VP, Corporate Development

Coursera was launched in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. Today, it is one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 205 million registered learners as of March 31, 2026. Coursera partners with over 375 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, and degrees.

Coursera’s platform innovations — including generative AI-powered features like Coach, Role Play, and Course Builder, and role-based solutions like Skills Tracks — enable instructors, partners, and companies to deliver scalable, personalized, and verified learning. Institutions worldwide rely on Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, students, and citizens in high-demand fields such as GenAI, data science, technology, and business, while learners globally turn to Coursera to master the skills they need to advance their careers. Coursera is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp.

At Coursera, we are committed to building a globally diverse team and are thrilled to extend employment opportunities to individuals in any country where we have a legal entity. We require candidates to possess eligible working rights and have a compatible timezone overlap with their team to facilitate seamless collaboration. As a remote-first company, our interviews and onboarding are entirely virtual, providing a smooth and efficient experience for our candidates.

Job Overview:

Coursera is seeking a Vice President of Corporate Development to serve as a key strategic lever in accelerating the company’s transformation in the AI era. This is a high-impact role for a well-capitalized, ambitious organization looking to deploy capital thoughtfully and aggressively to expand capabilities, enter new markets, and strengthen its competitive position.

Reporting to the CFO and working closely with the CEO and executive leadership team, the VP of Corporate Development will lead the evaluation, negotiation, and execution of strategic transactions, including M&A, investments, and partnerships. This leader is supported by a lean, high-performing team.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Identify and evaluate inorganic growth opportunities aligned with Coursera’s long-term strategy, particularly in AI, enterprise learning, and global expansion


• Partner closely with the CEO, CFO, and Strategic Planning to shape and refine corporate strategy through a corporate development lens


• Translate strategic priorities into actionable deal pipelines

Deal Execution

• Lead end-to-end transaction execution, including sourcing, valuation, structuring, negotiation, diligence, and closing


• Drive complex negotiations with senior executives, founders, and advisors


• Develop and apply a rigorous corporate development framework to assess opportunities and risks

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with FP&A, Strategic Planning, Legal, Product, and Business Unit leaders to ensure alignment and execution readiness


• Support integration planning in partnership with internal stakeholders to maximize deal value


• Provide clear, data-driven recommendations to executive leadership and the Board

Team Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead a small, high-impact corporate development team


• Foster a culture of analytical rigor, speed, and strong judgment

Basic Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or related fields


• Significant experience within a corporate development function, with a strong grasp of corporate development frameworks and best practices


• Proven track record of leading and negotiating end-to-end transactions in a corporate context


• Experience in business development and strategic partnerships strongly preferred


• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment


• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and strategic analysis skills


• Exceptional communication and executive presence, with experience engaging C-level stakeholders and Boards


• Experience in technology, edtech, or AI-related sectors