Manager - Corporate Development

The big picture: Axios is a respected media company dedicated to providing trustworthy, award-winning news content in an audience-first format known as  Smart Brevity™. We are hiring a Manager, Corporate Development to identify, evaluate, and support acquisition opportunities across local and national media, with a focus on subscription-driven businesses. 

Why it matters: This role blends research, analytics, and strategic insight to fuel Axios’ expansion strategy and help us scale our impact in a rapidly changing media landscape. 

Responsibilities:

• Market Research & Prospecting

  • Map the competitive landscape of local, national, and subscription-based media companies into concise presentations for leadership.

  • Develop and maintain a pipeline of high-potential acquisition targets.

  • Track market trends, competitor movements, and emerging media models.

  • Conduct independent outreach calls to prospective targets and provide initial assessment to leadership.

  • Prepare high-impact presentations to educate leadership on the landscape, risks and opportunities

• Financial & Strategic Analysis

  • Conduct financial analysis of potential acquisition targets (revenue models, subscription growth, margins, scalability).

  • Assess strategic fit with Axios’ editorial, brand, and audience goals.

  • Prepare valuation models and acquisition scenarios in collaboration with finance.

• Due Diligence Support

  • Gather and synthesize data from public filings, industry reports, and proprietary sources.

  • Support diligence processes, including operational, financial, and cultural assessments.

  • Partner with internal teams (editorial, tech, sales, marketing) to evaluate integration potential.

  • Partner with our parent company, Cox Enterprises Inc. to obtain consensus on models and targets.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Accounting or related fields.

• 2–5 years of experience in investment banking, consulting, corporate development, private equity or business strategy (media/technology experience a plus).

• Experience building advanced financial models and investment evaluation approaches.

• Ability to distill complex data into clear, actionable insights; proficiency with Excel and presentation tools.

• Deep interest in the media landscape, particularly subscription-based and local journalism models.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally.

• Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented team environment.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Accounting, or related fields.

• Experience with investments or M&A transactions desired.

• Experience in our sectors of interest.

Starting base salary for this role is in the range of $115,000 - $145,000 and is dependent on numerous factors, including but not limited to location, work experience, and skills. This role is bonus-eligible and this range does not include the bonus or other compensation and benefits. Axios' compensation philosophy takes into account cost of labor differentials across the country. Because this is a remote-optional job posting, this salary range takes into account all possible locations within the United States, but candidates will only be eligible for the salary range for their location.

What Axios brings to the table besides salary:

• 401(k) with employer match

• Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network

• Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high deductible health plan option

• Dental and vision coverage

• Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave

• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

• One mental health day per quarter

• Annual learning and development stipend

• $100 monthly work-from-home stipend

• Tele-mental health services through Headspace

• OneMedical membership, including tele-health services

• Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate 

• Inclusive fertility, hormonal health and family forming benefits through Carrot Fertility

• Access to the Axios “Family Fund”, which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies 

• Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers 

• Virtual company-sponsored social events

• A strong and positive work environment

• A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Axios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Axios makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.