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IBM Software M&A Strategy and Business Development

IBM

Sales & Business Development

Posted on Apr 1, 2025

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Introduction

Join IBM, a leader in the fast-paced enterprise software business with a portfolio built around hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI), the two most transformational technologies of our time. The IBM Software M&A Strategy and Business Development team is a high-performing group which provides strategic perspectives that are critical to driving revenue growth for IBM Software. The team is responsible for defining and executing on a broad range of inorganic growth initiatives. The location preferences for this role are New York City and Boston metro areas.

Your role and responsibilities

IBM Software M&A Strategy & Business Development Executives (M&A BDEs) are responsible for identifying acquisition opportunities and targets for IBM Software. M&A BDEs help define the acquisition strategy, identify potential candidates and go deeper to help select lead candidates to take forward for acquisition consideration. M&A BDEs will also recruit and build on-going trusted relationships with a broad range of enterprise software companies for the purpose of identifying M&A candidates that meet IBM’s objectives. Generally, M&A BDEs will acquire an extensive knowledge of the candidates’ businesses and the industries in which the candidates operate. The M&A BDEs will work with IBM and candidate teams to develop product and go-to-market strategies and plans. M&A BDEs will develop extensive executive and senior management relationships with key decision makers and influencers and will facilitate relationships between candidate executives and corresponding IBMers. Some M&A BDEs have deeper skills in technology, strategy and product management. Others are skilled in financial analysis, deal structure and transaction experience.

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

At least 3-5 years’ experience with a major business in Software, Consulting, or Banking/Finance
Ability to multi-task, and flexibility to quickly embrace varying priorities based on the needs of the business
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives
Critical thinking / problem solving aptitude

Preferred technical and professional experience

Technical or data-intensive undergraduate degree
At least 6-8 years’ experience with a major business in Enterprise Software, Consulting, or Banking/Finance related to the Security Software Business
Meaningful experience in Software Product Management, Data Analytics, Market Research
Business development experience
Product management or project management skills
Background in technology such as software development, computer engineering
Experience in Mergers & Acquisitions

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Software infuses core business operations with intelligence—from machine learning to generative AI—to help make organizations more responsive, productive, and resilient. IBM Software helps clients put AI into action now to create real value with trust, speed, and confidence across digital labor, IT automation, application modernization, security, and sustainability. Critical to this is the ability to make use of all data, because AI is only as good as the data that fuels it. In most organizations data is spread across multiple clouds, on premises, in private datacenters, and at the edge. IBM’s AI and data platform scales and accelerates the impact of AI with trusted data, and provides leading capabilities to train, tune and deploy AI across business. IBM’s hybrid cloud platform is one of the most comprehensive and consistent approach to development, security, and operations across hybrid environments—a flexible foundation for leveraging data, wherever it resides, to extend AI deep into a business.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 50 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
Financial programs such as 401(k), the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.