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…