We are supporting a UAE-headquartered, high-growth technology group delivering mission-critical solutions to large enterprises and public-sector organisations across the region. The business is investing heavily in inorganic growth to accelerate product capability, deepen sector offerings, and expand into adjacent markets.
The VP, Corporate Development (M&A) will be a core member of the growth leadership team, leading transactions from strategy through execution and integration value capture.
Role Mandate
- Build and execute an M&A roadmap aligned to corporate strategy and product priorities.
- Originate and progress acquisition / minority investment / JV opportunities (as appropriate).
- Lead end-to-end execution and ensure measurable post-deal value realisation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & pipeline
- Translate strategic themes into a target universe (capability-led, IP-led, and market access).
- Maintain a rolling pipeline with clear prioritisation logic and stakeholder alignment.
- Develop investment theses with defined value creation levers (commercial, product, cost, cross-sell).
Transaction execution
- Run deal processes: screening, management engagement, IOI/LOI, term sheet, SPA, closing.
- Own valuation and modelling (DCF, trading comps, precedent transactions, scenarios/sensitivities).
- Coordinate diligence across commercial, finance, legal, tax, HR, and technology (incl. cyber / data risk).
- Manage external advisors and internal workstreams; keep deals on pace and decision-ready.
Governance & risk
- Prepare materials for executive and board/committee approvals.
- Implement robust governance, documentation standards, and risk controls (including third-party integrity checks where relevant).
Integration & value capture
- Establish PMI plans, synergy tracking, KPI reporting, and executive cadence.
- Ensure accountability for delivery of the deal thesis and intervene early when value is at risk.
Requirements:
- 1216+ years in Corporate Development, M&A Investment Banking, PE, or Transactions (buy-side heavy).
- Proven execution of tech / software / data / AI acquisitions (platform, product, IP, and capability-led deals preferred).
- Strong commercial judgement plus ability to engage credibly with product/engineering leaders on platform and architecture topics (data platforms, GenAI, analytics, security, governance).
- Experienced in cross-border dealmaking (ideally emerging markets), stakeholder-heavy environments, and complex procurement/government-style buyers.
- Strong commercial judgement, structured thinking, and excellent stakeholder management in complex environments.
- Confident working with technical leaders to assess product fit, integration complexity, and IP considerations (without needing to be an engineer).
- High discretion, maturity, and integrity; comfortable operating at C-suite and board level.
- English essential; Arabic is a plus.
Indicative Focus Areas (Non-Exhaustive)
- Capability acquisitions (software modules, workflow tools, specialised platforms)
- Data/analytics enablement (tooling, sector-specific datasets, accelerators)
- AI/automation adjacencies (productised solutions, enterprise enablement layers)
- Selective international expansion opportunities (where strategically relevant)
