We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture
Ascend Learning is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning.
Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers.
We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.
Ascend Learning leads the way in innovation and solution creation to improve outcomes and deliver results for students, educators, and healthcare workers in the ever-changing field of healthcare. We offer advanced resources that drive nursing success, empower front-line certified allied health workers, help physicians pass boards and stay current, and provide education management tools for medical education programs.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Ascend Learning is now hiring a Corporate Development Associate to join a defined interdependent group. As a Corporate Development Associate, you will be responsible for, among other tasks, supporting all parts of generating, managing, and executing mergers and acquisitions (M&A). You will be a key member of the Corporate Development team, working with senior leadership and will be highly visible at the most senior levels of Ascend Learning. The ideal candidate is an independent thinker who can make convincing, data-based arguments, enjoys diving deep into complex problems, works effectively with cross-functional teams, is organized and methodical, and thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
WHERE YOU’LL WORK
- This position will work a hybrid scheduled from a Chicago office location. This role requires location in Chicago, IL.
HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME
- Target Identification & Evaluation:
- Develop market research and competitive landscape analyses to identify new acquisition targets and assess opportunities in the acquisition process
- Identify appropriate opportunities that support Ascend Learning’s strategic priorities through interaction with senior business leaders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investment bankers, and organic pipeline generation
- Evaluate the benefits, risks, and synergies of potential acquisitions and investments
- Develop market research and competitive landscape analyses to identify new acquisition targets and assess opportunities in the acquisition process
- Manage Deal Evaluation and Diligence Process:
- Manage and coordinate cross-functional M&A due diligence efforts
- Contribute to the valuation and deal structuring of M&A transactions.
- Support negotiation of key transaction and legal documents
- Manage the process of building internal consensus on the reasons to pursue or pass on acquisition opportunities
- Work with cross-functional teams including product, technology, legal, finance, tax, accounting, and senior management to execute transactions from term sheet
- Undertake special projects in line with the Corporate Development team's objectives
- Establish processes and strategy that enable Ascend Learning to continue to build a leading corporate development competency
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Bachelor’s degree with a major in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, science, or a technical field
- 3+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, management consulting, private equity, or venture investing, preferably in the education or technology sectors
- 3+ years of experience identifying, developing, analyzing, and successfully executing M&A transactions
- Experience aligning and driving cross-functional groups
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Excellent financial and analytical skills - including a solid understanding of valuation principles and fundamentals of financial statement analysis
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively
- Ability to build and maintain a network of senior level relationships to facilitate deal flow
- Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills
BENEFITS
- Flexible and generous paid time off
- Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- 401(k) employer matching program
- Parental leave
- Wellness resources
- Charitable matching program
- Hybrid work
- On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
- Community outreach groups
- Tuition reimbursement
Fostering A Sense of Belonging
We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued and be their authentic selves. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.
About Ascend Learning
As a tech-enabled services company, Ascend Learning is a national leader in developing and delivering data-driven online educational content, software, assessments, analytics, and simulations serving institutions, students and employers across healthcare, fitness and wellness, public and workplace safety, skilled trades, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, and higher education. We're committed to accelerating the learning pathways that can move people into careers where they have the knowledge and skills to have an impact and help change lives in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.
Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
#LI-NK1