Director, Corporate Development M&A

Role Summary

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

M&A Strategy & Transaction Leadership

• 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.

Pipeline Development & Relationship Management

• 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.

Executive & Board Communications

• 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.

Strategic Partnership & Integration

• 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.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field. MBA strongly preferred.
• 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.

Preferred Experience

• 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.