Head of Capital Formation & Corporate Development

About the role

Uniphore is looking for a rare hybrid operator to lead the next phase of its private capital strategy and inorganic growth agenda. This is a CEO-adjacent, board-facing seat at a fast-growing, AI-native company — someone who will help determine how Uniphore funds its future, and what it builds versus what it buys to get there. Most organizations split this mandate across two people: one who raises capital, and one who runs M&A. We're looking for one person who can credibly do both. You don't need to be equally deep on each side — but you need a genuine track record on at least one, and real, hands-on fluency on the other. This is not a generalist finance role, and it is not an entry point into private capital markets or M&A — we're looking for someone who has already done this work and knows the players.

Key responsibilities

• Capital formation & private fundraising: Build and lead Uniphore's private fundraising strategy, targeting late-stage venture capital, growth-equity, and private equity investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals — including investors focused on companies approaching public-market readiness. Own the debt-financing strategy and lender relationships, working across bulge-bracket and specialty/boutique banking partners to structure and negotiate debt facilities. Serve as the primary point of contact for private investors: end-to-end relationship management, tailored investor presentations, financial models, and fundraising materials. Oversee investor due diligence, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with Uniphore's growth strategy.
• Corporate development & M&A: Partner with the Office of the CEO and the Chief Technology & Product Officer to drive Uniphore's inorganic growth strategy, including full-lifecycle M&A: sourcing, evaluation, negotiation, and integration. Lead build-versus-buy analysis on emerging technology and product capabilities — bringing fluency in the startup and AI research-lab landscape to identify and evaluate acquisition targets. Determine the right capital structure for each transaction — whether it's funded from existing balance sheet capacity or requires a dedicated capital raise (debt or equity) — and lead that raise when needed. Negotiate directly with target companies and their investors/cap tables through to close.
• Executive & cross-functional partnership: Act as a true financial and strategic business partner to the CFO. Work in close daily partnership with the CEO; prepare board-ready materials and help secure board-level approvals for fundraising and M&A decisions. Align fundraising and corporate development initiatives across Product, Marketing, People, Legal, and Finance. Serve as an internal expert on AI and SaaS market trends to guide strategic decision-making.

What we're looking for

• A background at the Associate through Director/Partner level within an investment bank (bulge-bracket or specialty/boutique), or equivalent principal-side experience leading fundraising and/or corporate development at a high-growth technology company.
• A demonstrated, closeable track record on at least one of the two core mandates: leading and closing private fundraising rounds with VC, growth-equity, or PE investors, or running M&A transactions full-cycle — sourcing through integration — as a principal, not solely as an advisor or banker.
• Working knowledge of whichever side isn't your primary strength — we will invest in developing you further on that side, but you need to already speak the language.
• Banking, investment banking, or venture capital experience is core to this profile. Candidates who have also spent time in-house at a public company — ideally in AI or data platforms — are especially well-positioned, bringing both the deal-side discipline and the operator's view of running these functions from inside a growth-stage business.
• AI or SaaS industry experience is non-negotiable. You should be able to speak credibly, internally and externally, to where the AI market is headed, who the emerging players and research labs are, and how that shapes build-versus-buy decisions.
• Deep fluency in private capital markets specifically — VC/PE deal mechanics, terms, and investor psychology. This is distinct from public-markets investor relations experience.
• Strong financial modeling and strategic/analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate complex M&A and fundraising decisions and their attendant risks.
• Executive presence: proven ability to build trust and credibility directly with a CEO, executive team, and board.
• A proactive, high-autonomy operator who is comfortable managing multiple live workstreams in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Master's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.

Why join Uniphore

This is an opportunity to build and own the capital strategy and M&A agenda for a high-growth, AI-native company at a pivotal stage — with direct, regular access to the CEO and the Office of the CEO on the decisions that shape the company's next chapter. It comes with a meaningful equity opportunity at a company with a strong valuation trajectory.

Pay

$200,000 - $350,000

Benefits

In addition to competitive base pay, this position also includes an annual incentive opportunity based on target achievement, pre-IPO stock options, benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with a match, and more, plus generous paid time off, paid holidays, paid day off for your birthday and other paid leave policies to support employees through all phases of life.

Location preference: USA - CA - Palo Alto