Interview Process Overview for Head of Corporate Development at MasterClass

If you’re preparing for the Head of Corporate Development role at MasterClass, here’s a comprehensive guide based on my experience and insights from others who have gone through the interview process for this position. The process typically assesses both your strategic thinking and operational execution in corporate development, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and business partnerships. Below is an overview of the interview stages, typical questions, and tips for success.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for the Head of Corporate Development at MasterClass is multi-stage, focusing on strategic and operational capabilities, leadership skills, and cultural fit. It typically involves a recruiter call, multiple rounds with senior leadership, and possibly a case study or strategic exercise.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The first step is usually an initial recruiter call that lasts around 30-45 minutes. This call focuses on understanding your background, motivations for applying, and fit for the position. The recruiter will provide an overview of the company and the role.

Typical Questions:

• “Tell me about your experience in corporate development, particularly around mergers and acquisitions (M&A).”
• “Why are you interested in MasterClass and this specific role?”
• “How do you approach sourcing and evaluating potential acquisition targets or strategic partnerships?”
• “Can you walk me through a past deal or partnership you’ve led and what made it successful?”

The recruiter will also clarify the scope of the role, what MasterClass is looking for, and set expectations for the next steps in the interview process.

2. First Round Interview (with Senior Leadership or Hiring Manager)

The next step typically involves an interview with the hiring manager or a senior executive from the corporate development team. In this round, the focus will shift to your strategic thinking, M&A experience, and team leadership.

Topics Covered:

• Mergers and Acquisitions: Expect to discuss your experience sourcing, structuring, and executing M&A deals. They’ll want to understand your thought process, including due diligence, negotiations, and integration strategies.
• Partnership Development: If relevant, you may also discuss partnerships you’ve worked on and how you assess strategic alignment and value in potential partnerships.
• Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration: You’ll likely be asked about how you lead teams, work cross-functionally with finance, legal, and product teams, and manage internal and external stakeholders.

Sample Questions:

• “Describe a time when you identified a potential acquisition target that aligned with business goals. How did you approach the deal from start to finish?”
• “What are the key metrics you look at when evaluating a potential acquisition or partnership?”
• “How do you ensure smooth post-acquisition integration and achieve the targeted synergies?”
• “MasterClass is scaling rapidly. How would you assess the company’s growth strategy and identify key M&A or partnership opportunities?”

This interview tests both your technical expertise in corporate development and your ability to align strategic opportunities with the broader business goals at MasterClass.

3. Case Study or Strategic Exercise

At this stage, you might be given a case study or strategic exercise to work through. This is designed to test your ability to think strategically, problem-solve in a real-world context, and demonstrate your understanding of how M&A or partnerships can drive business growth.

Case Study Prompt:

• “MasterClass is considering acquiring a small but highly innovative ed-tech company that specializes in AI-based learning tools. What steps would you take to evaluate this potential acquisition, and how would you align this acquisition with MasterClass’s long-term vision?”
• “Imagine you are tasked with identifying potential strategic partnerships to expand MasterClass’s reach in international markets. What criteria would you use to evaluate potential partners, and how would you approach negotiations?”

In this part of the interview, it’s important to break down the problem, assess potential risks, and provide a clear roadmap for action. They will want to see how you evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and collaborate with other functions.

4. Behavioral and Leadership Interview

In the behavioral interview, you will be assessed on your leadership style, how you handle challenges, and how you align with MasterClass’s culture. MasterClass places a strong emphasis on cultural fit, so expect to be asked questions about how you collaborate with others and manage conflict in high-stakes situations.

Sample Behavioral Questions:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team through a challenging negotiation. How did you manage differing viewpoints and reach a consensus?”
• “How do you handle situations where senior executives or other stakeholders disagree with your assessment of a potential deal?”
• “MasterClass values creativity and innovation. Can you share a time when you brought a new strategic idea or approach to the table?”
• “Describe a situation where you had to manage a complex deal with tight timelines. How did you prioritize your tasks and manage expectations?”

This stage evaluates your interpersonal skills, team management, and decision-making process under pressure, and how well you’ll fit into MasterClass’s leadership team.

5. Final Interview with Executive Leadership

The final stage typically involves meeting with senior leadership, possibly including the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) or other top executives. The focus here is on your alignment with MasterClass’s long-term goals, your vision for corporate development, and how you plan to drive growth through acquisitions and partnerships.

Sample Executive Leadership Questions:

• “What do you see as the biggest opportunities for MasterClass in terms of acquisitions and partnerships? How would you approach these?”
• “How would you align corporate development with MasterClass’s mission and values while ensuring we remain innovative and forward-thinking?”
• “Where do you see the greatest challenges in scaling MasterClass’s business globally, and how would you address these through M&A and partnerships?”

This stage is an opportunity for you to align your personal vision with the company’s strategic direction. The interview will assess how well you understand MasterClass’s mission, how you plan to lead the corporate development function, and your long-term strategic vision for growth.

Key Skills and Tools for Success

To succeed in the Head of Corporate Development interview at MasterClass, you should demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Experience in sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and integrating acquisitions. Strong knowledge of financial modeling, due diligence, and post-deal integration.
• Partnership Development: Experience in identifying, structuring, and negotiating strategic partnerships that align with business goals.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills to manage cross-functional teams and drive high-stakes negotiations. Ability to inspire teams and navigate complex organizational structures.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to think long-term, anticipate business opportunities, and align corporate development initiatives with MasterClass’s mission and business goals.
• Financial Acumen: Comfort with financial modeling and understanding the metrics that drive value in corporate development (e.g., ROI, EBITDA, synergy realization).
• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication skills to collaborate with senior executives, product teams, finance, and legal to align on goals and strategies.

Final Tips for Preparation

• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to break down strategic decisions and demonstrate your problem-solving approach. Practice analyzing opportunities from multiple angles: financial, cultural, operational, and strategic.
• Brush Up on M&A Knowledge: Revisit your experience with M&A, including the full lifecycle of acquisitions. Be prepared to discuss past deals in-depth and highlight your role in making them successful.
• Understand MasterClass’s Growth: Familiarize yourself with MasterClass’s strategic initiatives, recent acquisitions or partnerships, and the challenges they may face in scaling globally.
• Emphasize Leadership: Show how you’ve led teams, managed complex deals, and collaborated with senior leadership to shape business outcomes.
• Know the Company Culture: MasterClass values creativity, excellence, and innovation. Be prepared to discuss how your vision for corporate development aligns with these values.