Director, Corporate Development

Wonder•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly strategic and results-driven Director, Corporate Development to help define and execute the company’s growth agenda. In this role, you will serve as a key leader within the Finance organization and a trusted advisor to executive leadership, owning the development and execution of the company’s corporate development strategy across mergers & acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and capital markets initiatives. You will play a central role in shaping enterprise-wide strategy, setting the pipeline and prioritization of strategic opportunities, and leading transactions from origination through execution and value realization. This position requires a combination of strategic vision, financial expertise, and organizational leadership, with the ability to influence CEO- and Board-level decision-making and drive measurable impact across the business.

Requirements

10–15+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or strategy consulting, with significant experience leading complex transactions and strategic initiatives
Proven track record of owning and executing M&A transactions end-to-end, including sourcing, structuring, negotiation, and integration
Demonstrated experience shaping corporate strategy and influencing senior executive and Board-level decision-making
Deep expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and capital allocation
Strong leadership experience, including managing and developing high-performing teams
Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization
Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity
High degree of ownership, strategic thinking, and results orientation

Nice To Haves

MBA or other relevant advanced degree
Experience in a high-growth, pre-IPO, or recently public environment, preferably in the restaurant or consumer/marketplace industry
Experience leading integration and long-term value creation efforts across a portfolio of investments
Familiarity with capital markets transactions

Responsibilities

Help define and drive the company’s corporate development strategy, including M&A priorities, partnership strategy, and capital allocation framework
Own the pipeline of strategic opportunities, including sourcing, prioritization, and alignment with long-term business objectives
Partner with executive leadership to shape enterprise strategy and evaluate trade-offs across growth initiatives
Lead market landscape assessments, competitive intelligence, and industry analysis to inform strategic direction
Oversee development of long-range financial and strategic models to guide investment decisions and capital deployment
Lead and oversee the full M&A lifecycle, from sourcing and evaluation through negotiation, execution, and integration
Set investment theses, valuation frameworks, and decision criteria for transactions
Act as a senior advisor in deal structuring and negotiations, supporting executive leadership in high-stakes decision-making
Oversee cross-functional due diligence, ensuring rigorous evaluation of risks, synergies, and strategic fit
Manage external advisors and counterparties throughout the transaction process
Oversee development of complex financial models and analyses to evaluate strategic opportunities and inform capital allocation
Synthesize insights into clear, compelling narratives for executive leadership and the Board
Lead preparation of Board-level materials and investment committee presentations
Lead cross-functional initiatives across Finance, Legal, Product, and Operations to execute on strategic priorities
Drive alignment at the executive level, ensuring efficient decision-making across competing priorities
Lead and develop junior team members, establishing best practices across corporate development and strategic finance
Build scalable processes, tools, and frameworks to support a growing corporate development function
Own post-transaction value creation strategy, including integration oversight and synergy realization
Establish and monitor frameworks to track performance of investments against strategic and financial objectives
Partner with business leaders to ensure accountability for delivering expected returns and strategic outcomes
Proactively identify risks and opportunities across the portfolio, adjusting strategy as needed