Corporate Development Manager, M&A

Okta•Chicago, IL

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

Okta is The World’s Identity Company. We free everyone to safely use any technology, anywhere, on any device or app. Our flexible and neutral products, Okta Platform and Auth0 Platform, provide secure access, authentication, and automation, placing identity at the core of business security and growth. At Okta, we celebrate a variety of perspectives and experiences. We are not looking for someone who checks every single box - we’re looking for lifelong learners and people who can make us better with their unique experiences. Join our team! We’re building a world where Identity belongs to you. As the world accelerates towards an AI-driven, hyper-connected landscape, Okta's mission to enable secure identity for any technology has never been more critical. Our Corporate Development team is the strategic engine that will power Okta's inorganic growth, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve. We are looking for a Corporate Development Manager to be a key player in this mission, identifying and executing acquisitions that will define the future of identity. In this role, you will move beyond traditional M&A execution. You will be a market expert, developing investment theses on emerging landscapes like AI-driven security, decentralized identity, and machine-to-machine trust. You will work with Okta's senior leadership to not only buy companies but to buy capabilities that expand our platform, accelerate our roadmap, and solidify our position as the world's identity standard.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking (TMT focus), strategy consulting, or other relevant roles with a strong track record of deal execution.
A strong foundation in financial analysis, valuation, and modeling, with a deep, intuitive understanding of SaaS business models and metrics.
Proven experience working on complex M&A or strategic investment projects, ideally within the enterprise software, cloud, or security sectors.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a natural ability to distill complex topics and build consensus among executives and cross-functional teams.
Intellectual curiosity and a passion for technology, with the ability to think strategically about product-market fit, technical challenges, and competitive moats.
Comfort navigating ambiguity with a bias toward building structured execution and always seeking opportunities for continuous improvement.
Familiarity with generative AI models (ChatGPT, Anthropic, Gemini, etc.) and prompt development
Experience/familiarity with Slack, Apple MacOS and GSuite.

Responsibilities

Develop data-driven market research and investment theses on new growth areas, presenting your recommendations to product and executive leadership to influence Okta’s long-term strategy.
Source high-potential startups for acquisition, investment, or partnership, and build a strong presence across the founder and VC ecosystem.
Drive the entire M&A lifecycle for strategic acquisitions, from sourcing and initial evaluation to valuation, due diligence, and deal execution, in partnership with senior team members.
Drive work streams across diligence, valuation, financial modeling, strategic assessment, and internal recommendations
Partner with Product and Engineering leaders to evaluate build/buy/partner opportunities aligned with Okta and Auth0 roadmaps
Collaborate on integration planning with cross-functional partners after acquisitions or strategic deals
Use new technologies/AI to hunt for signals in the noise: from founders, funds, internal teams, and the broader market; and translate it into action.