Job Description About the Position: The Strategy, Partnerships, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Manager is responsible for leading strategic growth initiatives across the General Dynamics Land Systems business portfolio. This role drives enterprise value through the identification, evaluation, negotiation, and execution of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and cooperative business arrangements.
The position serves as a key advisor to the Executive Leadership Team on market expansion, competitive positioning, and inorganic growth opportunities. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in M&A strategy and execution within the A&D sector, including defense systems, aerospace manufacturing, government contracting, emerging technologies, and industrial consolidation trends.
Responsibilities to Anticipate/Expect: Mergers & Acquisitions Leadership - Lead end-to-end M&A activities including target identification, strategic evaluation, valuation analysis, due diligence, negotiation support, transaction execution, and integration planning.
- Develop acquisition strategies aligned with corporate growth objectives, technology roadmaps, and market priorities.
- Conduct financial, operational, and strategic assessments of potential acquisition targets and partnership opportunities.
- Coordinate cross-functional due diligence teams including finance, legal, operations, HR, cybersecurity, contracts, and compliance.
- Support executive decision-making through development of investment theses, business cases, synergy analyses, and board-level presentations.
- Manage post-merger integration planning and synergy realization initiatives.
Strategy Development - Support GDLS-Enterprise and US Operations Division strategic planning processes.
- Analyze market trends, competitive dynamics, geopolitical developments, and emerging technologies within the A&D sector.
- Identify growth opportunities in adjacent markets, defense modernization programs, digital transformation, autonomy, AI, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain optimization.
- Develop long-range strategic growth plans and market-entry strategies.
- Provide recommendations regarding portfolio optimization, investments and divestitures, and capital allocation priorities.
Partnership & Cooperative Business Arrangements - Develop and manage strategic partnerships, teaming agreements, joint ventures, and cooperative business arrangements with domestic and international partners.
- Evaluate alliance structures to support government pursuits, technology development, manufacturing expansion, and international growth.
- Negotiate memoranda of understanding (MOUs), collaboration agreements, and strategic partnership frameworks.
- Maintain executive-level relationships with OEMs, suppliers, defense contractors, government agencies, and industry partners through Executive Steering Committees and similar meetings.
- Monitor partnership performance and alignment with strategic objectives.
Market & Competitive Intelligence - Monitor A&D market activity including competitor acquisitions, consolidations, defense budget trends, and emerging technology investments.
- Develop market intelligence assessments and strategic risk analyses.
- Support capture strategies for large-scale defense and aerospace opportunities through strategic relationship development.
Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Economics, or related field.
- Minimum 8-12 years of experience in corporate strategy, investment banking, management consulting, corporate development, or M&A within the Aerospace & Defense industry.
- Demonstrated expertise leading complex M&A transactions from origination through integration.
- Strong financial modeling, valuation, and strategic analysis capabilities.
- Experience negotiating strategic partnerships and cooperative business agreements.
- Knowledge of A&D market dynamics, government contracting environments, and defense acquisition processes.
- Excellent executive communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to travel and possess/be able to acquire and maintain a valid passport
- Active US Security Clearance at the SECRET level, or ability to obtain a SECRET clearance
Preferred Qualifications: - MBA or advanced business degree.
- Experience with defense primes, aerospace OEMs, or industrial manufacturing organizations.
- Familiarity with ITAR, export controls, CFIUS considerations, and government regulatory requirements related to transactions.
- Experience supporting private equity, venture investments, or technology commercialization initiatives.
- PMP, CFA, or related professional certifications preferred.
Core Competencies: - Strategic Thinking
- M&A Transaction Execution
- Financial Acumen
- Executive Presence
- Negotiation & Influence
- Partnership Management
- Market Analysis
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Risk Assessment
- Change Management
- Team Leadership and Mentorship
Success Metrics: - Successful execution of strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
- Achievement of synergy and integration targets.
- Growth in market share and strategic capabilities.
- Expansion into new markets and technology domains.
- Strengthening of strategic alliances and customer relationships.
- Contribution to enterprise revenue growth and shareholder value
- Management and mentorship of the team to foster a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and innovation.
Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company offering a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people across 65 countries worldwide and in all 50 U.S. states, more information is available at www.gd.com. General Dynamics Land Systems, is a business unit of General Dynamics, and is an innovative leader of ground combat systems' equipment and software for our clients. Our performance-driven team partners with the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corp and other militaries across the Globe to ensure that next generation ground combat vehicles are ready to protect our fighting men and women in uniform. General Dynamics Lands Systems provides a competitive compensation package, site specific flexible work schedules, 401(k) with Company Match; Bonus Eligibility, Employee Development Opportunities, Tuition Reimbursement, On-site Amenities, and comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance.
