Director of Growth and Investments

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The Director of Growth and Investments is responsible for leading and executing Krause Group’s growth strategy, partnering with all Krause Group verticals, businesses, and shared services functions to identify, evaluate, negotiate, and integrate strategic transactions. This role will oversee the full deal lifecycle—from opportunity origination to due diligence, integration, and enterprise‑wide growth through diversification, strategic partnerships, and high‑value acquisitions.

Responsibilities

Growth/M&A Research & Analysis

• Lead the execution of the Growth strategy across all Krause Group businesses internationally, conducting research, analyzing, and providing recommendations to the Investment Committee.
• Conduct ongoing market, competitive, and industry analysis to inform strategic decision‑making and identify emerging opportunities and risks.
• Establish and maintain disciplined processes, governance frameworks, and decision‑making criteria for deals.

Deal Origination & Execution

• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of potential acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and partnership opportunities, leveraging networks, advisors, and industry relationships.
• Lead deal sourcing, due diligence, negotiations, and initial integration planning.
• Organize, coordinate, and lead cross‑functional due diligence teams to assess risks and opportunities.
• Lead discussions/negotiations with acquisition targets on price, contract terms, and transaction structure.
• Structure complex transactions leveraging appropriate internal and external resources.
• Oversee integration strategy and execution, driving synergy realization, operational alignment, and cultural integration.

Business Development

• Identify and evaluate strategic partnerships, alliances, and joint ventures that expand Krause Group’s market reach, capabilities, and revenue streams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including acquisition targets, investors, bankers, advisors, and industry leaders.

Financial Analysis & Valuation

• Partner with the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team to create detailed financial models, valuations, and business cases to support investment decisions.
• Evaluate business cases including go‑to‑market strategies, synergy potential, integration costs, and ROI.
• Partner with the shared services functions to assess, understand and communicate financial impact, risks of potential acquisitions and recommend remediation actions.
• Monitor post‑acquisition performance against deal assumptions and integration plans, making adjustments as needed.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with shared services functions to address non‑financial risks and compliance requirements.
• Summarize and present due diligence findings, recommendations, and acquisition deliverables to the SLT.
• Lead creation of acquisition deliverables such as presentations, Board reports, and deal closing documentation.
• Guide associates and leadership through all stages of the acquisition process, fostering collaboration, clear communication, and alignment while overseeing opportunity sourcing and due diligence activities.

Other duties as assigned. Adheres to all company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• 7‑10+ years of experience in investment banking, corporate development, private equity, or management consulting.
• Proven track record of successfully executing M&A transactions and strategic initiatives.
• Experience in soccer/sports, wine or real estate preferred.
• Experience with integration planning and post‑merger integration.
• Possess experience in a VUCA environment, adapting quickly, making decisions with incomplete information, and guiding leadership through constant change and disruption.
• Experience in a rapidly scaling start‑up, private equity firms, or venture capital firms is strongly preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Global experience in M&A, Corporate Development or Investment Banking preferred.
• Proficiency in financial modeling, valuation methodologies, and deal analysis.
• Strong knowledge of M&A processes, due diligence, and transaction documentation.
• Strong passion for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and financial databases (Capital IQ, Pitchbook, etc.).
• Understanding of accounting principles, tax implications, and regulatory requirements.
• Experienced in formulating recommendations and/or solutions to complex issues. Critical thinking to identify, assess and develop potential solutions from a complex fact pattern or situation. English required; Italian or another Romance language is preferred.
• Ability to travel globally up to 30% of the time.
• Be based in or fully relocate to Des Moines, Iowa.

EEO Statement

Krause Group believes in People First. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer building a culture of equity and inclusion.

Krause Group Purpose

Our purpose is to enhance the way people experience the world.

Krause Group Mission

Our mission is to nurture our family of brands, creating opportunities to do good in the world.

Krause Group Values

• Agility−We challenge the status quo with open minds, flexibility, and speed. We are comfortable being uncomfortable. We view change as opportunity.
• Courage−We take risks. We innovate. We win or learn. We push limits, disrupt norms, and define our own path.
• Growth Mindset−We are building an organization and legacy that will outlive us. We are continuously learning. There is no final‑destination, only the journey to be better than we were yesterday.
• Inclusion−We actively seek and welcome alternative points of view. Diverse perspectives improve decision‑making and make us all more successful.
• Integrity−We do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. We do not take shortcuts and always take accountability.
• Community Focused−We are committed to positively impacting our communities, stakeholders, and associates. We do good and encourage others to join us.

Position located in Des Moines, Iowa.