Yext (NYSE: YEXT) is the leading digital presence platform for multi-location brands, with thousands of customers worldwide. With one central platform, brands can seamlessly deliver consistent, accurate, and engaging experiences and meaningfully connect with customers anywhere in the digital world. Our AI and machine learning technology powers the knowledge behind every customer engagement, which is only possible through our team of innovators and enthusiastic collaborators. Join us and experience firsthand why we are consistently recognized as a 'Best Place to Work' globally by industry leaders such as Built In, Fortune, and Great Place To Work®! We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President of Corporate Development. Reporting to our COO, this leader will be instrumental in identifying, evaluating, and executing M&A opportunities that align with our strategic goals while also fostering robust partnerships that drive growth. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the SaaS sector, along with a disciplined approach to capital allocation and valuation frameworks. What You'll Do
- Build and manage a small corporate development team, coaching and driving a learning-first, collaborative mindset that values engaging closely with stakeholders across the business to inform and enhance our corporate development strategy.
- Develop and implement a value-driven Corporate Development strategy, identifying strategic partnership, M&A, and other non-organic growth opportunities to drive our business objectives and offer intrinsic value
- Create and deliver strategic assessments on key business areas (verticals, regions, product portfolio, etc), identifying gaps and opportunities and providing data-driven recommendations to the operating team to strengthen
- Actively spend time in market, building relationships with and engaging potential partners, industry peers, existing partners/vendors and customers to inform our corporate development point of view.
- Employ frameworks for identifying, assessing, valuating, utilizing FCF multiples and other financial metrics, as well as operational analyses to assess and recommend priority areas and specific potential acquisitions and partnerships
- Cultivate and establish strategic partnerships that enhance our strategic objectives, including our product portfolio and market reach. Work with functional leaders to strengthen existing partnerships, provide support in negotiation and strategic development approaches to enhance partnership value
- Serve on the extended leadership team and collaborate with executive leadership and other stakeholders to communicate findings, recommendations, and progress on corporate development initiatives.
- Lead a cross-functional team in evaluating and executing corporate development opportunities, ensuring alignment with company strategy and goals
- Demonstrate urgency in meeting targets, benchmarking team performance, and achieving goals
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and growth mindset
What You Have
- 12+ years of experience in M&A and strategic partnerships within the SaaS industry
- Public company experience at companies with $2B+ market cap
- Proven track record of executing value-driven acquisitions and successfully managing partnerships
- Strong grounding in financial analysis, capital allocation, and valuation methodologies
- Experience working with fast-paced, growth-oriented organizations
- Familiarity with the principles outlined in The Outsiders by Will Thorndike, particularly regarding disciplined capital allocation and management
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with a collaborative approach to cross-functional teamwork
- Strategic thinker with a focus on long-term value creation
- Disciplined and methodical in decision-making processes
- Innovative mindset, able to identify unconventional opportunities for growth
- Strong leadership presence, with the ability to inspire and influence teams and stakeholders
- Experience building and developing high-performing teams, with a track record of attracting and retaining top talent.
- Bachelor's degree or MBA preferred
- Preferred sales or partnership experience within SaaS
#LI-BC1 Pay ranges at Yext are established based on an analysis of salaries for positions with a similar level of accountability and impact in the relevant labor market. Salary levels are expected to change to reflect an employee's job performance (results and impact) over time. Salaries at the time of hire are typically offered in the lower to middle of the above-referenced range in order to provide the opportunity to reflect performance-based increases over time. In addition to base salaries, employees at Yext are typically eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental and vision benefits; life insurance; short term and long-term disability; 401(k) retirement plan; and vacation and sick leave. Successful candidates may also be eligible for equity (stock) based compensation and/or variable pay programs based on performance relative to goals and targets. Annual Base Pay Range $209,700-$349,000 USD Yext is committed to building an inclusive and diverse culture where every person is seen, heard, and valued. We believe in equal employment opportunity and welcome employees and applicants of all races, colors, ethnicities, religions, creeds, national origins, ancestries, genetics, sexes, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientations, genders (including gender identity or nonbinary or nonconformity and/or status as a trans individual), ages, physical or mental disabilities, citizenships, marital, parental and/or familial status, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. It is Yext's policy to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities as required by law. If you have a disability that requires an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the employee selection process, please complete this form.