Overview:
At SITA, we keep airports moving, airlines flying smoothly, and borders open. Our technology and communication innovations power the success of the global air travel industry.
You'll find us in 95% of international airports, working closely with over 2,500 transportation and government clients. Each partnership brings unique challenges, and we thrive on delivering fresh solutions and cutting-edge tech to keep operations running like clockwork. We don't just move the world forward-we're proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work® by 79% of our employees and certified in most of our growing locations. Here, we feel empowered, supported, and inspired to grow.
Are you ready to love your job?
The adventure begins right here, with you, at SITA.
The Head of M&A is accountable for pipeline qualification, deal conversion, and disciplined capital deployment across SITA’s inorganic growth agenda.
Reporting to the CFO / Head of Corporate Finance, the Head of M&A is accountable for building a high‑quality, executable M&A pipeline, rigorously assessing and risk‑adjusting inorganic opportunities, and converting them into value‑accretive transactions.
The role ensures strict governance, execution discipline, and capital protection across the inorganic portfolio, working in close partnership with Business Units and Group Strategy.
1. M&A Strategy, Pipeline Build‑Up & Execution
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Build and maintain a high‑quality, executable M&A pipeline aligned with SITA’s strategic priorities and capital allocation framework.
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Shape and convert BU‑ and Strategy‑originated opportunities into executable transactions through rigorous qualification, valuation discipline, and structuring.
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In close partnership with Business Units, lead the evaluation and execution of bolt‑on acquisitions in priority domains
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Lead the full M&A lifecycle from advanced qualification through valuation, due diligence, structuring, negotiation, signing, and closing.
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Ensure inorganic activity supports SITA’s medium‑term growth ambition without margin dilution, through disciplined pricing, structure, and integration assumptions.
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Oversee early integration planning and enforce value‑creation discipline to ensure deal theses are executable and measurable.
2. Pipeline Governance, Risk & Execution Discipline
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Ensure all transactions comply with SITA’s governance, approval, documentation, and compliance requirements.
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Own the pipeline qualification framework, ensuring clear classification of opportunities (executable, upside‑only, exploratory) and decision‑oriented reporting on readiness, risks, and capital exposure.
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Drive early kill and walk‑away decisions where valuation, risk, or strategic alignment is not met.
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Lead post‑transaction post‑mortems and lessons‑learned reviews to continuously improve deal quality and execution discipline.
3. Governance, Board & Stakeholder Management
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Act as a principal advisor to the CFO, CEO, and Board on the execution of SITA’s 2030 inorganic growth strategy, including pipeline readiness, value creation, and key risk trade‑offs
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Prepare concise, high‑quality Board and ARMCom materials, focused on decision clarity rather than deal volume.
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Manage relationships with targets, investment banks, and transaction advisors, ensuring alignment with SITA’s governance and conduct standards.
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Ensure full compliance with regulatory, security, data protection, and government‑customer requirements relevant to SITA’s operating environment.
4. Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
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Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing M&A function, with clear accountability for deal quality, conversion, and capital discipline.
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Coach and develop team members, manage performance, and build a sustainable talent pipeline.
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Partner closely with Group Strategy, Business Units, Product, Technology, Legal, Tax, and Finance to ensure alignment between strategic intent, execution feasibility, and value realisation.
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Embed a culture of financial discipline, ROI focus, and post‑deal accountability across inorganic initiatives.
Qualifications:
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Senior M&A experience (10–15+ years), preferably in software, SaaS, IT services, or platform‑based businesses, with exposure to complex international transactions.
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Demonstrated track record leading cross‑border bolt‑on acquisitions from qualification through closing within structured governance environments.
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Strong understanding of M&A value drivers, financing structures, and capital market considerations underpinning Board‑level investment decisions.
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Proven negotiation skills in complex, multi‑party transactions and high‑stakes situations.
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Advanced financial modelling and valuation expertise, particularly in technology‑enabled and recurring‑revenue businesses.
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Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate deal rationale, risks, and value creation to senior stakeholders.
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Solid knowledge of regulatory, legal, and risk considerations across the M&A lifecycle.
COMPETENCIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
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Outcome‑driven and resilient, with the energy and focus to pursue ambitious objectives while maintaining discipline and judgment over long investment cycles.
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Demonstrates high integrity, sound judgment, and personal credibility, operating as a trusted partner at all levels of the organisation, including Executive Committee and Board.
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Strategic and commercially astute, with strong financial judgment and the ability to assess value, risk, and trade‑offs in complex and uncertain situations.
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Confident and credible at Board and Executive level, with the presence and authority to influence senior stakeholders and support high‑quality decision‑making.
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Disciplined, pragmatic, and results‑oriented, able to balance speed with rigour and maintain control in high‑stakes, time‑critical environments.
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Effective in complex, multi‑stakeholder ecosystems, capable of navigating long investment horizons, aligning diverse interests, and driving value creation.
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Builds and leads high‑performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and strong cross‑functional partnerships.
We're all about diversity. We operate in 200 countries and speak 60 different languages and cultures. We're really proud of our inclusive environment. Our offices are comfortable and fun places to work, and we make sure you get to work from home too. Find out what it's like to join our team and take a step closer to your best life ever.
Flex Week: Work from home up to 2 days/week (depending on your team's needs)
Flex Day: Make your workday suit your life and plans.
Flex-Location: Take up to 30 days a year to work from any location in the world.
Employee Wellbeing: We have got you covered with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), for you and your dependents 24/7, 365 days/year. We also offer Champion Health - a personalized platform that supports a range of wellbeing needs.
Professional Development: At SITA, we believe growth fuels innovation. Our learning ecosystem offers access to world-class platforms and programs designed to help you thrive. From LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft's Enterprise Skills Initiative, and Airport Council International -available to all employees-to specialized solutions like Pluralsight for technology upskilling, Harvard Business Publishing for people leadership, Stanford for strategic development and many others, we align learning opportunities with your Development Plan and our business priorities. Your development journey is supported every step of the way.
Competitive Benefits: Competitive benefits that make sense with both your local market and employment status.
SITA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce. In support of our Employment Equity Program, we encourage women, aboriginal people, members of visible minorities, and/or persons with disabilities to apply and self-identify in the application process.
