operating in over 200 countries. The organization is recognized for its rapid international expansion and strategic acquisitions that have strengthened its market position across technology-enabled learning and credentialing. Based in Athens, Greece, and reporting directly to the Chief Corporate Development Officer, the Corporate Development Director will play a central role in spearheading strategic initiatives focused on mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and corporate investments. Operating at the intersection of strategy, finance, and execution, the successful candidate will lead complex transactions and ensure seamless integration.
Key activities and responsibilities of this role include:
Strategic Planning & Origination
- Define and refine the corporate development strategy in alignment with the company’s growth objectives
- Develop comprehensive business plans to support strategic initiatives and investment decisions
- Identify and prioritize acquisition targets, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities across global markets
- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities through market intelligence, networking, and proactive outreach
Transaction Execution
- Lead end-to-end M&A processes, including valuation, due diligence, negotiation, and structuring
- Develop comprehensive financial models and scenario analyses to support investment decisions
- Prepare Board-level presentations and investment cases that articulate strategic rationale and expected synergies
Integration & Value Creation
- Oversee post-merger integration planning and execution to ensure operational alignment and synergy realization
- Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, legal, HR, and operations to deliver seamless integration
Market & Competitive Analysis
- Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging technologies to inform strategic decisions
- Provide insights on market dynamics and regulatory developments impacting corporate development initiatives
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead and mentor a team of two direct reports (Associates), fostering a high-performance culture
- Manage relationships with external advisors, investment banks, and key stakeholders throughout the transaction lifecycle
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on strategic investment decisions
Professional experience & qualifications of a successful candidate:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field; MSc, MBA, or CFA/IRC designation is highly preferred
- Minimum of 8 years’ experience in corporate development, corporate finance, investment banking, or private equity, with a strong focus on M&A
- Industry-related background (e.g., education, technology-enabled services) is considered an asset
- Excellent financial modeling and presentation development skills with a high degree of accuracy
- Demonstrated track record of leading cross-border and international transactions from origination to integration
- Deep understanding of capital markets, corporate finance principles, and regulatory frameworks
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint
- Fluency in English and Greek (written and spoken)
Core competencies of a successful candidate:
- Clear communicator with stakeholder management skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset with commercial focus
- Strong prioritization and project ownership
- Sharp analytical thinking and investment judgment
- Strategic perspective with attention to execution
- Thrives in high-performance, evolving environments