Manager of Corporate Development

About the Company

Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the California Gold Rush, Ducommun eventually assisted in the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California by providing aircraft aluminum to early aerospace pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas, and Lockheed. Today, Ducommun is a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for commercial aircraft platforms, mission-critical military and space programs, and sophisticated industrial applications.

About the Role

The Manager of Corporate Development supports the Director of Corporate Development in evaluating and executing mergers and acquisitions across the full transaction lifecycle, including target identification, valuation, due diligence, and closing. The position partners cross-functionally to assess strategic fit, risks, and value creation opportunities, while preparing analyses and presentations for senior leadership. It also contributes to post-acquisition integration efforts to ensure alignment with business objectives and synergy realization. Additionally, the role supports strategic planning activities by evaluating market trends, portfolio performance, and growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day execution of corporate development workstreams, from target identification through M&A transaction closing, under the direction of the Director of Corporate Development.
• Conduct market, industry, and competitor research; develop and maintain acquisition target lists; coordinate internal discussions; and participate in trade shows and industry events to identify potential acquisition candidates.
• Participate in meetings with potential acquisition targets, document key findings, and conduct follow-up analysis regarding strategic fit and transaction considerations.
• Build financial valuation models including discounted cash flows, leveraged buyout and merger models, and accretion/dilution analysis. Identify and quantify key risks, opportunities, and synergies.
• Coordinate cross-functional due diligence workstreams involving internal resources and external advisors, including managing requests, timelines, deliverables, and issue tracking.
• Maintain diligence trackers, synthesize findings, escalate material issues, and assist the Director and functional leaders in developing resolution plans.
• Draft presentations on potential transactions for senior management and the Board of Directors to facilitate decision-making.
• Support the Director, CFO, legal, and cross-functional teams in the preparation and negotiation of indications of interest, letters of intent, purchase agreements, and related transaction documents.
• Support acquisition integration planning and execution, including development of integration plans, coordination of functional workstreams, tracking of key milestones, and monitoring of synergy and value-creation initiatives.
• Serve as the day-to-day Integration Management Office coordinator for selected transactions, as assigned by the Director.
• Support the periodic strategic planning process and help in the formulation of the company’s long-term objectives and plans, including review of the portfolio to assess and identify strategic growth areas and initiatives (both organic and through acquisition), and evaluating new and adjacent markets.
• Manage or support ad hoc strategy projects identified by management or the Board based on prevailing industry trends.
• Responsible for protecting and maintaining all Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) to prevent unauthorized access, dissemination, or use, including proper marking, storing, transmitting, and destruction of data.
• Support all visitors and security policies to protect ITAR/EAR/CMMC/CUI information, documents, and products from unauthorized access.
• Responsible for the proper handling and management of hazardous waste generated in the work area.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; MBA preferred.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience in investment banking, corporate development, transaction advisory, private equity, strategy consulting, or a related field.
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions through multiple phases of the transaction lifecycle.
• Demonstrated experience developing detailed financial forecasts, valuation models, transaction returns analyses, and executive presentations.
• Experience coordinating due diligence workstreams and working with cross-functional teams and external advisors.
• Experience in aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing, or another relevant industry is a plus but not required.

Skills

• Strong financial acumen with advanced analytical and modeling capabilities.
• Strong understanding of transaction valuation, deal structures, transaction returns, and key acquisition agreement concepts.
• Experience supporting financial, operational, commercial, legal, and other due diligence workstreams.
• Project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple cross-functional workstreams and deadlines.
• Ability to synthesize complex information, identify key issues, and develop clear, decision-oriented recommendations.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to evaluate growth opportunities and business impact.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior executives.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with business leaders, functional teams, external advisors, and acquisition targets.
• High attention to detail and the ability to maintain accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, confidential environment.
• Self-starter capable of working independently while seeking appropriate guidance and escalating material issues.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and financial tools like FactSet.

Pay

Base Compensation: USD 180,000.00 - 230,000.00 (paid salaried).