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Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy

Milwaukee, WI (Chicago considered)

About the Company

Our client is a founder-built provider of mission-critical aircraft components and sustainment services to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries worldwide. Over two decades the company has become a trusted partner for military aftermarket needs, growing rapidly through OEM-authorized distribution, repair services, and modernization solutions for legacy aircraft platforms. It recently partnered with a leading private equity firm for the first time. The defense aftermarket is large, growing, and highly fragmented, and acquisitions are now central to the company’s plan to build the scaled sustainment platform of choice in the space.

The Opportunity

This is a newly created role reporting directly to the President and CEO. You will build the company’s in-house corporate development function from the ground up and lead acquisitions from sourcing through integration. Expect roughly one deal a quarter, which leaves real time for broader strategic initiatives. The founders know how to grow a business. They want a partner who has done deals before and can help them run a disciplined, repeatable acquisition program.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the company’s M&A strategy in partnership with the leadership team and the private equity sponsor
• Source acquisition targets, build relationships with business owners and intermediaries, and develop a pipeline aligned with the company’s strategic goals
• Represent the company to prospective sellers, many of them founder-owned businesses, and earn their trust
• Lead evaluation, valuation, and cross-functional due diligence, and work closely with legal, financial, and tax advisors
• Structure and negotiate transactions, and present recommendations to the board
• Own integration planning and drive synergy capture after close so acquisitions deliver on the investment thesis
• Lead strategic and operational initiatives outside of M&A, including market analysis, performance improvement, and cross-functional projects tied to the value creation plan

What We’re Looking For

• An early career in investment banking or private equity, ideally after a finance-focused undergraduate degree
• An MBA followed by management consulting, preferably with exposure to due diligence, post-merger integration, or PE value creation work
• Experience in a corporate development, strategy, or transformation role within a PE-backed company is strongly preferred, including familiarity with board and sponsor reporting
• Hands-on deal experience, ideally including sourcing and closing transactions with lower-middle-market targets
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and board-level presentation skills
• Defense, aerospace, or government aftermarket experience is preferred
• Comfort working with founders and building something new, with the judgment and presence to earn trust quickly
• Ability to work on-site in Milwaukee, or in Chicago with regular time in Milwaukee, and to travel as needed



Why This Role

You will be the first dedicated corporate development leader at a company where M&A is a top priority for the CEO. The role has direct CEO access, significant ownership over the function, and a clear path to broader leadership responsibility as the business grows.