Group Director, HR M&A

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology. As Group Director, HR M&A, you will have the opportunity to shape the people strategy behind some of the company’s most important strategic transactions.

• Lead the HR M&A strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and other strategic transactions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and enterprise people priorities.
• Build and continuously strengthen the HR M&A operating model, playbooks, governance, tools and metrics to enable consistent, scalable execution across geographies and business units.
• Partner with executive stakeholders and deal teams to shape transaction strategy through insights on organizational design, talent, culture, rewards, labor considerations and integration risk.
• Lead HR due diligence, Day 1 readiness, synergy planning, and integration execution, helping the business navigate complexity with clarity, rigor and speed.
• Lead and influence cross‑functional and cross‑regional teams, including HR, Legal, Finance, IT, Payroll, external advisers and business leaders, to deliver coordinated, high‑impact transaction outcomes.
• Drive the HR approach to organization design, talent selection, leadership assessment, retention, employee transition and onboarding to support business continuity and long‑term value creation.
• Provide thought leadership on HR M&A priorities, guide stakeholder communications and decision‑making forums, and capture lessons learned to continuously strengthen the organization’s transaction capability.

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of progressive experience in corporate HR, HR consulting or related roles, including substantial experience leading complex global programs and initiatives.
• Deep expertise across core HR disciplines, including organizational design, talent management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, change management and workforce transitions.
• 8+ years of HR M&A experience, including leading due diligence, deal execution, integration and/or separation planning across domestic and international transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively as a senior leader in fast‑paced environments with tight timelines, high ambiguity and sensitive stakeholder dynamics.
• Strong leadership and program management capabilities, with a proven track record of leading cross‑functional teams, influencing senior decision‑making and managing external advisers.
• Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to synthesize large volumes of complex information into clear recommendations and decisive action.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to understand enterprise strategy, value creation objectives and industry dynamics in the computational software and semiconductor sectors.
• Extensive experience working across global organizations, including virtual and international environments, with strong cultural awareness and judgment.
• Excellent communication skills and executive presence, including the ability to influence and present effectively to senior leadership and other key stakeholders.

This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible role at the intersection of people strategy and business transformation. You will help shape how the company approaches some of its most important strategic transactions, working alongside experienced leaders across HR, the business and key corporate functions. You’ll have the chance to build and strengthen a critical capability, influence high‑impact decisions, and see the direct results of your work in a global organization that values collaboration, rigor and continuous improvement.

Ideal location:
San Jose, California, but other locations or remote work may be considered. The annual salary range for California is $210,000 to $390,000. Incentive compensation may include bonus, equity and benefits. Sales positions typically offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Compensation may vary based on qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location.

Benefits include:

• Paid vacation and paid holidays
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Medical, dental and vision plan options
• Other benefits as standard

Cadence is committed to equal employment opportunity throughout all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, basis of disability or any other protected class.

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