Director, Corporate Development & Special Projects

Drive Capital; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

VAST Data is seeking a proactive Director of Corporate Development & Special Projects in New York to build and lead a new function focused on strategic growth through investments, M&A, and cross-functional initiatives.

You will partner with the executive team to source opportunities, run diligence, model financials, and manage deals end-to-end while expanding relationships with the broader tech ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in quantitative field; MBA preferred though not required.
• 8+ years in Corporate Development, Investment Banking, or VC/PE with focus on tech M&A.
• Strong financial modeling skills and experience with fast-growing tech markets; proficient in Excel, Google Workspace; Tableau, SFDC, NetSuite a plus.
• Excellent communications for executives, investors, and business audiences; strong data storytelling.
• Ownership minded, pragmatic, and willing to roll up sleeves.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a new Corporate Development function.
• Source, evaluate, and execute strategic investments and M&A.
• Perform market research and competitive analysis to inform strategy.
• Manage end-to-end deal process including diligence and modeling.
• Maintain relationships with VC, investment bankers, and targets.
• Lead Special Projects aligned with strategic priorities.
• Benchmark financial metrics against peers to inform planning.
• Support Investor Relations with narrative materials and conference prep.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive communications

Ownership mindset

Storytelling with data

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in quantitative field

MBA preferred though not required

Tools

Excel

Google Workspace

Tableau

SFDC

NetSuite

Job description

Director, Corporate Development & Special Projects

• Finance
• New York
• ID: VDT27005

Description

About Us:

VAST Data is revolutionizing the AI data infrastructure landscape by enabling organizations to unlock radical intelligence and utility through innovative, simple, and transparent solutions. We’re on a mission to build the only data platform that can match the ambition of AI-era companies, and we need exceptional talent to achieve our vision.

Summary:

We are seeking a proactive and strategic Director of Corporate Development & Special Projects to build and lead a new Corporate Development function at VAST. You will be responsible for driving VAST’s strategic growth through investments, M&A and special projects. This role serves as a key partner to the executive team in identifying and executing opportunities that expand our platform and market leadership. The ideal candidate brings a builder’s mindset, exceptional business judgment, and a proven track record in strategic deal execution within the high-growth tech ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and scale VAST’s Corporate Development function from the ground up, establishing processes for deal sourcing and execution
• Proactively source, evaluate, and execute strategic investments and M&A opportunities that align with VAST’s long-term vision
• Conduct deep market research and competitive analysis to inform corporate strategy and analyze opportunities, including developing and maintaining a deep understanding of relevant products, technologies and markets
• Manage the end-to-end deal process, including diligence, financial modeling, negotiation, and integration planning
• Maintain and expand strong relationships with the broader tech ecosystem, including VCs, investment bankers, and potential targets
• Lead and conduct Special Projects, based on the strategic priorities of VAST. These will be defined on an ongoing basis and will typically be projects that are strategic, cross-functional, complex and / or competitively sensitive
• Conduct and maintain financial benchmarking (key metrics, performance and practices vs peers / industry) on an ongoing basis to inform strategy, planning and positioning
• Support Investor Relations activities including narrative crafting, materials development, ongoing investor communications, conference prep and any raise activities
• Develop and maintain close working relationships across the company

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in quantitative field. MBA preferred though not required
• 8+ years of experience in Corporate Development, Investment Banking, or VC/PE, with a significant focus on tech M&A and strategic growth
• Exceptional modeling skills, and experience with complex businesses in high growth, highly dynamic markets. Adept with relevant tools including AI tools, Excel and Google Workspace. Tableau, SFDC and NetSuite familiarity a plus
• Outstanding communications skills, with experience preparing, presenting and communicating with executives, investors and sophisticated business audiences. Strong ‘storytelling with data’ skills are key
• Highly driven with a strong ownership mentality and deep intellectual curiosity. Pragmatic and willing to ‘roll up sleeves’