Often confused with "Business Development", the Corporate Development position within an organization is not a commission based strategic sales role. Corporate Development professionals typically serve the executive management of large corporations, conglomerates and private equity funds through strategic planning advisory and M&A deal execution.

The position is best described as a combination of management consulting and investment banking from a functional perspective.

Projects that corporate development groups may take on are also similar to consulting and banking. For example, if a company is looking towards non-organic growth expansion, the corporate development group may be asked to evaluate potential target companies. The acquisition of small or private companies by a large corporation is usually not conducted with the assistance of investment bankers, but executed by the corporate development team themselves.

Corporate Development

Some notable large corporates with active Corporate Development teams include:

• Microsoft
• Google
• Cisco Systems
• Cisco Systems acquisitions

External links

• Association for Corporate Growth
• Acquisitions and partnerships remain a core competitive differentiator for Cisco