Head of Corporate Development and Acquisitions

TKDA is seeking a strategic, relationship-focused leader to drive our growth-through-acquisition strategy. The Head of Corporate Development & Acquisitions will identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities, cultivate relationships with firm owners and industry advisors, lead transaction execution, and support successful integration efforts.
This role is ideal for a professional who combines strong business acumen, financial analysis capabilities, and relationship-building skills with a deep understanding of the architecture, engineering, and consulting industry. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the firm's long-term growth strategy through mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Acquisition Leadership
• Lead TKDA's growth-through-acquisition strategy, identifying opportunities that strengthen the firm's service offerings, talent base, geographic presence, and client relationships.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of acquisition and partnership opportunities aligned with the firm's strategic growth objectives.
• Conduct market mapping, competitive intelligence, and industry research to identify high-potential acquisition targets and emerging market opportunities.
• Build investment theses and business cases that evaluate strategic fit, cultural alignment, financial performance, growth potential, and integration considerations.
• Lead the acquisition process from initial outreach through closing, including valuation assessments, due diligence coordination, negotiation support, and transaction execution.
• Partner closely with the CEO and executive leadership, finance, HR, legal counsel, business unit leaders, and external advisors throughout the deal lifecycle.
• Prepare recommendations, business cases, and acquisition updates for executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
Relationship Development & Industry Networking
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with engineering, architecture, and consulting firm owners, industry leaders, brokers, investment bankers, and strategic advisors.
• Develop proprietary acquisition opportunities through proactive networking, relationship building, and industry engagement before opportunities reach the broader market.
• Represent TKDA at industry conferences, trade associations, and networking events to strengthen market intelligence and expand the firm's acquisition network.
• Serve as a trusted ambassador for TKDA's employee-owned culture and long-term growth strategy.
Strategic Growth & Market Expansion
• Evaluate opportunities to expand into new geographic markets, service lines, client sectors, and adjacent business areas.
• Assess industry trends, consolidation activity, and competitive dynamics to identify future growth opportunities.
• Partner with business leaders to translate strategic priorities into actionable growth initiatives and acquisition targets.
• Support strategic planning by providing insights into market opportunities, acquisition activity, and long-term growth strategies.
Real Estate
• Work closely with Company Leaders to manage Real Estate portfolio: capture opportunities through right-sizing, relocation, and renegotiation. 
Due Diligence & Integration Leadership
• Coordinate cross-functional due diligence activities, including financial, operational, legal, technology, human resources, cultural, and client evaluations.
• Lead integration planning efforts before transaction close to ensure a seamless transition.
• Partner with business leaders to execute integration activities that preserve culture, retain key talent, maintain client relationships, and accelerate value creation.
• Monitor post-acquisition performance, integration milestones, and synergy realization to ensure successful outcomes.
Executive & Board Communication
• Provide regular acquisition pipeline and strategic growth updates to executive leadership.
• Develop reports, dashboards, and metrics to track acquisition activity, integration progress, and business outcomes.
• Present acquisition opportunities, recommendations, and transaction updates to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, engineering, architecture, or a related field required.
• MBA or other advanced business degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, private equity, engineering or architecture consulting, strategic growth, or business development.
• Experience leading acquisition transactions from sourcing through integration.
• Experience within the architecture, engineering, environmental consulting, or professional services industry is strongly preferred.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills.
• Experience managing due diligence and transaction processes.
• Proven negotiation and relationship-building capabilities.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with executive leaders and external stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to work with highly confidential information and navigate complex business situations.
      

Join Our 100% Employee-Owned Firm At our company, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 430+ professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.   Comprehensive Benefits Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan 401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year   Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.   TKDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.    All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs or requirements. TKDA does not sponsor any type of employment visas, including but not limited to H‑1B, F‑1 OPT/CPT, TN, or other work authorization programs.   *Pre-Employment Screening* Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.   *Notice to Recruiters and Placement Agencies* TKDA will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or placement agencies unless a service agreement is in place. In the event TKDA receives an unsolicited resume without a service agreement in place, TKDA will not be obligated to pay a service fee of any amount nor will TKDA be held liable to terms or conditions under any agreement of any kind that has not been authorized in writing by a TKDA officer.