Director, Strategy and M&A

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense; Simsbury (CT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense seeks a Director of Strategy and M&A to lead strategic planning and M&A activities at this $800M company. This pivotal role involves working with senior leadership to shape enterprise strategy, strengthen the product portfolio, and drive growth.

Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor's degree plus an MBA preferred, with over 10 years in M&A or related fields. The company offers a flexible and competitive compensation package to attract top talent.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in M&A, corporate strategy, investment banking, FP&A, or strategic consulting.
• Proven success leading end-to-end M&A transactions, including due diligence, valuation, negotiations, and integration.
• Experience driving strategy within complex engineering, manufacturing, or aerospace & defense environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and end-to-end M&A activity.
• Partner with senior leadership in shaping enterprise strategy.
• Strengthen product portfolio and accelerate growth.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

M&A Expertise

Financial Acumen

Collaborative Influence

Executive Presence & Communication

Continuous Improvement Mindset (Kaizen)

Results Orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field; MBA preferred

Job description

Director of Strategy and M&A

Lead strategic planning and end-to-end M&A activity, from identifying growth opportunities through diligence, deal execution, and integration. Partner with senior leadership in shaping enterprise strategy, strengthening the product portfolio, and accelerating organic and inorganic growth at a rapidly growing $800M aerospace and defense company.

Core Competencies for Success

• Strategic Thinking: Able to synthesize complex inputs, market trends, customer needs, and internal capabilities into clear strategies that align with long-term goals.
• M&A Expertise: Proven success leading all phases of acquisitions including sourcing, due diligence, valuation, negotiations, deal structuring, and post-close integration.
• Financial Acumen: Strong ability to build and interpret financial models, conduct valuations, and assess investment opportunities with discipline and clarity.
• Collaborative Influence: Builds trust across executive leadership and cross-functional teams, driving alignment without direct authority.
• Executive Presence & Communication: Confidently represents strategy and deal rationale to senior leaders, the board, and external partners.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset (Kaizen): Brings structure, discipline, and a drive to improve strategic processes and decision-making frameworks.
• Results Orientation: Operates with urgency, sets clear objectives, and consistently delivers measurable outcomes.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in M&A, corporate strategy, investment banking, FP&A, or strategic consulting.
• Proven success leading end-to-end M&A transactions, including due diligence, valuation, negotiations, and integration.
• Experience driving strategy within complex engineering, manufacturing, or aerospace & defense environments preferred.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and portfolio strategy capabilities with the ability to translate insights into actionable growth opportunities.
• Executive-level communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience in Lean, Kaizen, EBOS, or related operational excellence practices.

A Defining Leadership Opportunity

• Legacy: Join a privately held, 188-year-old company that takes a long-term approach, free from the short-term pressures of quarterly-driven reporting.
• Impact: Shape enterprise-wide strategy and lead M&A execution that will directly determine the company’s future growth and success.
• Partnership: Work directly with the General Manager, Business Unit President, and senior leadership team in a highly visible and influential role.
• Culture of Excellence: Thrive in an entrepreneurial environment that values people, integrity, and mission-driven excellence, with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Benefits & Compensation

Competitive compensation package aligned with skills and experience, with flexibility to reward top talent and extraordinary qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ensign‑Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.