Corporate Development Director

Worker Type: Regular

Job Description Summary Reporting to the VP of Strategy and Corporate Development, youll take ownership of complex, high-value deals from initial evaluation through close. Youll work closely with senior leadership to execute our M&A strategy, lead cross-functional deal teams, and deliver sophisticated analysis that informs critical investment decisions. This role offers the opportunity to drive meaningful transactions while developing your leadership capabilities in a dynamic environment.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead evaluation and execution of M&A transactions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and partnerships.
• Own the end-to-end deal process for assigned transactions, including sourcing, diligence, valuation, negotiation, and closing.
• Build comprehensive financial models and valuation analyses to assess deal economics, synergies, and strategic fit.
• Manage cross-functional deal teams including finance, legal, HR, operations, and business unit leaders throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Develop presentation materials for the corporate development leadership team and executive stakeholders.
• Conduct market and competitive analysis to identify potential targets and assess strategic opportunities.
• Manage relationships with investment banks, advisors, and counterparties throughout the deal process.
• Support post-merger integration workstreams in partnership with Integration office and business leaders to ensure successful value capture.
• Mentor and develop junior corporate development team members, providing guidance on deal execution and analytical approaches.
• Support the VP of Corporate Development in refining our deal pipeline and transaction prioritization.
• Contribute to the evolution of corporate development processes, tools, and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• 8-12 years of progressive experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or management consulting.
• Strong track record of leading and closing multiple M&A transactions or strategic investments, with demonstrated success managing significant deals.
• Expert-level financial modeling and valuation skills across multiple methodologies (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging senior executives and articulating complex strategic concepts.
• Strong business judgment with ability to balance strategic considerations with financial analysis.
• Experience managing and mentoring junior team members.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive deals forward with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional analytical abilities with rigorous attention to detail.
• Skilled at managing multiple concurrent workstreams under tight deadlines.
• MBA strongly preferred.
• Experience with post-merger integration is highly valued.
• Industry-specific experience in industrials/defense is a plus.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, time management and organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Works well with little or no supervision and exercises independent judgement on a regular basis.
• Strong ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations of technical information concerning specific projects or schedules.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc.
• Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer.
• May require travel to sites/program and special functions.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance

• Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.
• May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling.

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen required.
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.
• Must live in a commutable distance to one of our locations.

Clearance Level

• No Clearance

The salary range for this role is: $183,501 - $259,875

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidates work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironments determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironments business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV: AV isnt for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We dont just build defense technology-we redefine whats possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but were not building history, were building whats next. If youre ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-theres no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR: U.S. Citizenship required