Director- Corporate Development USA

First Solar Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

First Solar Inc. is seeking a Director of Corporate Development in Phoenix, Arizona. This pivotal role requires expertise in M&A transaction management and strategic market analysis. The successful candidate will lead the corporate development function, guiding First Solar’s inorganic growth strategy. An MBA and 8–15 years of relevant experience in M&A, private equity, or corporate development are preferred. Strong communication skills with stakeholders at all levels are essential for success in this position, which reports to the EVP of Corporate Affairs and involves travel of 30–40%.

Qualifications

• 8–15+ years of relevant experience in M&A or corporate development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead M&A transactions from origination to close.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage the corporate development function at First Solar.
• Develop M&A processes and governance frameworks.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team.

Skills

M&A transaction management

Strategic market analysis

Financial modeling

Organizational integration

Executive communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, engineering

MBA or equivalent advanced degree

Job description

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions

• The Director of Corporate Development is responsible for building, executing and managing First Solar’s corporate development function, serving as a critical architect of the company’s inorganic growth engine that complements our organic expansion. Reporting directly to the EVP of Corporate Affairs, this role is instrumental in translating First Solar’s long‑term strategic objectives into actionable M&A and investment frameworks, building institutional capability in corporate development, and serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
• The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in opportunity identification, M&A transaction management, strategic market analysis, and organizational integration — combined with executive presence and communication skills to influence senior leadership and drive alignment across a complex, global organization.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, engineering, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 8–15+ years of relevant experience, with a significant portion in M&A investment banking, corporate development, private equity, or management consulting.
• Demonstrated track record of leading or managing complex M&A transactions from origination through close, including deal structuring, financing and due diligence, ideally within technology industries/markets.
• Deep expertise in opportunity identification, financial modeling, valuation methodologies (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions), and deal economics.
• Strong command of strategic market analysis, competitive intelligence, and investment thesis development.
• Prior experience building or significantly maturing a corporate development function, including process design, governance frameworks, and playbook development.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with C‑suite and board‑level stakeholders — in both written and verbal formats — including high‑stakes investment presentations.
• Experience advising on organizational design and post‑merger integration strategy.
• Strong planning, project management, and cross‑functional coordination skills.
• Self‑directed and capable of managing multiple workstreams simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
• Global mindset with sensitivity to cross‑border deal dynamics and international regulatory considerations.
• Leads through credibility and expertise; earns trust across functions; collaborates with and builds agreement among senior stakeholders.
• Brings a genuine drive to understand new industries, technologies and business models.
• Operates effectively in situations where strategy remains dynamic, data is incomplete and organizational priorities respond to changing environments.
• Process Standardization, Governance & Roles
  • Design and implement the (1) Market Mapping/Screening and (2) Company Screening/Analysis; (3) Diligence; (4) Deal Room phase‑gated operating models for the Corporate Development function, establishing the standardized end‑to‑end M&A processes required to support First Solar’s M&A strategy as set by the ELT.
  • Define the functional architecture, team structures, decision authorities, and resource requirements for each phase, ensuring alignment with corporate growth ambitions and capital deployment priorities.
  • Develop transition plans, milestones, and success metrics to evolve the function from current maturity phase (foundational build) to matured phase (scaled, repeatable capability).
  • Design and implement a governance framework for investment decisions, including stage‑gate approvals, committee structures, escalation protocols, and documentation standards — spanning opportunity identification and initial screening through due diligence, deal structuring, and close.
  • Define and communicate clear roles and responsibilities across Corporate Development, Finance, Legal, Operations, and business unit stakeholders throughout the M&A lifecycle.
  • Drive continuous improvement of process maturity, incorporating lessons learned from completed transactions.
• Strategic Investment Playbook
  • Build, own, and maintain a comprehensive Strategic Investment Playbook that codifies First Solar’s investment thesis, target criteria, deal archetypes, valuation frameworks, and integration principles.
  • Align the Playbook with ELT‑approved corporate strategy and ensure it is actionable for both deal teams and business leadership.
  • Develop sector‑specific acquisition frameworks for priority growth areas including manufacturing, technology, downstream, and international markets.
  • Build and maintain a dynamic, proprietary opportunity pipeline, tracking market developments, competitive activity, and potential targets that fit the strategic profile, including white‑space mapping.
• Organizational Design Advisory for Integration Readiness
  • Advise the ELT and functional leaders on organizational design requirements necessary to successfully integrate inorganic acquisitions and investments.
  • Partner with HR, operations, and business unit leaders to assess integration readiness, identify talent gaps, and define operating model changes required post‑close.
  • Develop integration playbooks and frameworks that address cultural alignment, reporting structures, systems integration, and Day 1 / Day 100 planning.
  • Serve as an internal expert on integration best practices, drawing from external benchmarking and prior transaction experience.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership & ELT Engagement
  • Act as a credible, trusted advisor to the EVP of Corporate Affairs and the broader ELT on all matters related to corporate development strategy, transaction activity, and inorganic growth priorities.
  • Lead cross‑functional working groups across Finance, Legal, Strategy, Operations, and Technology to coordinate transaction execution and integration activities.
  • Prepare and present high‑quality board‑level and ELT‑level materials including investment memos, strategic analysis, and market intelligence briefings.
  • Build and maintain relationships with investment banks, advisors, target company management teams, and other external stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

• This position reports to the EVP, Corporate Affairs.
• This position may have direct reports depending on organizational phase.

Travel

30% - 40%

U.S. Physical Requirements

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face‑to‑face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.