Senior Associate, Corporate Development

The Corporate Development Senior Associate will be a key contributor to all aspects of the M&A process at Kiteworks, including strategy, market analysis, sourcing, valuation, due diligence, legal document review, and post-closing value capture. This position requires a candidate with outstanding interpersonal skills, strong financial and business aptitude, exceptional attention to detail, and excellent analytical and modeling skills, who is comfortable communicating with founders, board members, senior advisors, and C-Level executives, both internally and externally. Enthusiastic, disciplined, organized, and self-motivated, the ideal candidate is a team player who brings a strong work ethic, a high ownership mindset, and thrives in a fast-paced environment This position reports to the Senior Manager, Corporate Development, and sits within the broader Corporate and Business Development function. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of working in our San Mateo, CA office at least three days per week, and travel, from time to time, for meetings with M&A target companies. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on high impact role in a fast-growing and highly profitable technology company which protects sensitive data and ensures privacy and compliance for the most critical and reputable organizations worldwide. You will have the opportunity to develop your M&A expertise and operational skill set across the most exciting deal stages and a broad range of transaction sizes and geographies, while making critical contributions which will shape the company’s future. What You'll Do Research and identify acquisition opportunities to support the company’s growth, including market mapping across geographies and strategic/technology focus areas, and participate in outreach and initial discussions with targets Holistically screen potential acquisition opportunities for compatibility with the company’s inorganic growth strategy Develop and maintain detailed financial and operational models, as well as other analyses on prospective acquisition targets Take ownership of virtual data room (VDR) review and analysis, including developing deep familiarity with all diligence materials, understanding key data points and disclosures, identifying risks and value drivers, and proactively flagging issues and follow-ups to internal stakeholders Manage due diligence workstreams including communication with targets, sellers, and third-party advisors and engagements with internal Kiteworks teams (finance, legal, product, security, IT, go-to-market, etc.) Conduct thorough due diligence on acquisition targets reviewing and analyzing information provided by target company management, and leading meetings with target company management Contribute to drafting and reviewing terms and agreements with prospective targets, including term sheets and purchase agreements Draft high quality written reports, memoranda, and presentation materials for the executive team, investors, and Board of Directors, including slides that accurately reflect deal status, diligence findings, and recommendations with strong attention to detail Present on calls and in meetings, on both overall Corporate Development activity and specific projects, to senior audiences including the CEO and executive team Track relevant market developments including competitive behavior, fundraising, and investment activity Contribute to ongoing review and development of the company’s inorganic growth strategy (e.g., researching markets, technologies, and product-market fit) Proactively support and improve the Corporate Development pipeline, processes, and activities at all stages, including leveraging AI-enabled tools and testing new software solutions to improve productivity, insight generation, and execution efficiency Research and identify acquisition opportunities to support the company’s growth, including market mapping across geographies and strategic/technology focus areas, and participate in outreach and initial discussions with targets Holistically screen potential acquisition opportunities for compatibility with the company’s inorganic growth strategy Develop and maintain detailed financial and operational models, as well as other analyses on prospective acquisition targets Take ownership of virtual data room (VDR) review and analysis, including developing deep familiarity with all diligence materials, understanding key data points and disclosures, identifying risks and value drivers, and proactively flagging issues and follow-ups to internal stakeholders Manage due diligence workstreams including communication with targets, sellers, and third-party advisors and engagements with internal Kiteworks teams (finance, legal, product, security, IT, go-to-market, etc.) Conduct thorough due diligence on acquisition targets reviewing and analyzing information provided by target company management, and leading meetings with target company management Contribute to drafting and reviewing terms and agreements with prospective targets, including term sheets and purchase agreements Draft high quality written reports, memoranda, and presentation materials for the executive team, investors, and Board of Directors, including slides that accurately reflect deal status, diligence findings, and recommendations with strong attention to detail Present on calls and in meetings, on both overall Corporate Development activity and specific projects, to senior audiences including the CEO and executive team Track relevant market developments including competitive behavior, fundraising, and investment activity Contribute to ongoing review and development of the company’s inorganic growth strategy (e.g., researching markets, technologies, and product-market fit) Proactively support and improve the Corporate Development pipeline, processes, and activities at all stages, including leveraging AI-enabled tools and testing new software solutions to improve productivity, insight generation, and execution efficiency Protect confidential business information and partner data, ensuring secure sharing practices and compliance with data protection agreements and ISO 27001 controls. What You'll Bring Bachelor's degree; finance, accounting, economics, or a technical field – a plus 4+ years of relevant transaction, investment, or M&A-related experience, including exposure to evaluating technology businesses. Backgrounds may include investment banking, private equity, venture capital, venture debt, corporate development, transaction advisory, or consulting with significant M&A or diligence exposure. A proven record of successfully supporting transactions e.g., in sourcing, diligence, purchase agreement negotiations, signing, and closing Strong attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to review, synthesize, and analyze large volumes of information in virtual data rooms and other diligence materials. Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong presentation skills; ability to communicate clearly and confidently with C-Level executives and external counterparties Expertise in Microsoft Excel and advanced financial modeling with ability to dive into technical issues as needed Experience leading or coordinating cross-functional workstreams (finance, legal, product, IT, etc.), without formal authority Self-motivated, intellectually curious, and comfortable operating without direct supervision Software industry experience, especially at a SaaS/subscription company – a plus Experience, or a high level of knowledge, in cybersecurity, compliance, privacy, or other highly technical software domains – a plus. Hands-on experience building AI Agents and AI-driven workflows – a big plus The Values That Define Us Execution – We deliver results with focus, ownership, and consistency. Our teams take initiative, solve challenges proactively, and continuously optimize how we work to create meaningful impact for our customers. Transparency – We communicate openly and clearly, ensuring stakeholders have the information they need to make informed decisions. We foster a culture of trust, welcome feedback, and embrace accountability in everything we do. Integrity – We uphold the highest standards of honesty and responsibility. Our teams act ethically, consistently honor commitments, and build trust through principled, reliable actions. ​ Compensation Range Annual Base Salary Range: $125,000 – $170,000 Base pay depends on many factors, such as location, education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Kiteworks competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Benefits & Perks Equity - stock options to share in company success Healthcare 3 Cigna plans (PPO, EPO, HDHP) 90% covered (PPO/EPO) + $0 premium HDHP $1,200–$2,400 HSA contribution 100% covered dental & vision Savings & Retirement FSA + Dependent Care FSA 401(k) with 100% match (up to $5K), immediate vesting Coverage - Fully paid life & disability insurance Family Benefits 16 weeks (birthing) / 8 weeks (non-birthing) $10Klifetimereimbursementfertility benefit Care & Support - One Medical membership + EAP counseling Time Off & Flexibility Unlimited PTO + 10 holidays 10 work-from-anywhere days Perks - Catered lunches + in-office massage days Commitment to Equal Opportunity & Inclusion Kiteworks is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. Other Requirements Ability to meet Kiteworks, customer, and/or government security screening requirements for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings: Kiteworks Background Check: This position requires passing the Kiteworks background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Please note that this role is open to individuals who already have U.S. work authorization. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.