Director, Strategy and M&A

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company•Simsbury, CT

About The Position

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. EBAD is seeking a Director of Strategy and M&A to partner with senior leadership in shaping enterprise strategy, strengthening the product portfolio, and accelerating organic and inorganic growth. This newly created, high-impact role will lead strategic planning and end-to-end M&A activity, from identifying growth opportunities through diligence, deal execution, and integration. The ideal leader will bring strong strategic thinking, financial acumen, and the ability to influence across the organization while helping guide the future of a rapidly growing $800M aerospace and defense business.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field; MBA preferred
10+ years of experience in M&A, corporate strategy, investment banking, FP&A, or strategic consulting
Proven success leading end-to-end M&A transactions, including due diligence, valuation, negotiations, and integration
Experience driving strategy within complex engineering, manufacturing, or aerospace & defense environments preferred
Strong financial modeling, analytical, and portfolio strategy capabilities with the ability to translate insights into actionable growth opportunities
Executive-level communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
Continuous improvement mindset with experience in Lean, Kaizen, EBOS, or related operational excellence practices

Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning and end-to-end M&A activity, from identifying growth opportunities through diligence, deal execution, and integration.
Partner with senior leadership in shaping enterprise strategy.
Strengthen the product portfolio.
Accelerate organic and inorganic growth.
Synthesize complex inputs, market trends, customer needs, and internal capabilities into clear strategies that align with long-term goals.
Lead all phases of acquisitions including sourcing, due diligence, valuation, negotiations, deal structuring, and post-close integration.
Build and interpret financial models, conduct valuations, and assess investment opportunities with discipline and clarity.
Build trust across executive leadership and cross-functional teams, driving alignment without direct authority.
Confidently represent strategy and deal rationale to senior leaders, the board, and external partners.
Bring structure, discipline, and a drive to improve strategic processes and decision-making frameworks.
Operate with urgency, set clear objectives, and consistently deliver measurable outcomes.