Senior Director, Strategy and Corporate Development

CSL; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

CSL Vifor is seeking a Senior Director of Strategy and Corporate Development to drive the company’s long-term strategic agenda and inorganic growth. You will lead enterprise-wide initiatives, evaluate M&A opportunities, and coordinate cross-functional teams to execute complex transactions with executive leadership support.

The role requires partnering with ELT, Business Units, and external advisors to translate corporate ambition into actionable strategies and value creation.

Qualifications

• MSC/PhD and MBA level.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in corporate strategy, M&A, investment banking, private equity, or top-tier management consulting.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide strategic projects and support executive decision-making.
• Manage and execute corporate development initiatives, including M&A and partnerships, with due diligence and integration planning.
• Develop advanced analytics and scenario modelling to support strategic recommendations.
• Represent the company at industry events and conferences.
• Coach and develop high-performing teams across geographies and functions.
• Collaborate with ELT, Business Units, R&D, and external advisors to drive growth and value creation.

Skills

Financial modelling

Executive communication

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional leadership

Deal execution

Influencing

Global mindset

Team coaching

Education

MSC / PhD and MBA level

Job description

Senior Director, Strategy and Corporate Development

Reporting to the VP Strategy and Corporate Development, this position plays a lead role in developing and evolving the CSL’s enterprise strategy, leading Enterprise-wide, often global initiatives, coordinating and leading cross functional teams, identifying opportunities, evaluating options and making recommendations back to the executive management team and to the Board. The position is also focused on identifying as well as executing end-to-end corporate development / M&A transactions.

The Senior Director, Strategy and Corporate Development is a senior leader responsible for shaping the company’s long-term strategic agenda, driving inorganic growth opportunities, and ensuring disciplined execution of high-impact initiatives. This role partners closely with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Business Units, R&D, and enabling functions to translate corporate ambition into actionable strategies and transactions. The Senior Director will lead strategic projects, evaluate and execute M&A opportunities, and play a key role in advancing enterprise value creation.

This is a highly visible role internally, with responsibilities that contribute directly to scaling the company to the next phase of growth. This person will also be required to represent the company externally at conferences and events.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Project

• Responsible for leading key enterprise-wide strategic projects and support decision making by executive management team and develop plans to achieve the identified outcome.
• Analyse market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments to inform strategy and corporate development decisions.
• Develop and apply advanced analytics and scenario modelling to support strategic recommendations.
• Prepare and present insights, reports, and recommendations to the Head of Strategy and Corporate Development and executive leadership.

Corporate Development

• Manage and execute corporate development initiatives, including M&A, partnerships and JV evaluations, and strategic investments, under the direction of the Head of Strategy and Corporate Development
• Provide structured problem-solving and analytical rigor to support executive decision-making.
• Supports M&A activities bringing strategic context to consideration of large M&A or transformational targets
• Manage Corporate Development projects and external resources in the design, development, and delivery of projects of varying complexity
• Conduct due diligence, financial modelling, and integration planning for transactions.
• Build business cases and financial models, clearly articulating risks, value drivers, and strategic fit.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external advisors to ensure successful deal execution and post-merger integration.
• Develop and maintain relationships with bankers, investors, advisors, and potential targets.
• Prepare and deliver board-level and executive management-level materials articulating insights, scenarios, and recommendations.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the company at industry events and forums as required.
• Influence and indirectly lead senior teams, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Act as a trusted thought partner to senior executives, shaping decisions on corporate priorities and growth investments.
• Manage, coach, and develop high-performing team members.
• Foster collaboration across geographies, functions, and external stakeholders.
• Champion a culture of fact-based decision-making, intellectual curiosity, and execution excellence.

Education and Experience

Education

MSC / PhD and MBA level

Experience

• 12+ years of relevant experience in corporate strategy, M&A, investment banking, private equity, or top-tier management consulting (healthcare/biopharma experience strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated track record of leading complex strategic initiatives and executing M&A transactions (buy-side, sell-side, JVs, partnerships).

Competencies

• Strong financial acumen with expertise in valuation, deal structuring, and investment cases.
• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent executive communication and presentation capabilities.
• Proven leadership experience in managing teams and influencing at senior levels.
• Influencing skills, strong focus on value creation and reliability
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining the ability to juggle multiple competing priorities and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to simplify complexity.
• High integrity and sound judgment.
• Results-oriented with strong execution discipline.
• Collaborative and people-focused leader.
• Global mindset with cross-cultural experience.

Travel

• Approximately 20% for Domestic and International Travel