Senior Director, Corporate Development

About this role

Job Description:

We believe in bold ideas, diverse perspectives, and the drive to transform knowledge into impact. Here, your curiosity fuels progress, your voice shapes innovation, and your ambition helps redefine what’s possible within science and learning. We are a culture that obsesses over impact, challenges, and drives what’s next to power infinite possibilities for our customers, colleagues and society at large.

About the Role:

Wiley   is   at   an exciting inflection point in its   transformation,   as we   anticipate   and adapt to the shifting needs of our customers while harnessing the possibilities enabled by technology and innovation.   As part of   our   recent   strategic pivot,   we   are   actively   pursuing   opportunities   at the frontiers of research & discovery,   identifying   new opportunities to   leverage   A I ,   content,   and data services.   T his is   an opportune   moment   to join Wiley as   a   Senior Director   in our Corporate Development team , helping to drive   Wiley’s growth and shape our enterprise portfolio through transformative transactions   around the world .  

Reporting   directly   to the Corporate Vice President , Head   of   Corporate Development ,   you’ll   be a key architect   of   Wiley's inorganic growth agenda. You will drive the full M&A lifecycle — from origination and market intelligence through diligence, valuation, and   close —   with the speed , thoroughness,   and precision   required   in a fast-moving   and high-stakes   transformation environment.   This is a high-visibility role with direct C-suite exposure and meaningful impact on the company's long-term trajectory , ideal   for a self-directed dealmaker who thrives with autonomy and knows how to   marshal resources and   engage with key internal and external stakeholders to   get transactions   done .    

Job Responsibilities  

Deal Origination ,   Pipeline Management , and Competitive Intelligence  

• Work with   the SVP - Strategy, CVP - Corporate Development, and partners in the business   units to   buil d   and   maintain   a disciplined M&A pipeline aligned with Wiley's strategic priorities in data services, AI-enabled publishing, and adjacent content and technology verticals  

• In partnership with   the Strategy team, leverage   Wiley's market intelligence capabilities across target vertical s to   delive r   competitive   intelligence   and strategic foresight that informs the   acquisition   agenda  

• T ranslate market dynamics into strategic recommendations that inform M&A prioritization   

• Proactively   identify   and cultivate acquisition targets and partnership opportunities through market intelligence, industry relationships, and competitive analysis  

• Expand and deepen relationships with   our   growing network of   external partners   in   investment bank ing , venture capital , financial sponso rs , and other thought leaders in our markets  

• Own the deal thesis from   initial   screen through executive and Board-level presentation, synthesizing complex market dynamics into compelling, actionable investment recommendations  

• Support investor relations and corporate marketing in articulating Wiley's M&A narrative and strategic differentiation to external stakeholders.  

Financial Analysis & Valuation  

• Lead rigorous financial modeling and valuation work including DCF, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, and accretion/dilution modeling

• Apply sharp deal judgment to assess risk-adjusted returns and strategic fit, moving quickly in ambiguous situations to frame trade-offs for senior decision-makers   and executive leaders .  

• Partner closely with Finance to ensure disciplined assumptions and integration of strategic plans into financial frameworks  

• Translate financial   objectives   to inform deal structuring and   key transaction terms  

Due Diligence & Transaction Execution  

• Own deal structuring and negotiation support, partnering with Legal to   optimize   transaction term s in service of strategic and financial objectives  

• Lead all phases of due diligence — commercial, financial, legal, operational — coordinating cross-functional workstreams and external advisors , balancing   speed ,   quality , and thoroughnes s .  

• Successfully manage multiple simultaneous deals in a fast-paced transformation environment, escalating decisively when issues arise  

• E nsur e   clear,   consistent   and   timely   communication with key stakeholders  

Strategic Integration   Planning   & Post-Close Value Creation  

• Collaborate with functional leaders   and external vendors   to develop integration plans that capture synergies and protect deal value from Day 1.  

• Establish KPIs and performance frameworks to track post-close value creation against the original deal thesis   and modeling assumptions  

Required Qualifications  

• Bachelor's degree   required ; MBA from a top-tier business school   or graduate degrees in related discipline   strongly preferred  

• 8–1 0 + years of progressive experience in investment banking (M&A or coverage), private equity,   venture capital,   or corporate development at a company undergoing significant transformation ; candidates with both investment banking and corporate development experience strongly preferred  

• Deep   expertise   across the full M&A transaction lifecycle — origination, valuation, diligence, negotiation, and close  

• Proven   track record   of leading   multiple   complex , time-sensitive transactions with real financial and strategic accountability  

• Exceptional financial modeling skills with the ability to independently build and stress-test deal models  

• Executive presence   and communication skills,   with the ability to influence and present to C-suite and Board-level stakeholders  

• Demonstrated ability to   operate   with a high degree of autonomy and self-direction in fast-paced, ambiguous environments

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