Director - Corporate Development

Want to be part of one of the country’s fastest growing infrastructure businesses? The Vortex Companies, LLC delivers cutting edge trenchless technologies and turnkey services to make the worlds water cleaner and we’re growing every day! We think BIG about solving the world’s toughest challenges in failing water, sewer and industrial infrastructure. At Vortex, you will be surrounded with a culture that puts your safety first in all we do. If you like a fast‑paced environment, a team structure that provides support, training, and development, then apply today! The Director Corporate Development is responsible for executing Vortex’s acquisition strategy and end‑to‑end deal execution, including acquisition thesis development, diligence workstream ownership, valuation, structure, and supporting negotiations. This role advises the CEO, CFO, and CSO on strategic fit, portfolio‑level deal prioritization, capital deployment, and M&A pipeline health. The Director will build and maintain senior external relationships with third‑party diligence providers, bankers, private equity sponsors, executives, and target company owners; drive alignment across internal and external deal teams; and ensure a disciplined transition from diligence through post‑close integration handoff governance. Key Responsibilities Support the identification, sourcing, and evaluation of acquisition opportunities, including market landscapes, industry trends, competitive positioning, customer segments, value chain dynamics, and strategic white space analysis. Own the acquisition thesis for target opportunities, clearly articulating strategic fit, quantifying synergy potential, investment rationale, risks, and value creation opportunities for senior leadership and investment committee review. Manage M&A pipeline health by maintaining prioritization discipline, tracking active and prospective opportunities, and recommending pacing and resource allocation across the funnel. Support negotiations for LOIs, deal structure, key economics, and transaction terms in partnership with executive leadership, legal counsel, tax advisors, and external diligence providers. Own the entire diligence workstream process, including financial, operational, commercial, legal, tax, insurance, HR, IT, and integration‑related diligence; coordinate internal stakeholders and external advisors to identify and resolve key issues. Lead deal economics, valuation, business case development, and return analysis, including review of historical financial trends, growth drivers, quality of earnings, working capital considerations, and capital deployment alternatives. Advise the CEO, CFO, and CSO on strategic fit, acquisition priorities, deal quality, transaction risks, and recommended go/no‑go decisions. Prepare and deliver executive‑level presentations, one‑pagers, investment committee materials, board‑ready updates, and deal narratives that connect financial analysis to the strategic rationale. Oversee integration readiness and post‑close handoff governance by defining integration scope, communicating diligence findings, and ensuring a smooth transition to integration leaders and functional teams. Partner with business unit leaders and department heads to evaluate integration risks, synergy opportunities, organizational needs, accounting processes, operational readiness, and cross‑functional execution plans. Provide leadership, coaching, and performance guidance to corporate development team members; help improve deal quality, analytical rigor, execution discipline, and communication standards across the function. Manage post‑transaction partner and stakeholder relationships to support accountability for committed deliverables, synergy realization, and ongoing acquisition performance tracking. Maintain excellent process management across multiple live deals and strategic initiatives, balancing confidential information, tight deadlines, high transaction volume, and shifting business priorities. Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field; MBA, CPA, CFA, investment banking, private equity, transaction advisory, or corporate development experience preferred. 5+ years of relevant experience in corporate development, M&A, investment banking, private equity, transaction advisory, strategy, consulting, or a related finance role; experience leading transactions is strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to lead diligence workstreams, build investment cases, negotiate transaction terms, assess strategic fit, and communicate recommendations to executive leadership. Strong financial modeling, valuation, business case development, and acquisition analysis capabilities, including comfort with quality of earnings, working capital, synergy, and ROI considerations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare executive‑level presentations and influence senior stakeholders using clear, concise deal narratives. Advanced Microsoft Office skills required, especially Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility with business owners, executives, advisors, internal functional leaders, and post‑close partners. Excellent process management skills with the ability to manage multiple active transactions, confidential information, tight deadlines, and evolving priorities. Travel will be required given the hands‑on nature of the role. Work in‑person five (5) days a week. Vortex Companies, LLC and all of its subsidiaries, considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or sexual orientation. All applicants will be considered solely on the basis of their qualifications. #J-18808-Ljbffr