Corporate Development M Strategy Lead

Travel Staff; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Travel Staff is seeking a senior corporate development leader to partner with the CEO in building an acquisition-driven growth program. The role focuses on leading M&A transactions, shaping the pipeline, and driving strategic initiatives across live deals in a lean organization.

You will refine acquisition strategy, develop financial models, prepare memos for boards, and manage cross-functional workstreams with external advisors.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, transaction advisory, or management consulting with meaningful transaction experience.
• Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
• Experience supporting or leading acquisitions through evaluation, diligence, approval, and closing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional workstreams and external advisors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including preparing materials for executive, investment committees, or Boards.

Responsibilities

• Help refine acquisition strategy, investment criteria, and priority market segments.
• Build and maintain target lists and a prioritized pipeline of acquisition opportunities.
• Build full financial models including transaction structure, performance forecast, LBO, returns.
• Prepare investment memos, presentations, executive recommendations, and Board materials.
• Develop Day 1 and first-100-day integration plans, including synergy ownership and value tracking.
• Translate complex analysis into concise, decision-ready communication.

Skills

Corporate development

Investment banking

Private equity

Transaction advisory

Management consulting

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Job description

Summary:

This role is instrumental in building a more deliberate corporate development capability while continuing to invest in important organic growth initiatives. This new role will work directly with the CEO to build a proactive acquisition pipeline and lead the analytical and project-management work on live transactions, as well as drive a small number of high-priority strategic initiatives between deals. This is a hands-on role in a lean organization.

• This needs to be a high-caliber person reporting to me, who can lead M&A transactions and strategic initiatives in the company.
• Preference for degree from top schools and experience at top companies like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Goldman, etc.
• This requirement is a must: several years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, transaction advisory, or management consulting with meaningful transaction experience.

What Some Responsibilities Entail:

• Help refine the company's acquisition strategy, investment criteria, and priority market segments.

• Build and maintain target lists, and a prioritized pipeline of potential acquisition opportunities.

• Build full financial models including transaction structure, business performance forecast, LBO, returns.

• Prepare investment memos, presentations, executive recommendations, and Board materials.

• Develop Day 1 and first-100-day integration plans, including synergy ownership and value tracking.

• Translate complex analysis into concise, decision-ready communication.

What We Are Looking For:

• 5 years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, transaction advisory, or management consulting with meaningful transaction experience.

• Bachelor's degree required, MBA preferred.

• Experience supporting or leading acquisitions through evaluation, diligence, approval, and closing.

• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional workstreams and external advisors.

• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including experience preparing materials for executive, investment committees, or Boards.

** A complete job description with full disclosure of job duties and requirements will be provided to applicants who qualify and are considered for the position.