Director of Strategic Alliances, Corporate Development – SaaS, AI, FinTech – hybrid or remote

Zest AI has been perfecting AI for consumer lending decisions since 2009.

Our mission is to make fair and transparent credit available to everyone and our AI-enabled software creates some of the most inclusive risk models in the industry.

Our Model Management System helps lenders make better decisions and better loans — increasing revenue, reducing risk, and automating compliance — while expanding credit access to deserving people with no added risk!

Zest AI is hiring for a Director of Strategic Alliances to help us drive through our next phase of growth.

This role is a rare, unique opportunity to join a small core team where you will be at the center of critical value creation for a thriving market leader.

This position reports to the Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategy.

The Corporate Development function resides with the Executive team.

This can be either a hybrid role (ideally), in the greater Burbank, CA area, or a remote role (with Pacific Time Zone candidates preferred).

In this role you will:
Work closely with senior leaders to identify, evaluate, and recommend potential strategic partnership and M&A opportunities and support the execution of deals
Work closely with the VP of Corporate Development to develop and execute a robust inorganic growth strategy in core and adjacent markets
Manage existing partnerships, including running day-to-day operations and exploring additional business opportunities
Negotiate contracts for new partnerships and renew existing contracts that present the most favorable terms possible for all parties
Conduct strategic analyses and industry research to identify and evaluate potential alliances and M&A opportunities
Manage outreach, due diligence, contracting, onboarding, and execution phases of strategic alliances and M&A opportunities
Key contributor and author for internal decision-making processes, analyses, and strategic opportunity development
Lead diligence efforts and integration priorities with internal stakeholders and strategic alliances’ management teams
Understand and stay current with the competitive landscape, M&A activity, and industry development in relevant markets
Support other duties that may be assigned as part of Corporate Development work

We are looking for:
4+ years of relevant experience in investment banking, venture capital, private equity, management consulting, and/or in-house corporate development
Substantial experience in the technology sector (enterprise software/SaaS, networking, and/or security strongly preferred)
BA/BS required, plus Master’s degree in Business Administration/related field or equivalent experience
Excellent financial analysis skills: including valuation, synergy model, business cases, P&L, etc.
Demonstrated previous success in executing all phases of strategic partnerships and the M&A cycle
Ability to spot and creatively solve complex, cross-functional operational issues, often unique to each deal
Highly advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
Demonstrated ability to excel in an innovative, fast-paced environment and manage multiple high-priority projects
Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to formulate and deliver insights around complex business problems in a thoughtful, impactful manner
Outstanding organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills conducive to driving consensus; able to work well in a cross-functional, matrix management environment
Energetic, positive attitude and exceptionally rigorous attention to detail

Perks and benefits

All Zestians experience:
The opportunity to join a mission-focused team
People – the best part of Zest
Robust healthcare plans, matching 401K, and unlimited vacation time
Generous family leave policy (12 week maternity leave/6 week paternity leave)
Tuition reimbursement, conference allowance, and Zest talks
Our Burbank, CA area, hybrid model (typically 2 days/week) Zestians experience:
Beautiful, modern, dog-friendly office with lounge areas, video games, and gigantic jigsaw puzzles
Daily catered lunches from LA’s best restaurants and a fully stocked kitchen
Complimentary manicures, pedicures, and mindfulness sessions
On-site gym with fitness classes
Company happy hours, social events, outings, and much more!

About Zest AI:

Creating a diverse and inclusive culture where all are welcomed, valued, and empowered to achieve our full potential is important to who we are and where we’re headed in the future.

We know that unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives help us think bigger, spark innovation, and succeed together.

Zest is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages professionals from underrepresented groups in technology and financial services to apply.

Our core values are Communication, Collaboration, Bias for Action, Client-centricity, and Heart.

Learn more at Zest.ai and connect with us on Twitter @Zest_AI or our Insights blog (https://www.zest.ai/insights).