Corporate Development Deal Lead

About Checkr Checkr is building the data platform to power safe and fair decisions. Over 140,000 companies and millions of people rely on Checkr for AI verification in the moments that matter most: getting a new job, a new place to live, a car ride, childcare, even a date. Customers include Uber, Pennymac, Airbnb, Doordash, and Anthropic. We’re a team that thrives on solving complex problems with innovative solutions that advance our mission. Checkr is recognized on Forbes Cloud 100 2025 List and is a Y Combinator 2024 Breakthrough Company . About the team/role As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a Corporate Development Lead to join our finance team and report to the CFO. This is a pivotal role shaping our company’s future. You’ll source, evaluate, negotiate and execute M&A and ecosystem opportunities. The role partners across the organization and contributes directly to our overarching strategic plan. What you'll do • Own our M&A and ecosystem strategy: analyze Checkr’s total addressable market (TAM), identify priority sub-segments, and build the target pipeline. • Run the end-to-end M&A process from sourcing through close, working with Finance, Product, Sales, Legal, HR, IT and Operations on due diligence. • Perform detailed diligence on target value proposition, market positioning, differentiation, firm growth, and trajectory. • Build relationships with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investment banks, financial institutions and consulting firms to source deals. • Prepare and present acquisition proposals to senior leadership and the board. • Create integration plans before close and maintain post-mortem analysis afterward. • Maintain peer and precedent-transaction benchmarking to support investor discussions. What you bring • Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. • 10+ years in corporate development, private equity, or a related M&A field. • Deep financial modeling and analytical skills, with strong project management and attention to detail under tight deadlines. • Strong experience structuring, negotiating and closing deals, with a track record of spotting red flags and judging a good deal. • Executive presence and credibility with target leadership, our executives and the board. • Advanced communication and presentation skills, with sound judgment and discretion on confidential information. • Experience in a fast-growing environment, preferably software/SaaS. • Working knowledge of financial markets and fundraising. • An A-player mindset with a strong bias for action: you raise the bar, move with urgency, stay resilient through ambiguity, and take ownership to deliver meaningful outcomes. Nice to have • A Master's degree or relevant certification (e.g., CFA). • In-house experience supporting Corporate Development. Pay Transparency Disclosure We use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop ranges for our roles and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range. If this role is remote, we have listed the top to the bottom of the possible range, but we will specify the target range for an exact location when you are selected for a recruiting discussion. For more information on our compensation philosophy, see our website . On-target Earnings OR Base Salary range (San Francisco, CA) $306,000 — $360,000 USD What We Offer • A fast-paced and collaborative environment • Learning and development allowance • Competitive cash and equity compensation, and opportunity for advancement • 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage • Up to $25K reimbursement for fertility, adoption, and parental planning services • Flexible PTO policy • Monthly wellness stipend At Checkr, we believe an in office work environment strengthens collaboration, drives inn