M&A / Corporate Development
Drives external growth: target sourcing, valuation, due diligence, negotiation and acquisition integration.
Why this hire matters.
A successful acquisition can gain three years of roadmap or lock up a market; a failed one can destroy years of value — and most deals destroy value, almost always for the same reasons: price too high, superficial due diligence, improvised integration. The corporate development lead professionalizes the discipline: a target pipeline aligned with strategy, rigorous valuations, structured negotiations, and above all an integration plan designed before signing — where success is actually decided. In-house (vs advisory banks) they bring continuity: they know your strategy, cultivate target relationships years before the deal, and stay accountable after closing. Hire someone who has seen deals end-to-end, integration included — not just the financial execution.
Key missions.
- Build and run the target pipeline
- Lead valuations and acquisition business cases
- Drive due diligence (financial, legal, tech)
- Negotiate terms (LOI, SPA, earn-outs)
- Prepare and track post-acquisition integration
- Manage external advisors (banks, lawyers)
- Evaluate inbound opportunities and strategic partnerships
Skills.
Technical skills
- Valuation (DCF, multiples, VC method)
- Deal structuring
- Due diligence management
- Advanced financial modeling
- M&A legal basics
Expected qualities
- Negotiation
- Absolute discretion
- Project management under pressure
- Strategic judgment
Common stack
Salaries 2025-2026
| Level | Experience | Annual gross base | Annual gross package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst | 0-3 yrs | 45–55 k€ | 60–75 k€ |
| Associate | 3-6 yrs | 50–80 k€ | 70–110 k€ |
| Manager / VP | 6-10 yrs | 90–150 k€ | — |
| Director / MD Corporate Development | 10+ yrs | 120–200 k€ | — |
Paris market ranges, 2025-2026.
Sources : Option Finance 2026 · Glassdoor France 2026 (Dir. M&A moyenne 140,75k) · Michael Page 2026
Marché très parisien
Hiring this profile.
Typical background
Investment banking, transaction services or private equity, pivoted to corporate. Deals done (size, real role, outcome) make the CV.
When to hire
When external growth becomes a recurring strategic pillar (several deals envisioned) — Series C+ scale-up or acquisitive mid-cap. For a one-off deal, external advisors suffice.
Career path
Manager → Director Corporate Development → CFO or general management.