Director, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions

This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions.

Job Description

Location: Simsbury, CT

Reports to: General Manager

Industry: Aerospace & Defense

Experience Level: Director

Lead Strategy. Drive Growth. Shape the Future

At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD), we've been innovating for nearly 200 years, delivering mission-critical technologies that protect lives and advance exploration. As we prepare to double in size over the next 3-5 years, we're investing in our people and culture to support this transformation.

We're seeking a dynamic Director of Strategy and M&A who will partner with the General Manager, President and leadership team to drive enterprise-wide strategic planning, shape our product portfolio, and lead all aspects of mergers and acquisitions. This is a high-impact role, directly influencing the future of a rapidly growing $800M aerospace and defense business with significant acquisition capacity.

The Opportunity:

EBAD's business provides critical systems that are vital to our national defense and the exploration of space. With rapid growth and a long-term mindset, EBAD is creating this newly established role to strengthen its strategic capabilities and accelerate both organic and inorganic growth.

The Director of Strategy and M&A will serve as a strategic advisor to the Business Unit President and senior leadership, driving disciplined strategy formulation and execution. This role leads the end-to-end M&A strategy, from identifying high-impact growth opportunities to structuring complex transactions and orchestrating seamless post-merger integration. Success in this position requires exceptional strategic ability, financial acumen, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence outcomes without direct authority.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic leader to shape the portfolio, build sustainable growth, and directly impact the trajectory of a rapidly growing company with strong investment capacity.

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.

The Candidate We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in M&A, FP&A, investment banking or strategic consulting.
• Proven experience driving corporate strategy in a complex engineering or manufacturing environment; aerospace & defense strongly preferred
• Demonstrated track record of leading successful M&A transactions end-to-end, including sourcing, due diligence, financial modeling, negotiations, and post-close integration
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills with the ability to develop actionable insights, evaluate portfolio opportunities, and guide investment decisions
• Deep understanding of portfolio strategy, including evaluation of product and market expansion opportunities.
• Highly collaborative, able to influence without direct authority across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills; credible with executive leadership, boards, and external partners.
• Skilled in continuous improvement, performance metrics, and problem-solving through EBOS, Lean, and Kaizen 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.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're a strategic M&A leader looking to make a meaningful impact, this is your moment to work with a legacy-rich aerospace and defense organization poised for its next chapter of growth and this role is at the center of it. As Director of Strategy and M&A, you'll shape the future of the business, lead transformative deals, and work directly with senior leadership to drive long-term value. If you're ready to elevate your career, we invite you to explore this opportunity and make your mark with us.

Compensation and Rewards

We recognize that world-class leaders deliver world-class impact, and we reward accordingly. This role offers a competitive executive package that includes:

Base Salary: $200k - $250k plus annual bonus

Executive Relocation: Comprehensive support for a seamless transition

Additional Enhancements: Potential sign-on incentives and tailored rewards based on experience

We offer a competitive compensation package aligned with skills & experience, with flexibility to reward top talent and extraordinary qualifications.

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