Vice President, Corporate Development

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Vice President of Corporate Development to lead Accela’s inorganic growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and developing strategic partnerships and planning. The VP, Corporate Development will report directly to the CEO and play a key role in identifying, evaluating, and executing strategic opportunities that align with our long-term business goals. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, dealmaker, and hands-on operator with extensive experience in corporate development in the SaaS or technology space.

Accela is a remote first organization, with global operations in the North & Central American, Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. The ideal candidate will have proven success in navigating complex business environments and a willingness to travel as needed.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A):
  • Identify, evaluate, and recommend potential acquisition targets that align with Accela’s growth strategy and objectives.
  • Lead all stages of the M&A process, from deal sourcing, due diligence, negotiations, structuring, and post-merger integration.
  • Build financial models to evaluate the impact of potential deals to ensure long term success for the business and coordinate cross-functional due diligence teams.
• Corporate Strategy:
  • Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership team to define Accela’s long-term strategic vision and develop a pipeline of corporate development opportunities to achieve it.
  • Provide strategic guidance and insights to the CEO and Board on market trends, competitor activities, and potential growth opportunities.
  • Work closely with the CFO and finance team to assess financial risks and create a strong business case for each initiative.
• Strategic Partnerships and Alliances:
  • In collaboration with product and revenue teams, develop and manage strategic partnerships that align to the long-term strategic goals of the Company.
  • Maintain strong relationships with potential partners, including technology companies, consultancies, and other stakeholders in the public sector space.
• Cross-functional Integration Collaboration:
  • Partner with various teams including Product, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to ensure smooth integration of new acquisitions and partnerships.
  • Provide thought leadership to functional leaders on growth opportunities, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, or private equity, with at least 5 years of experience in the SaaS or technology industry.
• Proven track record in successfully leading M&A transactions from start to finish, including sourcing, diligence, and integration.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to model, analyze, and communicate the financial impacts of deals.
• Deep understanding of the SaaS industry, particularly in government technology and public sector markets, is highly preferred.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to think long-term while executing near-term objectives.

ABOUT ACCELA 
For nearly 20 years, Accela has been an industry leader in designing and delivering government software to improve efficiency, increase citizen engagement and enable the development of thriving communities. Today, citizens are savvy to how services should be delivered, and expect a consistently convenient, openly transparent view into their local government. While government agencies struggle to do more with less, our mission has never been more critical. Accela provides a robust, cloud-based platform of government software solutions that accelerate growth, efficiency, and transparency in communities of all sizes. From planning, to building, to service request management and more, Accela’s SaaS offerings level the playing field for small and medium governments and enable smaller agencies to leverage larger city technologies. Our open and flexible technology helps agencies address specific needs today, while ensuring they are well prepared for the emerging challenges of the future.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION 
Accela believes in developing and nurturing a workplace community where our differences are celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of psychological safety and belonging. Accela is committed t