Senior Manager, Corporate Development M&A

Role Summary

The Senior Manager, Corporate Development & M&A will support the SVP of Corporate Development & Strategy in sourcing, evaluating, and executing acquisitions and strategic initiatives that strengthen Lindblad Expeditions' portfolio of experiential travel businesses.

This role combines financial analysis, market research, relationship development, due diligence, and cross-functional project management to support transactions from initial outreach through integration. The ideal candidate is an analytical, detail-oriented professional who enjoys building relationships, evaluating strategic opportunities, and partnering across the organization.

Essential Job Duties

Transaction Execution & Financial Analysis

• Support execution of acquisitions from initial evaluation through closing by coordinating financial, operational, commercial, and confirmatory due diligence.
• Build and maintain financial models, including DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions, accretion/dilution, synergy, and return analyses.
• Coordinate diligence request lists, manage virtual data rooms, and summarize findings, risks, and value drivers for executive leadership.
• Support transaction structuring, valuation analysis, and post-close integration planning.

Market Mapping & Business Development

• Develop and maintain market maps, acquisition target lists, and competitive landscape analyses across expedition cruising, land travel, and adjacent markets.
• Maintain a structured pipeline tracking ownership, financial profile, strategic fit, valuation expectations, and relationship history.
• Support outreach and relationship development with acquisition targets, advisors, and industry contacts to generate proprietary deal flow.

Investment Materials

• Prepare investment memos, opportunity assessments, Board materials, and Executive Leadership Team presentations.
• Present financial analysis and strategic recommendations with clear, concise supporting data.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Finance, Legal, Operations, Marine, Hotel, Sales, Marketing, and other functional leaders to validate assumptions and evaluate strategic opportunities.
• Support integration planning, synergy tracking, and value creation initiatives following acquisitions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field. MBA, CPA, or CFA is a plus.
• 5-8+ years of experience in Corporate Development, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Strategy Consulting, Transaction Advisory, or a related M&A environment.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments, or corporate development initiatives from evaluation through execution.
• Strong financial modeling skills including DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions, accretion/dilution, and return analysis.
• Experience performing financial, commercial, and operational due diligence.
• Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Experience preparing investment memoranda, executive presentations, and materials for senior leadership.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex financial concepts.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in the travel, hospitality, leisure, cruise, transportation, or consumer services industries.
• Exposure to post-acquisition integration planning and synergy analysis.
• Experience supporting executive leadership or Board-level presentations.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and market intelligence platforms
• Demonstrated ability to build professional relationships with founders, business owners, and external advisors.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Our Benefits

• Travel benefits for employees and their family
• Voyage of Discovery trips for employees to travel as guests
• Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to be used for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit
• 7-8 Paid Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday Options
• Up to 15 days of vacation (pro-rated per anniversary year)
• Parental Leave
• Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance
• Pet Insurance discount

Hybrid Work Schedule

Positions based in our New York and Seattle offices follow a hybrid work schedule, requiring employees to work in the office Tuesday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely Monday and Friday. Candidates must reside within reasonable commuting distance of their designated office.

Communication Skills

Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.
• The employee will also be required to write and type.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

Pay and benefits

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.