Director, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions

Director, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions

At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), we believe that our strengths are built on our most important resource - our people. Join EBAD and you'll be a part of a team who creates cutting edge technology that will blast us into the future. No other company can match the innovative energetic solutions that we provide. At EBAD you will actively contribute to successful missions putting men, women and satellites into space, and protecting our armed service men and women around the world.

If this is the culture and work environment you are seeking, then EBAD is the place for you!

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.

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.

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.

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