Director of Strategic Acquisitions and Growth

Director Of Strategic Acquisitions And Growth

Hybrid Lancaster, CA 93535

Salary Range $120,750.00 - $168,000.00 Hourly Position Type Regular Full-Time Job Shift Day Category Classified

The role supports multiple school sites throughout the region and requires regular travel, with travel expected up to 50% of the time.

At Lifelong Learning, our mission is to support our client schools so they can concentrate on improving educational outcomes and student success. We continue to be a strong, positive force, pioneering the way education is delivered to all students.

The Director Of Strategic Acquisitions And Growth is responsible for leading and executing organic and acquisition-based growth strategies for Lifelong Learning (LLAC). This role drives the expansion of LLAC's impact, services, and revenue through strategic partnerships, contract development, market expansion, and acquisitions. This position is responsible for identifying, developing, evaluating, negotiating, and facilitating new business opportunities and strategic acquisitions that align with the LLAC's mission, vision, and long-term growth objectives.

This individual serves as a key representative of LLAC and will play a critical role in expanding access to high-quality services for students and families nationwide. This position reports to the Senior Vice President Of Student Services or their designee.

LLAC and its affiliated organizations are committed to expanding educational opportunities and services for students, particularly those experiencing disabilities, educational barriers, or difficult life circumstances. The Director Of Strategic Acquisitions And Growth will actively champion this mission while advancing strategic growth initiatives that strengthen services, expand access, and maximize positive outcomes for students and families nationwide.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies that increase revenue, market presence, and organizational impact.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to establish new partnerships, contracts, and service agreements with: public school districts, charter schools, county offices of education, educational agencies, private schools, parochial schools, nonpublic agencies (NPAs), SELPAs, educational institutions, community-based organizations, and other organizations supporting students with disabilities or specialized educational needs.
• Develop and maintain a national pipeline of qualified business opportunities.
• Generate, qualify, and successfully convert new business opportunities into long-term contracts and partnerships.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to establish annual growth goals, revenue targets, and strategic priorities.
• Identify new markets, service offerings, and expansion opportunities that align with LLAC's mission and growth objectives.
• Monitor industry trends, legislative developments, funding opportunities, and competitive market conditions to support strategic planning.
• Attend conferences, industry events, networking opportunities, and educational forums to promote Company services and establish strategic relationships.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, forecasting, and business development activities within Company-approved CRM and reporting systems.
• Identify acquisition opportunities involving small to medium-sized businesses that complement, enhance, or expand LLAC's service offerings.
• Develop and maintain a robust acquisition pipeline through industry relationships, broker networks, market research, referrals, and direct outreach.
• Locate acquisition opportunities through public and private channels.
• Conduct preliminary evaluations of acquisition targets including strategic alignment, market opportunity, growth potential, financial viability, operational compatibility, and scalability.
• Analyze financial statements, operational metrics, valuation considerations, and market data related to potential acquisitions.
• Participate in or lead acquisition discussions, negotiations, due diligence activities, and transaction management efforts.
• Coordinate with legal counsel, accountants, business brokers, investment professionals, lenders, and other advisors involved in acquisition processes.
• Prepare acquisition recommendations, financial analyses, and business cases for executive leadership.
• Support acquisition integration planning and post-acquisition implementation efforts.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding acquisition targets, strategic initiatives, negotiations, and sensitive business information.
• Build trusted relationships with educational leaders, business owners, brokers, referral partners, strategic partners, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a key ambassador for LLAC's mission, values, and growth initiatives.
• Foster collaborative partnerships that create long-term value and increase educational opportunities for students and families.
• Establish credibility and trust with executive-level decision-makers and organizational leaders.
• Represent LLAC with professionalism and integrity in all external interactions.
• Meet or exceed annual business development, revenue, and strategic growth goals established by executive leadership.
• Maintain a qualified growth pipeline sufficient to achieve annual organizational objectives.
• Demonstrate measurable year-over-year improvement in: revenue growth, contract volume, strategic partnerships, geographic expansion, market penetration, acquisition opportunities sourced and evaluated, and completed acquisitions.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports regarding sales and growth activities, revenue forecasting, contract development, acquisition pipeline status, and key performance indicators.
• Meet established reporting requirements, project timelines, and strategic growth objectives.
• Manage, coordinate, supervise, coach, and direct the hiring, training, timely performance evaluations of team members, oversee their daily activities and oversee the daily workflow of the department.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Proven ability to identify, develop, and execute growth opportunities.
• Strong sales, negotiation, and deal-structuring capabilities.
• Knowledge of acquisition processes, due diligence, valuation concepts, and transaction management.
• Ability to evaluate markets, competitive landscapes, and strategic opportunities.
• Strong business acumen and financial literacy.
• Exceptional relationship-development and networking capabilities.
• Ability to influence executive leaders and decision-makers.
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and strategic growth.
• High degree of initiative, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Passion for mission-driven work that improves educational outcomes for students and families.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in business development, strategic partnerships, sales leadership, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, business brokerage, or related growth-focused roles.
• Demonstrated experience participating in or leading merger, acquisition, business sale, investment, or strategic transaction activities, including sourcing opportunities, financial evaluation, due diligence, negotiation, or integration planning.
• Proven success generating new contracts, strategic partnerships, and measurable revenue growth.
• Experience developing and managing business development pipelines and revenue forecasts.
• Experience locating acquisition opportunities and managing acquisition processes from prospecting through negotiation and closing.
• Experience negotiating with business owners, executives, consultants, brokers, and professional advisors.
• Strong financial analysis, strategic planning, and business evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a remote environment.
• Ability to travel nationally up to 75% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Management, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience in business development, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, investment banking, strategic consulting, or business brokerage.
• Experience serving as a buyer-side acquisition professional, business broker, private equity professional, or corporate development leader.
• Experience in the special education, behavioral health, healthcare, human services, or educational services sectors.
• Knowledge of K-12 education systems, special education services, alternative education, and related educational environments.
• Experience developing relationships with school districts, charter schools, SELPAs, educational agencies, or specialized service providers.
• Understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by students with disabilities and students experiencing adverse life circumstances.
• Advance level of skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other technology applications.
• Ability to travel up to 75% in performance of job duties is required.

Physical Requirements

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods, prepare, or inspect documents and operate office