Director of Acquisitions

at  Virginia Green Lawn Care

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the VP of Finance, the Director of Acquisitions will lead all facets of the Company’s acquisition program. The Company seeks an experienced mergers and acquisitions professional to build a successful track record and lead the sourcing, evaluation, and execution of acquisitions that fit the long-term growth strategy. This position requires superior communication skills (both written and verbal), excellent business judgement, developed strategic thinking, great relationship building skills, and strong financial/valuation analysis skills. Successful candidates must also exhibit a strong bias for action, exceptional resourcefulness (or entrepreneurialism), a proven ability to juggle multiple projects, willingness to travel, and a strong work ethic. Ultimately, the ideal individual for this role possesses an ownership mindset, which is defined by a passion to roll up their sleeves, persistence to get things done, and the capability to deliver tangible results in a fast-paced environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / ATTRIBUTES

• Previous experience acquiring and/or advising companies serving relevant sector is preferred.
• Proven track record in sourcing, evaluating, structuring, and executing acquisitions through close.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with business owners, company management, bankers/brokers/deal sources, and other relevant external advisors.
• Exceptional business acumen and judgment in evaluating acquisition opportunities, gathering and synthesizing market information, and analyzing company financial statements.
• Possess superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication and presentation skills with the ability to clearly articulate and execute strategic initiatives.
• Excellent organizational, time management, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Highest ethical standards; personal and professional integrity; and proven discretion in handling confidential information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BS or BA degree with strong academic track record; MBA from a top-tier institution preferred.
• Greater than 5 years of total work experience in relevant roles such as: corporate development, private equity, investment banking, accounting, and management consulting
• High proficiency with Microsoft products especially Microsoft Office (i.e., Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to stoop and bend
• Virginia Green is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or other legally protected status.

• Develop strong understanding of Virginia Green’s business, industry, relevant market segments, key product groups, customers, financial profile, competitive landscape, and 5-year growth strategy.
• Lead and coordinate all deal sourcing activities, working cross-functionally to identify and research new targets; such activities would include:
• Build, maintain, and action the Company’s acquisition pipeline with the objective of closing multiple transactions per year.
• Conducting and leading industry and competitive research to further expand pipeline of potential targets across relevant products and services/solutions.
• Initiating, developing, and maintaining relationships with potential sellers and their advisors (including sole proprietor owners, corporate parents, brokers, bankers, and other key stakeholders at target companies)
• Utilizing critical thinking to prioritize investment opportunities and analyzing the most effective sourcing strategies or approaches.
• Structuring transactions to meet sellers’ needs and Company’s strategic interests.
• Successfully persuading business owners to sell their companies.
• Lead overall deal evaluation and further development of acquisition theses, including:
• Performing and documenting initial review of acquisition opportunities and discuss relevant factors with VP of Finance, CEO and potentially Board’s Acquisition Committee members.
• Identifying value drivers (e.g., cost synergies, revenue synergies, capability improvements, enhanced strategic positioning), developing hypotheses to identify what is material for driving acquisition decisions, and organizing and executing due diligence to verify hypotheses.
• Critically reviewing and developing understanding of target’s detailed financial statements, historical trends, growth and cost drives, customer relationship, and contribution by product/service segment
• Conducting, coordinating and/or overseeing relevant market and competitive landscape research in collaboration with internal resources
• Developing and maintaining financial models which incorporate (a) projections for income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow; (b) cost and revenue synergies; (c) scenario analysis to support valuation/purchase price recommendations
• Evaluating and determining how target would integrate into existing organizational structure and begin to craft integration plan with internal leaders
• Drafting initial term sheets and letters of intent
• Directly negotiating with sellers and other parties at VP of Finance and CEO’s direction and discretion
• Lead and coordinate deal execution, which includes:
• Managing external (attorneys, tax professionals, technical consultants, insurance, environmental, etc.) and cross-functional internal resources to complete due diligence
• Conducting confirmatory due diligence and coordinating with internal acquisition integration leadership (to ensure alignment of value-creation levers and objectives)
• Negotiating and completing legal documentation in collaboration with the Company’s general counsel and outside legal counsel; such legal documents may include purchase agreements, employment agreements, and incentive compensation for management teams.
• Arranging and negotiating financing (in partnership with VP of Finance and financial sponsor) to a more limited degree
• Flexing both upwards and downwards in order to coordinate the deal process and ensure completion of all aspects of each deal.
• Support post-acquisition integration efforts and work collaboratively with Company’s internal resources.
• Actively assist with transition from due diligence and deal execution to integration actively
• Maintain relationships with target’s management team to support effective transition process.
• Lead monthly acquisition committee meetings.