Corporate Development Associate

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to over 30% of the Fortune 100 with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.  

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

As an Associate, Corporate Development, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of Upwork. You will collaborate closely with leaders at the company to develop and execute on a variety of inorganic M&A and investment strategies (e.g., acquisitions, mergers, corporate venture capital) that drive growth, enhance competitiveness, and further our overall mission. This position requires a highly analytical and motivated individual with a curiosity to learn and ability to evaluate markets, analyze companies and build financial models and strategic business cases. You will report to the Director of Corporate Development and interface with leaders throughout Upwork.

The Corporate Development team is part of a broader strategy and growth function responsible for end-to-end execution of Upwork’s strategy creation, M&A and investment activity, business development and channel and financial/payment partnerships. This will be a highly visible and impactful position that will offer the opportunity to drive long-term value creation for the company. 

Your Responsibilities:

• Serve as an internal investment banker / consultant for executive management and team leads to assess and define strategic needs, identify challenges, and develop relevant inorganic solutions.

• Research companies in surrounding industries, synthesizing and communicating learnings about the landscape with leaders throughout our company.

• Conduct rigorous market and financial analysis including business case and financial modeling, build vs. buy analysis to analyze and present recommendations on potential acquisitions, investments and other strategic growth opportunities.

• Engage in all aspects of the M&A and investment process, including strategic planning, market/sector/target evaluation, business case development, financial modeling, due diligence, deal negotiation, board material preparation, and integration efforts.

What it takes to catch our eye:

• 2-4 years experience in M&A transactions and/or strategic investments as a Corporate Development, Investment Banking, Private Equity or Venture Capital professional.

• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills with an ability to build complex operating, financial, and valuation models to evaluate transaction economics.

• Experience across all aspects of M&A or investing (idea generation, sourcing, modeling, due diligence, integration, etc.).

• Excellent business acumen and understanding of key business drivers, ideally in tech / HR tech.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with a collaborative and proactive mindset.

• Detailed, organized, structured “doer” with a willingness to roll up sleeves and take ownership.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape talent solutions for how the world works today. We are a remote-first organization working together to create exciting remote work opportunities for a global community of professionals. While we have physical offices in San Francisco and Chicago, currently we also hire full-time employees in 19 states in the United States.

At the core of our vibrant culture are shared values that form the foundation of our organization. These values revolve around trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence. Our overarching mission is to create economic opportunities so that people have better lives. We foster an environment where individuals are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, nurturing personal and professional growth through development opportunities, mentorship programs, and participation in Upwork Belonging Communities.

We take pride in providing exceptional benefits to our employees. These include comprehensive medical insurance coverage for both you and your family, unlimited paid time off, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. To explore these benefits in detail, as well as gain insights into our company values, working principles, and the overall employee experience, we invite you to visit our Life at Upwork page.

Check out our Careers page to learn more about the employee experience.

Upwork is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we never discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additionally, a criminal background check may be run on a candidate after a conditional offer of employment is made.  Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.