Manager - Business Development

AAM - American Axle & Manufacturing • Detroit, MI

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Manager – Corporate Business Development (M&A) is responsible for financial and strategic analyses, developing business cases, coordinating due diligence activities, supporting transaction execution, and assisting with post-merger integration planning for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and other corporate development activities. This role works closely with business units, finance, legal, operations, and external advisors to support the company's growth strategy and portfolio optimization objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in Corporate Development, M&A, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Transaction Advisory, or Corporate Finance.
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills, with strong proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, cross-cultural environment.

Nice To Haves

• MBA, CPA, CFA, or equivalent advanced qualification preferred.
• Experience in automotive, industrial manufacturing, or related sectors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops strategic business cases and investment theses to support corporate development initiatives, in partnership with business unit leaders.
• Conducts market research, competitive analysis, and target screening to identify and prioritize acquisition, divestiture, and partnership opportunities.
• Builds and presents financial models, valuation analyses (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions), synergy assessments, and investment return analyses to support transaction decisions.
• Collaborates closely with external advisors — investment bankers, consultants, legal counsel, accounting firms, and tax advisors.
• Leads and coordinates commercial, operational, financial, tax, and HR due diligence workstreams across internal teams and external advisors.
• Manages due diligence data rooms and timelines, ensuring timely identification of risks, issues, and value drivers.
• Develops post-merger integration plans in partnership with business unit and functional leaders.
• Tracks integration milestones, monitor synergy capture initiatives, and report progress against value creation targets.

What This Job Offers

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