Senior Manager, Corporate Development M&A

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

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

 

 

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS 

Education & Experience

 

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.