Director, Corporate Development & Special Projects

Front Door Defense; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

VAST Data is transforming AI data infrastructure and seeks a Director of Corporate Development & Special Projects to build and lead a new Corporate Development function. You will drive strategic growth through investments, M&A, and special projects, partnering with the executive team to identify and execute opportunities that expand the platform and market leadership.

The ideal candidate has a track record in strategic deal execution within high-growth tech, strong modeling skills, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in quantitative field; MBA preferred though not required.
• 8+ years of experience in Corporate Development, Investment Banking, or VC/PE with tech M&A focus.
• Exceptional modeling skills; familiarity with AI tools, Excel and Google Workspace; Tableau, SFDC and NetSuite a plus.
• Outstanding communications skills with executives, investors and senior audiences; storytelling with data.
• Highly driven with ownership mindset; pragmatic and willing to roll up sleeves.

Responsibilities

• Build and scale VAST's Corporate Development function from the ground up, establishing deal sourcing/execution processes.
• Proactively source, evaluate, and execute strategic investments and M&A opportunities aligned with long-term vision.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform corporate strategy and product/tech knowledge.
• Manage end-to-end deal process: diligence, financial modeling, negotiation, integration planning.
• Maintain relationships with tech ecosystem, VCs, investment bankers, and potential targets.
• Lead and conduct Special Projects aligned with strategic priorities; cross-functional and sensitive.
• Perform benchmarking on metrics, practices vs peers to inform strategy and positioning.
• Support Investor Relations with narrative crafting, materials, and communications.
• Develop close working relationships across the company.

Skills

Strategic deal execution

Financial modeling

Market research

Stakeholder communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative field

MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

Google Workspace

Tableau

SFDC

NetSuite

Job description

Director, Corporate Development & Special Projects - Remote Eligible

Build and lead VAST’s corporate development program, executing investments and M&A strategies

Location: New York, New York

About The Role

Director Of Corporate Development & Special Projects

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.

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 include:

• 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 include:

• 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'