Director of Corporate Development

Axle is currently hiring a Director of Corporate Development, Capital Strategy & Investor Relations in our Tysons, VA office. This individual will lead Axle’s efforts to develop, articulate, and fund its long-term platform strategy through partnerships with institutional investors, family offices, lenders, and capital advisors. The position bridges corporate strategy, financial planning, and external relations, driving confidence in the organization’s capital strength, growth trajectory, and long-term value creation

Overview: 

This Director of Corporate Development, Capital Strategy and Investor Relations will serve as the key architect of Axle’s capital formation roadmap and will be responsible for representing Axle’s investment story, including its "Axle Platform" strategy — a differentiated thesis focused on acquisition-led growth, operational leverage, and strategic integration across research, healthcare, and technology. This individual will serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership, ensuring financial resources are aligned with growth objectives, while also managing relationships with investors, lenders, and key stakeholders. This role will report to the VP of Corporate Development and requires the ability to work in our Tysons, VA office 5 days/week. 

Responsibilities:

• Define Axle’s capital strategy to support acquisitions, organic growth, incubation investments, and working capital needs.

• Design equity, debt, or hybrid capital approaches that match different deal types or scaling phases while continuously assessing optimal capital structures to support value creation and investor alignment

• Develop and maintain the organization’s capital allocation framework, balancing growth initiatives, operating needs, and shareholder value.

• Lead financial modeling, scenario analysis, and investment evaluations to inform executive decision-making.

• Serve as the internal owner of Axle’s evolving platform investment strategy, with a clear understanding of its role as an integrator of complementary assets across Axle’s domains.

• Translate the Axle Platform vision into compelling investment narratives, with a focus on thesis-driven growth, M&A-led scale, and long-term enterprise value.

• Develop messaging around the "platform operator" role Axle plays — distinct from traditional PE or federal holding companies.

• Act as the lead liaison with capital partners including private equity firms, family offices, venture capital, and lenders, partnering to align capital strategy with growth and innovation priorities

• Own the development of investor materials, including Axle’s pitch deck, financial models, executive summaries, and Q&A prep. 

• Maintain a structured cadence of investor engagement, status updates, and follow-ups.

• Lead outreach to prospective capital partners and manage ongoing fundraising efforts. 

• Drive investor diligence processes, data room management, and coordination with advisors. 

• Own negotiation and execution of investment terms, including capital stack structuring.

• Partner with Finance, Legal, and senior executives to ensure capital planning aligns with operating forecasts, deal pipeline, and strategic roadmap. 

• Develop internal dashboards to track capital initiatives, investor interest, and fundraising milestones

• Represent the organization at investor forums, industry conferences, and capital markets events.

• Work alongside the M&A Lead to assess capital needs for specific deals. 

• Support the VP of Finance and senior leadership in translating capital plans into executable financial strategy.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field required; MBA, CFA, or MBA strongly preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, venture capital, or investor relations.

• Experience in healthcare, life sciences, or technology sectors (preferred).

• Proven track record leading capital formation, fundraising, and structuring complex financing transactions.

• Demonstrated experience working with institutional investors, family offices, lenders, and capital advisors.

• Strong understanding of equity, debt, and hybrid capital structures.

• Advanced financial modeling, valuation, and deal-structuring skills.

• Deep knowledge of M&A processes, deal diligence, and integration strategies.

• Ability to connect corporate strategy with capital markets positioning.

• Strong grasp of “platform” business models, particularly those spanning research, healthcare, and technology.

• Exceptional ability to translate complex financial strategies into compelling investment narratives.

• Experience presenting to boards, executive leadership, and external investors.

• Strong communication and negotiation skills with a track record of structuring favorable terms.

• Proven ability to manage investor engagement cycles, from sourcing to diligence to closing.

• Experience building dashboards, reporting frameworks, and capital initiative tracking.

• Ability to partner cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, and Operations

• Ability to work in our Tysons, VA office 5 days/week 

Ready to help shape the future of capital strategy and investor partnerships? Apply now to join a visionary, mission-driven team that values innovation, strategic growth, and lasting impact.