Strategic Deal Desk Manager

Location: Team Finance

Team: Country London / United Kingdom

About the Role

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design. At Canva, our Finance team is building a world-class Global Deal Desk that powers our explosive growth while staying true to our design-first, collaborative culture. As Strategic Deal Desk Manager based in our vibrant London campus, you'll partner with EMEA Sales leadership to craft innovative deal strategies that delight customers and scale our creative platform across diverse markets. This hybrid role in the heart of Shoreditch offers the perfect blend of strategic impact and hands-on execution in a fun, supportive environment. You'll act as a trusted advisor shaping complex deals—from multi-year partner-led motions to region-specific GTM models—while ensuring every structure aligns with Canva's financial rigor and creative ambition. Collaborating closely with Sales, Legal, Product, and Finance, you'll bring commercial creativity to life, resolving challenges with solutions that scale. Your expertise in revenue recognition, SaaS pricing, and EMEA nuances will directly influence global governance, driving efficiency as deal volume surges. We're looking for a structured thinker who thrives in ambiguity, communicates with clarity, and balances big-picture strategy with tactical delivery. If you love designing win-win outcomes, enabling sales teams through training, and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, you'll feel right at home with our Canvanauts. Help us empower millions to create visual stories that matter—while enjoying equity, flexible leave, chef-prepared meals, and a Vibe & Thrive allowance to fuel your best work.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Sales leadership to shape deal strategies driving growth and customer success across EMEA
• Lead structuring and pricing for complex, non-standard deals balancing creativity with compliance
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (Sales, Legal, Finance, Product) to align deal terms
• Provide subject matter expertise on advanced deal structures, partner-led motions, and regional policies
• Review and approve strategic deal proposals ensuring financial soundness and strategic alignment
• Influence and refine global deal governance frameworks with regional insights
• Develop and deliver training for Sales and Deal Desk on complex deal topics
• Drive continuous improvement in deal processes and tools for scalability
• Navigate diverse EMEA market complexities and region-specific GTM models
• Advocate for process improvements supporting Canva's design-first scaling ambitions

Required Qualifications

• Deep experience in Deal Desk, Finance, Commercial Strategy, or related fields within SaaS
• Strong expertise in structuring complex SaaS and professional services deals, including multi-year, multi-entity, and partner-led transactions
• Hands-on experience supporting EMEA go-to-market teams with fluency in regional contracting nuances and compliance
• Solid grounding in revenue recognition principles and their impact on deal design
• Strong understanding of SaaS commercial terms and conditions, including common customer negotiation points
• Experience in fast-paced, scaling environments with cross-functional collaboration

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in design-led or creative technology companies
• Background supporting diverse EMEA markets with partner-led motions
• Proven track record influencing global deal governance frameworks
• Experience developing sales enablement and training programs
• Familiarity with multi-region contracting and subscription pricing strategies

Required Skills

• Deal structuring and pricing expertise
• Revenue recognition knowledge
• SaaS commercial terms fluency
• EMEA regional compliance understanding
• Cross-functional stakeholder management
• Strategic commercial thinking
• Pragmatic problem-solving
• Clear structured communication
• Training and enablement delivery
• Process improvement and scalability focus
• Cultural adaptability across time zones
• Bias toward action in ambiguity
• Influence and advocacy skills
• Multi-entity contracting experience
• Partner-led deal motion expertise

Benefits

• Equity packages to share in Canva's success
• Inclusive parental leave policy supporting all parents and carers
• Annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for wellbeing, social connection, and office setup
• Flexible leave options empowering personal recharge and growth
• Hybrid work model at Canva's vibrant London campus in Shoreditch
• Delicious home-cooked meals from our Head Chef
• Collaborative workspaces fostering creativity and connection
• Global team events and community gatherings

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.