Director, Strategy and M&A

Core Competencies for Success

• Strategic Thinking: Able to synthesize complex inputs, market trends, customer needs, and internal capabilities into clear strategies that align with long-term goals.
• M&A Expertise: Proven success leading all phases of acquisitions including sourcing, due diligence, valuation, negotiations, deal structuring, and post-close integration.
• Financial Acumen: Strong ability to build and interpret financial models, conduct valuations, and assess investment opportunities with discipline and clarity.
• Collaborative Influence: Builds trust across executive leadership and cross-functional teams, driving alignment without direct authority.
• Executive Presence & Communication: Confidently represents strategy and deal rationale to senior leaders, the board, and external partners.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset (Kaizen): Brings structure, discipline, and a drive to improve strategic processes and decision-making frameworks.
• Results Orientation: Operates with urgency, sets clear objectives, and consistently delivers measurable outcomes.

The Candidate We Are Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field; MBA preferred
• 10+ years of experience in M&A, corporate strategy, investment banking, FP&A, or strategic consulting
• Proven success leading end-to-end M&A transactions, including due diligence, valuation, negotiations, and integration
• Experience driving strategy within complex engineering, manufacturing, or aerospace & defense environments preferred
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and portfolio strategy capabilities with the ability to translate insights into actionable growth opportunities
• Executive-level communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience in Lean, Kaizen, EBOS, or related operational excellence practices

Defining Leadership Opportunity

• Legacy: Join a privately held, 188-year-old company that takes a long-term approach, free from the short-term pressures of quarterly-driven reporting.
• Impact: Shape enterprise-wide strategy and lead M&A execution that will directly determine the company’s future growth and success.
• Partnership: Work directly with the General Manager, Business Unit President, and senior leadership team in a highly visible and influential role.
• Culture of Excellence: Thrive in an entrepreneurial environment that values people, integrity, and mission-driven excellence, with a commitment to continuous improvement.