Director, Corporate Strategy & Development

OverviewCelanese is seeking a Director, Corporate Development & Strategy to serve as a deal captain. This is a high-visibility, high-accountability role at the core of Celanese's inorganic growth agenda, built for a self-directed operator who can own complex transactions from origination to close without needing step-by-step direction.You will not be handed a playbook. You will bring one. The right candidate has genuine M&A depth, strong financial instincts, and the organizational savvy to drive multiple workstreams simultaneously across Legal, Finance, Tax, Operations, and external advisors. You pick up the ball and run.ResponsibilitiesDeal Execution & Transaction ManagementOwn M&A, joint venture, strategic partnership, and divestiture transactions end-to-end - from thesis development through due diligence, negotiation, and closeLead cross-functional deal teams as the single point of accountability for process, timeline, and deliverables - without requiring escalation on day-to-day decisionsStructure complex transactions including term sheets, LOIs, and purchase agreements; manage data rooms and workstream interdependencies with autonomy and precisionAnticipate deal risks proactively and develop mitigation strategies; manage external advisors including investment banks, legal counsel, and consultants with discipline and directionMaintain deal momentum across multiple concurrent transactions, knowing when to push and when to pauseFinancial Analysis & ValuationBuild and pressure-test complex financial models including DCF, accretion/dilution, and scenario analyses to evaluate deal economicsDevelop and defend business cases, investment committee materials, and board-level presentations with credibility and clarityApply deep understanding of corporate finance to structure deals that maximize value and align with Celanese's capital allocation prioritiesPartner with Treasury and FP&A to evaluate financing structures, balance sheet implications, and integration financial plansStrategic Leadership & Stakeholder ManagementServe as a credible, executive-level partner to internal senior leaders and external counterparties including C-suite executives, founders, and investment bankersRepresent BSD in cross-functional leadership forums; communicate deal status, risks, and recommendations with authorityDevelop and maintain a pipeline of inorganic opportunities aligned to Celanese's portfolio and growth strategyMentor junior team members and model the standard for what excellent, autonomous deal execution looks likeQualificationsEducation: Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferredExperience: 10+ years in M&A, corporate development, investment banking, or private equity with a demonstrated track record of closing dealsDeal ownership: Proven ability to run a full transaction process independently - you've been the one accountable for getting it doneFinance fluency: Deep command of financial modeling, valuation methodologies, and transaction structuringExecutive presence: Polished communicator who can hold a room with senior leaders and external counterparties alikeDrive: High initiative, low ego. Thrives in ambiguity, moves with urgency, and doesn't wait to be told twiceIndustry: Experience in industrials, specialty chemicals, materials, or adjacent B2B sectors a strong plus