Director, Corporate Development and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Leonardo DRS; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) savings plan

Flexible work schedules

Paid parental leave

Job summary

A leading defense technology company in Arlington, Virginia, is seeking a Director of Corporate Development (M&A) to lead inorganic growth initiatives including deal sourcing, evaluation, and negotiations. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in corporate development or investment banking and possess strong skills in financial analysis and executive communication. This role offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including health coverage and a flexible work schedule.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in corporate development or investment banking.
• Demonstrated track record executing transactions from origination through close.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of inorganic growth initiatives including deal sourcing and negotiation.
• Build and maintain a strategically aligned pipeline of acquisitions and investments.
• Perform strategic, financial, operational, and commercial analyses.

Skills

Valuation methodologies (DCF, comparables, precedent transactions)

Financial modeling

Analytical and quantitative skills

Executive communication skills

Relationship building with senior management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related discipline

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

FactSet

Job description

Director, Corporate Development and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Leonardo DRS, Inc. is an innovative and agile provider of advanced defense technology to U.S. national security customers and allies around the world. We specialize in the design, development and manufacture of advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion, and other leading mission‑critical technologies. Our innovative people are leading the way in developing disruptive technologies for autonomous, dynamic, interconnected, and multi‑domain capabilities to defend against new and emerging threats.

Job ID: 113462

Job Summary

The Director, Corporate Development (M&A) leads the full lifecycle of inorganic growth initiatives, including deal sourcing, evaluation, diligence, negotiation, and closing. This role partners with senior leadership to identify strategic opportunities that enhance the company’s portfolio, accelerate growth, expand capabilities, and drive synergies. The Director will provide rigorous, market‑informed analysis and serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team and Board on capital allocation and financial strategy.

Job Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strategically aligned pipeline of acquisitions, investments, and divestitures.
• Conduct continuous market scanning to identify targets, emerging technologies, and partnership opportunities.
• Assist in the sourcing of proprietary deal flow by building relationships with investment banks, advisors, private equity, and industry networks.
• Co‑lead end‑to‑end deal execution: modeling, valuation, transaction structuring, negotiation support, and Board‑level materials.
• Perform strategic, financial, operational, and commercial analyses to assess value creation and risks.
• Coordinate cross‑functional diligence teams (finance, legal, HR, operations, etc.) and manage diligence timelines.
• Partner with legal and external advisors on transaction documentation, data rooms, and regulatory issues.
• Help develop plans for revenue synergies, cost efficiencies, cultural alignment, and operational continuity.
• Track and report post‑merger performance, synergy realization, and ROI.
• Provide leadership with insights on competitive landscape, consolidation trends, and potential disruptors.
• Support long‑term strategic planning, portfolio optimization, and capital allocation decisions.
• Prepare executive‑ and Board‑ready presentations articulating strategic rationale, deal economics, and preliminary integration plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or corporate finance.
• Demonstrated track record executing transactions from origination through close, preferably in defense or broader industrial sectors.
• Strong command of valuation methodologies (DCF, comparables, precedent transactions), financial modeling, and analysis.
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills; ability to synthesize complex issues into clear recommendations.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills and experience with financial platforms such as FactSet.
• Strong executive communication skills (written, oral, presentation); experience preparing Board‑level materials.
• Professional presence and ability to interact effectively with senior management and Board members.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to build trust across technical, operational, and financial teams.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with tight deadlines and competing priorities with strong attention to detail.
• Discretion handling sensitive, confidential information.

What success looks like

• Robust, prioritized M&A pipeline that supports company strategy.
• Timely, thorough, and cross‑functionally aligned diligence and execution.
• Executed transactions that deliver strategic alignment and measurable ROI.
• Senior leadership and Board express high confidence in recommendations and analyses.
• Measurable contribution to long‑term portfolio optimization and value creation.

Benefits

We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a company contribution to a health savings account; telemedicine; life and disability insurance; legal insurance; and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well‑being, and we develop our talent through programs and activities to support career growth and professional development. Flexible work schedules, a 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours are also included.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.