Shield AI is building the world's best AI pilots. As a rapidly growing defense technology company, we’re seeking a highly motivated and independent corporate development professional to join our team. Reporting to the Head of Corporate Development, this position will play a critical role in driving Shield AI’s growth through strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and business-to-business deal structuring. The ideal candidate is a highly independent “athlete” who is comfortable taking ownership of projects and driving them to successful outcomes.
The candidate will bring some combination of expertise in the defense and/or technology sectors, coupled with a background in corporate development, private equity, legal, banking, or strategy consulting. We are looking for an independent, versatile, results-oriented professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and works seamlessly across teams to achieve impactful outcomes.
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What you'll do:
- Strategic partnerships:
- Identify, evaluate, negotiate and structure complex business-to-business deals and partnership opportunities.
- Help foster and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders and industry leaders.
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A):
- Lead valuation analyses, financial modeling, and comprehensive due diligence for acquisition targets.
- Manage end-to-end M&A processes, including deal sourcing, negotiation, and post-transaction integration.
- Collaborate with internal teams to align transactions with Shield AI’s strategic objectives.
- Cross-functional Leadership and Collaboration:
- Work closely with finance, legal, product, engineering, and operations teams to support corporate development initiatives.
- Provide thoughtful input as a trusted advisor to Shield AI’s executive team on growth strategies.
- Market insights and Strategic Planning:
- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities in the defense and technology sectors.
- Present actionable insights and recommendations to inform corporate development efforts.
- Assist other corporate executives on strategic initiatives.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, JD, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
- 6–10+ years of relevant experience in corporate development, private equity, investment banking, strategy consulting, or legal fields.
- Strong knowledge of the defense industry and cutting-edge software and AI technologies is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in valuation, transaction processing, and due diligence.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with a talent for influencing and building relationships across teams. Ability to clearly articulate, present, and document analysis and insights.
- Self-driven and adaptable, with a proven ability to excel in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
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$170,000 - $270,000 a year
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