Director of Corporate Development

Company Overview

Upchurch is a rapidly growing , full-service building engineering company providing mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services across the southeastern United States. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Horn Lake, MS, Upchurch has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions , establishing a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and service excellence. We offer end-to-end solutions—from design and installation to ongoing maintenance and emergency support— helping clients maximize building performance, energy efficiency, and equipment lifespan .

Founded in 1970, Upchurch is one of the largest and most capable MEP full-service building solutions providers in the Southeast United States. Although focused on the Southeast, Upchurch is able to serve customers nationally across the lifecycle of their buildings. Upchurch has offices across the Southeast and serves a diversified portfolio of blue-chip customers in the data center, hospitality, healthcare, industrial, education, and commercial end markets.

In 2024, Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP and Broadwing Capital Management LLC made a strategic investment in Upchurch to support the company’s vision of building the premier MEP building solutions platform in the Southeastern U.S. With a people-first culture and a purposeful strategic plan focused on operational excellence, strategic acquisitions, and greenfield expansions, Upchurch is executing an ambitious growth strategy focused on long-term value creation.

Position Summary

Upchurch is seeking a highly strategic, execution-oriented Director / Vice President of Corporate Development to lead the company’s inorganic and strategic growth initiatives. Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering closely with executive leadership and our financial sponsors, this individual will play a critical role in shaping and executing Upchurch’s long-term expansion strategy.

This role combines elements of investment banking, private equity, operational leadership, and strategic planning. The ideal candidate will have deep experience leading lower-middle-market M&A transactions, driving post-acquisition value creation initiatives, and planning and leading organic growth initiatives and greenfield expansions throughout our Southeast geographic footprint.

The Director/VP of Corporate Development will oversee four core functions:

1. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) in partnership with our sponsors

2. Post acquisition value creation initiatives

3. Greenfield expansion initiatives

4. Select strategic growth initiatives

This is a highly strategic role that will work closely with the executive team, board, and sponsor M&A teams. The position offers the opportunity to help build one of the most capable and valuable MEP full service lifecycle building solution companies in the country.

Key Responsibilities

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Lead the sourcing, evaluation, structuring, negotiation, and execution of strategic add-on acquisitions across target markets.

• Build and maintain relationships with founders, owners, intermediaries, investment bankers, and industry stakeholders.

• Conduct financial modeling, valuation analysis, and investment return assessments.

• Coordinate and manage all phases of due diligence, including financial, operational, legal, HR, IT, and commercial workstreams.

• Prepare investment memoranda, executive presentations, and board-level materials for internal and sponsor review.

• Support transaction financing processes and collaborate with lenders, advisors, and private equity sponsors.

• Lead post-acquisition value creation initiatives as part of the integration process and in partnership with Line of Business leadership.

Greenfield Expansion

• Identify and evaluate attractive expansion markets across the Southeast United States.

• Lead cross-functional teams in launching greenfield operations, including market assessment, financial planning, talent strategy, and operational execution.

• Develop business cases and go-to-market strategies for new building solution locations and capabilities.

• Partner with operations leadership to ensure successful market entry and scalable growth.

Strategic Growth Initiatives

• Partner with executive leadership on long-term strategic planning and enterprise growth initiatives.

• Analyze industry trends, competitive dynamics, and market opportunities to inform strategic decision-making.

• Lead special projects focused on operational scalability, geographic expansion, and service diversification.

• Drive data-driven decision-making through financial and operational analysis.

• Support investor relations, board communications, and strategic reporting as needed.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, management consulting, or a related strategic finance role.

• Demonstrated track record of successfully executing lower-middle-market M&A transactions from sourcing through close and integration.

• Experience within industrial services, construction, mechanical services, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or broader skilled trades industries strongly preferred.

• Strong financial acumen with expertise in financial modeling, valuation, transaction structuring, and operational performance analysis.

• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects in fast-paced environments.

• Strong executive communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

• High emotional intelligence and relationship-building capabilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field required.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

• Experience working within a private equity-backed environment.

• Understanding of construction accounting and project-based operational metrics.

• Experience leading post-merger integrations and organizational change initiatives.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong business judgment

• Highly analytical and detail-oriented

• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong execution capabilities

• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without authority

• Exceptional project management and organizational skills

• Ability to thrive in a high-growth, fast-moving environment

• Strong integrity, professionalism, and accountability

Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid time off and holiday pay.

• Opportunities for professional development and certification assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Upchurch Companies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.