Director, Corporate Development M&A

Lindblad Expeditions • New York, NY

1d • $150,000 - $175,000

About The Position

The Director, Corporate Development & M&A will partner with the SVP of Corporate Development & Strategy to identify, evaluate, negotiate, and execute acquisitions and strategic initiatives that strengthen Lindblad Expeditions' portfolio of experiential travel businesses. This role leads the end-to-end M&A process, develops acquisition strategy and pipeline, manages relationships with target companies and advisors, and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on strategic investment opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in Corporate Development, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Strategy Consulting, or a related M&A environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading acquisitions from sourcing through closing, including valuation, due diligence, transaction structuring, and integration planning.
• Advanced expertise in financial modeling, valuation methodologies, investment analysis, and capital allocation.
• Proven experience managing cross-functional transaction teams and coordinating external advisors including investment bankers, legal counsel, tax, and accounting firms.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to identify acquisition opportunities aligned to long-term business objectives.
• Experience developing investment recommendations and presenting to executive leadership, investment committees, or Boards of Directors.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.

Nice To Haves

• MBA strongly preferred.
• Experience leading Corporate Development within the travel, cruise, hospitality, leisure, or consumer services industries.
• Experience developing acquisition strategy and generating proprietary deal flow.
• Experience leading post-merger integration and synergy realization initiatives.
• Existing network of investment bankers, private equity firms, founders, and strategic advisors.
• Experience evaluating adjacent markets, vertical integration opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
• MBA, CFA, CPA, or equivalent advanced financial credential.

Responsibilities

• Lead acquisitions from sourcing through closing, including valuation, financial analysis, due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiation support, and integration planning.
• Direct cross-functional diligence teams while managing external advisors including investment bankers, legal counsel, tax, and accounting firms.
• Develop sophisticated financial models and investment analyses to support strategic decision making.
• Ensure transactions remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Own the acquisition pipeline by identifying strategic opportunities across expedition travel and adjacent markets.
• Develop and maintain relationships with target company executives, owners, investors, bankers, and industry partners to generate proprietary deal flow.
• Continuously evaluate market trends, competitive dynamics, and strategic adjacencies.
• Lead development of investment memos, Board presentations, Executive Leadership Team materials, and strategic recommendations.
• Present investment opportunities, financial analyses, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Operations, Marine, Hotel, Sales, Marketing, and other business leaders throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Lead post-acquisition integration planning, synergy realization, and value capture initiatives.

Benefits

• Travel benefits for employees and their family
• Voyage of Discovery trips for employees to travel as guests
• Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to be used for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit
• 7-8 Paid Holidays
• 2-3 Floating Holiday Options (pro-rated per start date)
• Up to 15 days of vacation (pro-rated per anniversary year)
• Parental Leave
• Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance
• Pet Insurance discount

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director