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.