• Director, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions

    Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense (Simsbury, CT)


    This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions. Click here (https://www.eba-d.com/) to learn more.

    Job Description

    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.

     

    This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic leader to shape the portfolio, build sustainable growth, and directly impact the trajectory of a rapidly growing company with strong investment capacity.

    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.

    + Executive Presence & Communication: Confidently represents strategy and deal rationale to senior leaders, the board, and external partners.

    + Continuous Improvement Mindset (Kaizen): Brings structure, discipline, and a drive to improve strategic processes and decision-making frameworks.

    + Results Orientation: Operates with urgency, sets clear objectives, and consistently delivers measurable outcomes.

     

    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

    A Defining Leadership Opportunity:

    + Legacy: Join a privately held, 188-year-old company that takes a long-term approach, free from the short-term pressures of quarterly-driven reporting.

    + Impact: Shape enterprise-wide strategy and lead M&A execution that will directly determine the company’s future growth and success.

    + Partnership: Work directly with the General Manager, Business Unit President, and senior leadership team in a highly visible and influential role.

    + Culture of Excellence: Thrive in an entrepreneurial environment that values people, integrity, and mission-driven excellence, with a commitment to continuous improvement.

     

    Ready to Make a Difference?

     

    If you're a strategic M&A leader looking to make a meaningful impact, this is your moment to work with a legacy-rich aerospace and defense organization poised for its next chapter of growth and this role is at the center of it. As Director of Strategy and M&A, you'll shape the future of the business, lead transformative deals, and work directly with senior leadership to drive long-term value. If you're ready to elevate your career, we invite you to explore this opportunity and make your mark with us.

     

    Compensation and Rewards

     

    We recognize that world-class leaders deliver world-class impact, and we reward accordingly. This role offers a competitive executive package that includes:

     

    Base Salary: $200k – $250k plus annual bonus

     

    Executive Relocation: Comprehensive support for a seamless transition

     

    Additional Enhancements: Potential sign-on incentives and tailored rewards based on experience

     

    We offer a competitive compensation package aligned with skills & experience, with flexibility to reward top talent and extraordinary qualifications.

     

    Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.

     

    Ensign-Bickford Industries, (http://e-bind.com) (EBI), founded in 1836, is a privately-owned high technology conglomerate that participates in businesses that are relevant to the future of the world and have multigenerational growth prospects. As One EBI, we innovate in science and technology for the safety, health, and well-being of society, creating exceptional long-term value.

     

    Watch the video above to learn more about some of the incredible challenges we take on every day to deliver the best product for our customers, and ultimately the world.

     

    Ensign-Bickford Industries (EBI) is a global science and technology organization with unparalleled leadership positions in attractive industries and markets. We are EBI, positioned to take on some of the world's most complex technological and scientific challenges in diagnostics, pet food science, and aerospace and defense.

     

    Click here to learn about our Core Values (https://ensign-bickfordind.com/ebi-core-values/)

     

    We conduct business in a manner that reflects the highest human and ethical standards. With that commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships and a belief in the efficacy of genuine economic and social service, this cornerstone is the foundation of who we are as a company and our winning vision.

     

    AFB International (http://www.ensign-bickfordind.com/subsidiaries/afb-international/)

     

    + AFB is the leader in pet food flavor enhancers. Ensuring product performance for pet food manufacturers—and their customers—is our business.

     

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    Cawood (https://cawood.co.uk/)

     

    + Cawood is the UK’s leading scientific group, recognized for its technical capability and value-added service to customers in land-based industries.

    • Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (http://www.ensign-bickfordind.com/subsidiaries/ensign-bickford-aerospace-defense/)

    + EBAD is a global leader in precision energetic systems and other innovative explosives, non-explosive and electromechanical solutions for the defense and aerospace markets.

    • EnviroLogix (http://www.ensign-bickfordind.com/subsidiaries/envirologix-inc/)

    + EnviroLogix is an industry leader in the development and manufacturing of tests for the rapid detection of GMOs and mycotoxins throughout the worldwide food production chain.