Director, Strategy & Corporate Development

Company Description When you join Renaissance®, you join a global leader in pre-K–12 education technology! Renaissance’s solutions help educators analyze, customize, and plan personalized learning paths for students, allowing time for what matters—creating energizing learning experiences in the classroom. Our fiercely passionate employees and educational partners have helped drive phenomenal student growth, with Renaissance solutions being used in over one-third of US schools and in more than 100 countries worldwide. Every day, we are connected to our mission by exemplifying our values: trust each other, win together, strive for the best, own our actions, and grow and evolve. Job Description Founded in 1986, Renaissance Learning is a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts. With over 2,300 employees in the United States, Canada, China, the United Kingdom and Australia, the company’s mission is to accelerate learning for all children and adults of all ability levels and ethnic and social backgrounds, worldwide. As such, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. Renaissance solutions reach more than 40% of US schools and more than a half million students in other regions across the world. As technology continues to change, and as teachers and students connect in new ways, the company’s commitment to accelerating learning is unwavering—both inside and outside the classroom. The company opened its first international office in 1999, in the United Kingdom. Today, its products are used in more than 100 countries across six continents. The Renaissance portfolio includes Star Assessments, for reliable, accurate insights into K–12 student learning; myIGDIs, for accurate assessment of early learning; myON, to increase students’ access to high-quality reading materials; Accelerated Reader, to support independent reading practice; Freckle, for teacher-led differentiated instruction; Schoolzilla, to give educators actionable insights into trends in student attendance and achievement; Lalilo, to develop critical foundational skills; and Nearpod, for teacher-facilitated instructional delivery. Renaissance is owned by Francisco Partners, Blackstone, and TPG and since 2018 has completed 9 acquisitions. The company is the recognized leader in the highly fragmented education technology sector and is well positioned to be an active consolidator in the space during the next few years. Therefore, the company expects to pursue an ambitious M&A strategy going forward. Opportunity: The Director of Strategy & Corporate Development will support the company’s inorganic growth initiatives (identifying, evaluating, and executing M&A opportunities), and will work effectively cross-functionally identifying, defining and exploiting innovative new long-term product and market opportunities for the company. This individual will act as the point person working hand-in-hand with our Product Leaders to identify acquisitions based on our strategic direction, existing roadmap, and market opportunities. Reporting to Scott Van der Linden, SVP of Corporate Development, the role will interact regularly and work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and our private equity sponsors. The position will serve as a key member of building out a world-class corporate development function and will help to lead the acquisition deal process including evaluating strategic product fit, business and market due diligence, and post-closing integration planning. In this role as the Director, Strategy & Corporate Development you will: • Be the point person for in-depth strategy and product fit analysis including buy/build/partner analysis • Be the point person, working closely with our Product Leaders, in evaluation of potential product/company acquisitions relative to strategic fit and market potential • Work closely and directly with SVP and Senior Leadership to develop, maintain, and expand the company’s acquisition pipeline • Lead integration planning and post-closing tracking of key KPI and performance metrics • Support due diligence processes across functional disciplines • Surveillance of Renaissance Learning’s current and adjacent markets and communication of emerging trends, competitors, and new potential targets • Support development of deal approval materials for internal stakeholders and the private equity sponsors, including preparation of the formal Board presentation of conclusions on strategic fit • Utilize deep expertise in the K-12 educational technology landscape through constant surveillance of the market and of key trends Qualifications For this role as the Director, Strategy & Corporate Development you should have • BA and/or BS required, MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred • Experience and passion about the K-12 educational technology industry • A demonstrated track record of accomplishment and delivering results in a self-directed environment • The ability to analyze and synthesize internal and external data, including macroeconomics trends, to inform investment viewpoints and focus • Skills in strategic analysis of B2B and B2C technology businesses and their internal operations • Skills in data analysis (ARR, churn, customer, pricing, growth calculations, etc.), and summarization of key findings is required • Ability to effectively deliver on cross-functional projects and lead in a matrixed organization Bonus Points: • Be an energetic, proactive, results oriented business professional who possesses a strong desire to grow and learn • SaaS platform experience is valuable, but not required • Understanding of software engineering and product development ideal • International/global experience is valuable, but not required Additional Information All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Salary: $145,800 to $200,400 This range is based on national market data and may vary by location. Travel will be required on an as needed basis. Benefits: • World Class Health Benefits: Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, Telehealth • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts • 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with company match • Paid Vacation and Sick Time Off • 12 Paid Holidays • Parental Leave (20 total weeks with 14 weeks paid) & Milk Stork program • Tuition Reimbursement • Life & Disability Insurance • Well-being and Employee Assistance Programs Frequently cited statistics show that some women, underrepresented individuals, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities may only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Renaissance, we encourage all applications! Roles evolve over time, especially with innovation, and you may be just the person we need for the future! EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Renaissance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate with respect to any term, condition or privilege of employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, or status of an individual in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS Renaissance also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Talent Acquisition. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. For information about Renaissance, visit: Apply tot his job