Who We Are
At KEV, we help school districts eliminate the school finance blind spot. Our platform gives district finance teams real-time visibility and traceability into every dollar collected at the school level; whether it’s cash, check, or digital. From field trips to fundraisers, we help them manage every dollar with confidence. More than 27,000 schools across North America trust KEV to manage over $8 billion annually. By unifying payments, accounting, and reporting, KEV simplifies life for bookkeepers, builds trust with parents, and gives finance leaders the oversight their current systems cannot. It’s how we help schools stay compliant, reduce risk, and focus on what matters most, student success.
Backed by Five Arrows, the PE arm of Rothschild & Co., KEV is investing more than ever to support K–12 in a world of tighter budgets, rising scrutiny, and fast-changing tech. M&A is a core pillar of our growth strategy, with a strong track record of six completed acquisitions and an active pipeline ahead. We’re headquartered in Toronto, with offices across North America.
If you’re motivated by complex transactions, strategic growth, and building technology that protects schools and strengthens education systems, KEV offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact at scale.
This role is for an active vacancy.
About the Role
The Corporate Development team plays a critical role in KEV’s growth strategy, partnering closely with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board to identify, evaluate, and execute strategic acquisitions. Through rigorous analysis, hands-on execution, and close cross-functional collaboration, the team helps scale KEV’s platform and strengthen its market leadership.
We are looking for a Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Associate to join our growing team. This role offers significant deal exposure and operational experience, supporting the full acquisition lifecycle from market research and target sourcing to transaction execution and post-acquisition integration. KEV is an active acquirer, with a goal of completing 2–3 acquisitions per year, providing meaningful repetition and learning across deals.
You will work directly with the Head of Corporate Development, CEO, senior executives, the Board of Directors and external investors, gaining exposure typically reserved for more senior roles. This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to stretch, punch above their weight, and accelerate their career in a private equity–backed software environment.
How You’ll Contribute
- Research markets and acquisition targets — identifying trends, competitive dynamics, and potential targets that align with KEV’s long-term growth strategy
- Support M&A strategy and sourcing efforts — assisting in defining priorities, building a robust acquisition pipeline, and coordinating outreach with advisors and target companies
- Develop acquisition theses and value creation plans — defining strategic fit, investment rationale, and key value drivers to support diligence, valuation, and integration planning
- Execute transactions with rigor — preparing financial models, valuation analyses, and business cases to support investment decisions
- Enable effective due diligence — coordinating cross-functional inputs and helping synthesize findings into clear recommendations for leadership and the Board
- Contribute to post-acquisition integration — supporting integration planning and execution while capturing lessons learned to improve future acquisitions
- Engage key stakeholders — partnering with senior leaders and representing KEV professionally with external advisors, bankers, and target company executives
Who You Are
- 2–4 years of experience in Corporate Development, M&A, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Transaction Services, or Management Consulting
- Strong financial modeling and valuation skills, including DCF, comparable companies, and precedent transaction analysis
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate market insights into actionable recommendations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Confident and personable, comfortable working with senior executives and external partners
- Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and adaptable in a high-growth, private equity–backed environment
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation – We believe in rewarding great work with fair, competitive pay.
- Meaningful benefits– Because your well-being matters; both at work and at home.
- Retirement Savings Support – We help you plan for your future with company-matched programs, including RRSP matching in Canada and 401(k) contributions in the U.S.
- Professional development – We invest in your growth with ongoing learning, stretch opportunities, and continuing education, including KEV Academy for onboarding and skill-building, plus KEV University, our online platform offering a wide range of courses.
- Hybrid model – 3 days in the office to collaborate and connect, with flexibility the rest of the week.
- Flexible PTO – Take the time you need to recharge with close to 4 weeks of vacation.
- Office perks – Enjoy a fully stocked snack bar and occasional catered lunches—because we know that great conversations (and ideas) often start around good food.
Salary Range - $120,000 - $150.000
In addition, this role is eligible for variable pay that is based on company and individual performance, with actual payout amounts calculated and paid on an annual basis.
Note: We set standard base pay ranges for all roles based on function, level, and country location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including, skills, depth of work experience and relevant licenses/credentials, and may vary from the amounts listed above.
Why You’ll Love Working at KEV
- Make a real difference every day – At KEV, your work supports children, parents, and schools across North America. We don’t just build software, we create solutions that simplify lives and strengthen communities. Our mission is rooted in impact, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of K-12 education.
- The KEV Way – At KEV, you’ll never feel stuck in the status quo. You’ll be part of a team that’s constantly questioning, improving, and innovating—always with one guiding focus: How does this help our schools and the students they serve? It’s a culture that challenges you to do your best work while reminding you why it matters.
- Grow with us – We’re scaling fast, and so are our people. At KEV, you’ll have real opportunities to learn, develop, and shape your career. Whether advancing in your role or exploring a new path, you’ll be supported every step of the way.
- Work alongside excellence – You’ll be part of a team with integrity who treat their colleagues with respect. who are accomplished but humble, collaborative but accountable. It’s a place where you can do your best work while feeling supported and inspired by the people around you.
- Celebrate Community and Culture – At KEV, we connect, recognize, and celebrate our people. Join Club KEV for team-building fun, hear directly from customers in our Voice of Customer Series, stay aligned with Monthly Townhalls, and be inspired by the KEVite Awards, where top contributors are recognized by their peers.
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required by an individual joining the KEV team in this or any other capacity.
KEV Group is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), within our recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please speak with your recruiter.
KEV Group is an equal opportunity employer who agrees not to discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, or age.
KEV may use AI-enabled tools to support components of our recruitment process. These tools are used to support human decision making. All hiring decisions are made by our People and Culture team in partnership with Hiring Managers.
