Corporate Development Director

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Smiths Detection is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Corporate Development Director to play a pivotal role in driving our inorganic growth strategy. Reporting directly to the CFO, this high-profile position will lead the identification, evaluation, negotiation, and execution of strategic acquisitions, partnerships, licensing opportunities, and divestitures that will shape the future of our business.

Working closely with senior leadership, the Board, and external advisors, you will have a direct impact on long-term value creation, portfolio development, and strategic growth across a global technology-led organisation.

The Opportunity

As Corporate Development Director, you will be responsible for developing and executing corporate development initiatives that support Smiths Detection's strategic ambitions. You will lead complex transactions from origination through to completion, providing rigorous financial analysis and commercial insight to support key investment decisions.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly driven M&A professional looking to make a significant impact within an international organisation operating at the forefront of security and detection technology.

What you will be doing

• Partner with senior stakeholders to further develop and execute Smiths Detection's inorganic growth strategy.
• Identify attractive markets, technologies, and acquisition targets that support strategic priorities.
• Lead financial modelling, valuation analysis, and business case development for investment opportunities.
• Manage end-to-end transaction execution, including due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, and completion.
• Build and maintain relationships with target companies, industry partners, advisors, and key internal stakeholders.
• Support portfolio reviews, strategic assessments, and divestiture activities where required.
• Present clear, data-driven recommendations and insights to executive leadership and the Board.
• Collaborate across legal, tax, finance, and operational teams to ensure successful transaction delivery.

About You

You will bring a strong blend of strategic thinking, financial expertise, and transaction execution experience, with the credibility to influence at the most senior levels of the organisation.

What We're Looking For

• Proven success delivering complex strategic transactions.
• Strong commercial judgement and analytical capability.
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• A collaborative leadership style and experience working across multiple functions and geographies.
• Genuine interest in business strategy, technology, and engineering-led innovation.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and sound decision-making.

Why Join Smiths Detection?

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the strategic direction of a global market leader. You will work directly with the CFO, CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board on high-impact initiatives that drive growth, shape our portfolio, and create long-term shareholder value.

Location & Travel

• Based at our Chancery Lane, London headquarters.
• Moderate travel requirements, dependent on transaction activity.
• If you are an accomplished corporate development or M&A professional looking for an opportunity to drive strategic growth within a global organisation, we would welcome your application.

• Degree educated in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in Corporate Development, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Strategy Consulting, or a similar environment.
• Demonstrable track record of leading and executing M&A transactions.
• Deep expertise in financial modelling, valuation methodologies, due diligence, and strategic analysis.
• Experience operating within complex, global, matrix organisations.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Desirable
• Qualified Chartered Accountant or relevant financial qualification (ACA, CIMA, CPA, CA, or equivalent).

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website.