Director, Corporate Development & Strategy

celanese; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Celanese is seeking a Director, Corporate Development & Strategy to lead M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. This high-visibility role requires expertise in financial modeling and deal execution, with a focus on complex transactions.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of relevant experience and a proven track record of closing deals independently, while also mentoring junior team members. Strong strategic leadership and stakeholder management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in M&A, corporate development, investment banking, or private equity.
• Proven ability to independently run full transaction processes.
• Experience in industrials, specialty chemicals, materials, or adjacent B2B sectors is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Own M&A, joint venture, and divestiture transactions end-to-end.
• Lead cross-functional deal teams without escalation on day-to-day decisions.
• Build complex financial models to evaluate deal economics.
• Mentor junior team members and model autonomous deal execution.

Skills

M&A expertise

Financial modeling

Executive presence

Strategic leadership

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or equivalent advanced degree

Job description

Celanese is seeking a Director, Corporate Development & Strategy to serve as a deal captain. This is a high-visibility, high-accountability role at the core of Celanese's inorganic growth agenda, built for a self-directed operator who can own complex transactions from origination to close without needing step-by-step direction.

You will not be handed a playbook. You will bring one. The right candidate has genuine M&A depth, strong financial instincts, and the organizational savvy to drive multiple workstreams simultaneously across Legal, Finance, Tax, Operations, and external advisors. You pick up the ball and run.

Responsibilities

Deal Execution & Transaction Management

• Own M&A, joint venture, strategic partnership, and divestiture transactions end-to-end from thesis development through due diligence, negotiation, and close
• Lead cross-functional deal teams as the single point of accountability for process, timeline, and deliverables — without requiring escalation on day-to-day decisions
• Structure complex transactions including term sheets, LOIs, and purchase agreements; manage data rooms and workstream interdependencies with autonomy and precision
• Anticipate deal risks proactively and develop mitigation strategies; manage external advisors including investment banks, legal counsel, and consultants with discipline and direction
• Maintain deal momentum across multiple concurrent transactions, knowing when to push and when to pause

Financial Analysis & Valuation

• Build and pressure-test complex financial models including DCF, accretion/dilution, and scenario analyses to evaluate deal economics
• Develop and defend business cases, investment committee materials, and board-level presentations with credibility and clarity
• Apply deep understanding of corporate finance to structure deals that maximize value and align with Celanese's capital allocation priorities
• Partner with Treasury and FP&A to evaluate financing structures, balance sheet implications, and integration financial plans

Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a credible, executive-level partner to internal senior leaders and external counterparties including C-suite executives, founders, and investment bankers
• Represent BSD in cross-functional leadership forums; communicate deal status, risks, and recommendations with authority
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of inorganic opportunities aligned to Celanese's portfolio and growth strategy
• Mentor junior team members and model the standard for what excellent, autonomous deal execution looks like

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred
• Experience: 10+ years in M&A, corporate development, investment banking, or private equity with a demonstrated track record of closing deals
• Deal ownership: Proven ability to run a full transaction process independently — you've been the one accountable for getting it done
• Finance fluency: Deep command of financial modeling, valuation methodologies, and transaction structuring
• Executive presence: Polished communicator who can hold a room with senior leaders and external counterparties alike
• Drive: High initiative, low ego. Thrives in ambiguity, moves with urgency, and doesn't wait to be told twice
• Industry: Experience in industrials, specialty chemicals, materials, or adjacent B2B sectors a strong plus