Director of Corporate Development & M&A

Thrive is a NextGen global technology outsourcing provider that empowers small and mid-market organizations to transform their technology into a strategic advantage. Offering a breadth of services from AI and cybersecurity to cloud, compliance, and traditional MSP/MSSP solutions, Thrive’s team of seasoned experts develop strategies that standardize, scale, and automate technology to achieve outsized ROI. From advisory services to a 24×7×365 SOC and NOC, Thrive provides end-to-end IT and cybersecurity management so clients can focus on innovation and growth.

Location: hybrid - New York and/or New Jersey office

Position Overview:
The Director of Corporate Development & M&A is a high-impact, visible leader who will support and help drive the full M&A lifecycle—from sourcing and evaluation through diligence, execution, and post-close integration. This individual will work closely with the SVP of Corporate Development and collaborate cross-functionally with finance, operations, legal, HR, technology, and the integration team. The role provides regular exposure to Thrive’s Executive Leadership Team, Board, and Berkshire Partners. Ideal candidates bring 4–7 years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or M&A consulting, with strong strategic, financial, and execution capabilities.

Responsibilities:
Deal Sourcing & Market Intelligence

• Evaluate inbound M&A opportunities and map them against strategic priorities; 

• Support proactive sourcing across priority subsectors, geographies, and founder-led ecosystems; 

• Build and maintain relationships with founders, bankers, advisors, and industry partners; 

• Conduct market mapping, competitive landscape assessments, and sector intelligence; 

• Manage and maintain the deal pipeline; prepare updates for executive and Board-level discussions.

Deal Evaluation & Financial Analysis

• Lead financial modeling, valuation analyses, synergy analysis, and scenario planning; 

• Build business cases articulating strategic rationale, risks, and financial impact; 

• Prepare executive-ready presentations, investment memos, and Board materials.

Diligence Leadership & Transaction Execution

• Coordinate cross-functional due diligence from pre-IOI to post-LOI and sign-to-close; 

• Manage internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely, cohesive diligence outcomes; 

• Support negotiation of key transaction documents with SVP, legal counsel, and Berkshire Partners; 

• Maintain consistent communication and updates across stakeholders.

Integration & Value Creation

• Collaborate with integration teams to support post-close onboarding and synergy realization; 

• Track KPIs and value-creation metrics post-acquisition; 

• Help develop repeatable integration playbooks and M&A best practices.

Strategic Corporate Initiatives

• Conduct strategic assessments and market scans for organic and inorganic growth planning; 

• Support capital allocation, annual planning, long-range strategy, and portfolio reviews; 

• Provide analytical and strategic insights to shape the broader growth agenda. 

Requirements:

• 4–7 years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or related roles; 

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on M&A transaction experience, preferably in tech or tech-enabled services; 

• Strong familiarity with deal lifecycle

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills; 

• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; strong analytical rigor; 

• Ability to synthesize complex information into concise insights.

Leadership & Interpersonal Capabilities

• Comfortable interacting with senior executives, founders, advisors, and Board-level stakeholders; 

• Highly collaborative with strong cross-functional influence; 

• Strong project management abilities in dynamic environments; 

• Low-ego, high-integrity, positive team orientation; 

• Intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and sound judgment. 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

What Sets Us Apart:
Thrive is more than just a company; it's a testament to the power of technology and human collaboration. We deliver exceptional white glove, personalized service through our local POD approach of subject matter experts. Our journey is marked by continuous evolution, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to achieving technological excellence for our clients.

• A Proven M&A Record: Thrive has completed 26 acquisitions since 2016, with a 95% employee retention rate within 12 months from acquired companies

• A Wide Customer Base and Global Reach: Thrive serves 2600+ customers around the world, primarily mid-market and sophisticated SMBs. Thrive has a global footprint with offices in multiple countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines

• Leading Cloud and Technology Platform Alliances: Thrive offers comprehensive NextGen cloud solutions, including support for major platforms like Microsoft Azure and AWS public cloud, as well as its own enterprise-class private and hybrid cloud offerings

Base Salary Range: $160-175k (bonus eligible)

Actual compensation within the range will be dependent upon the individual's skills, experience, qualifications and location, and applicable employment laws.

Thrive is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation practices for all employees and strive to provide competitive salaries that reflect the value and skills each team member brings to our organization. Salaries are determined according to the job's scope, market data, location, and the candidate’s qualifications, including experience and relevant education.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.