Corporate Development Director

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Job Description: We are seeking a seasoned Corporate Development leader to both source and lead the execution of strategic initiatives, including partnerships, investments, and M&A. This individual will operate as a thought partner to executives, shaping the company’s long-term growth strategy at the intersection of defense, autonomy, and AI. The ideal candidate brings deep experience across corporate development, private equity, investment banking, or consulting, combined with strong domain fluency in defense and/or advanced technology. This role requires exceptional judgment, hands-on-deal leadership, initiative, and the ability to operate autonomously in complex, high-stakes environments. What you’ll do: Strategic Partnerships & Growth Initiatives Originate, evaluate, and lead complex, high-value strategic partnerships that accelerate Shield AI’s market position and capabilities. Structure and negotiate sophisticated commercial agreements, including joint ventures, technology partnerships, and strategic alliances. Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key industry players, government stakeholders, and ecosystem partners. Identify non-obvious partnership opportunities that unlock long-term strategic advantage. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Investments Lead end-to-end M&A execution, including sourcing, evaluation, deal structuring, negotiation, and integration planning. Own advanced financial modeling, valuation, and scenario analysis to inform investment decisions. Own internal and external transaction presentation materials and collateral. Coordinate rigorous diligence processes across financial, operational, technical, and regulatory dimensions. Strategic Leadership & Executive Partnership Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team on corporate strategy, capital allocation, and inorganic growth opportunities. Translate ambiguous strategic questions into structured analyses and actionable recommendations. Lead cross-functional initiatives involving finance, legal, product, engineering, and operations to execute complex transactions. Influence senior stakeholders and align diverse teams around high-impact decisions. Market Intelligence & Strategic Planning Develop deep insights into defense, autonomy, and AI markets, including competitive dynamics, emerging technologies, and regulatory trends. Proactively identify strategic risks and opportunities, shaping Shield AI’s long-term positioning. Deliver clear, data-driven recommendations to executives and board-level stakeholders. Contribute meaningfully to corporate strategy development and long-range planning. Required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, JD, or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred 12+ years of experience in corporate development, private equity, investment banking, strategy consulting, or related fields. Proven track record of deal captaining complex transactions (M&A, partnerships, or investments) end-to-end. Strong expertise in valuation, financial modeling, and transaction structuring. Experience operating in defense, aerospace, or advanced technology sectors (AI, autonomy, robotics, or software) strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and operate effectively in high-stakes, ambiguous environments. Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex analyses into clear, compelling narratives. Highly self-directed, with a bias for ownership and delivering results in fast-paced, high-growth settings. In-house corporate deal experience strongly preferred Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment) Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information. Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. #J-18808-Ljbffr