Apple looking to add acquisition analysts to its M&A team

Apple October 2013 event (Tim Cook, Apple logo 001)

Apple is looking to boost its Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) team by hiring acquisition integration analysts, giving us a vague indication that a more diligent strategy to snapping up other companies could be in the cards for the Cupertino firm.

The new job position was posted earlier today on Apple’s job listings website and reported on by Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac. A listing for Acquisition Integration Analyst reveals that Apple is looking for an M&A expert to assist in its acquisitions, by working with the company’s HR, Legal, IS&T, Real Estate, Operations, Finance and Tax departments…

The job ad reads:

The Acquisition Integration Analyst will partner with Apple’s Corporate Development team to deliver the successful integration of acquired companies. For each acquisition, this person will drive multiple integration work streams, identify issues and drive decisions while coordinating with experts throughout Apple.

The ideal candidate will possess confidence in leading meetings, comfort with making decisions and ability to document and respond quickly to inquiries, Apple writes.

As you could imagine, “a persistent attention to detail” is a must, as is ability to “think both strategically and tactically” and “work with a high degree of ambiguity”.

You should also posses “high emotional intelligence,” have “strong business acuity” and be able to “influence and motivate without authority,” explains Apple.

As you know, the iPhone maker typically buys smaller startups for talent: they bought fifteen companies in fiscal 2013 and seven since start of 2014.

CEO Tim Cook isn’t necessarily opposed to spending some of Apple’s $160 billion cash pile on a big acquisition, provided it makes sense from the technology and corporate culture standpoint.

“We’ve looked at big companies,” Cook told The Wall Street Journal last month. “We have no problem spending 10 figures for the right company, for the right fit that’s in the best interest of Apple in the long-term. None. Zero”.

If you have a penchant for multi-billion dollar acquisitions, meet Apple’s criteria and are willing to put in long hours, you can apply for the job here.