Senior Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions

At STV, we not only tackle world-class projects, but we also develop employee skills, recognize achievements, and offer opportunities for advancement. We are a nationally recognized multidisciplinary AEC professional services firm with 65 offices throughout the US and over 3,300 employees. We advise, plan, design, engineer, and manage infrastructure that strengthens communities and powers local economies.

We don’t just pursue projects – we pursue impact.

And we’re looking for a Senior Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions who can help shape STV’s future footprint.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As the Senior Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions (SVP, M&A), you are responsible for identifying, shaping, and executing strategic acquisition opportunities that support the firm’s long-term growth objectives. You play a critical role in expanding the firm’s geographic reach and service offerings while ensuring cultural alignment and disciplined value creation.

M&A is a complementary growth lever for the firm and is pursued with intention, discipline, and a strong emphasis on relationships. You focus primarily on off-market, relationship-driven opportunities, engaging founders and leaders well before formal sale processes begin.

You work closely with the CEO, and in close partnership with Operating Group Presidents, the CFO, and executive leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Sourcing & Pipeline Development

• You’ll lead national sourcing of off-market M&A opportunities aligned with defined geographic priorities and strategic service adjacencies.

• Build and maintain a robust, forward-looking pipeline of qualified targets through direct outreach, relationship development, and market presence.

• Engage founders and leadership teams as a trusted growth advisor, influencing opportunities before they enter formal processes.

• Develop and maintain a living market map of priority geographies, emerging players, and strategic adjacencies.

Deal Evaluation & Execution

• Own the end-to-end M&A process from initial engagement through diligence, LOI/NBO, and close.

• Conduct disciplined assessments of strategic, cultural, operational, and financial fit.

• Lead valuation and deal structuring in partnership with the CFO, CEO, and external advisors.

• Independently recommend opportunities to the CEO once criteria are met, demonstrating both conviction and discernment.

Cultural & Strategic Alignment

• Evaluate cultural and values alignment with equal weight to financial considerations, ensuring acquisitions strengthen company culture and long-term enterprise value.

• Assess leadership quality, client relationships, and employee values as part of diligence.

• Avoid transactional, price-driven approaches that undermine trust or long-term fit.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Insight

• Provide leadership with ongoing insight into market trends, competitive dynamics, and acquisition opportunities.

• Help shape “where not to play” decisions by identifying misaligned markets, geographies, or business models.

• Contribute to broader growth strategy discussions, particularly as they relate to adjacency expansion and geographic presence.

Executive Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operating Group Presidents to identify opportunities that complement organic growth strategies.

• Work collaboratively with corporate and advisory leadership to align M&A activity with enterprise priorities.

• Support periodic engagement with the Board or PE owner as needed, typically in partnership with the CEO.

SUCCESS METRICS

• Number and quality of off-market targets added to the pipeline.

• Progression of opportunities from Qualified → Thesis Fit → NBO to Close.

• Annual EBITDA contribution from closed acquisitions

• Strength of cultural, client, and strategic alignment in completed transactions.

YOUR IDEAL BACKGROUND / QUALS

• You’ll bring a deep understanding of the AEC ecosystem and the dynamics of founder-led professional services firms.

• Proven success sourcing and closing off-market, relationship-driven acquisitions.

• Experience partnering with senior executives and founders without reliance on advisors and/or formal auction processes.

• Strong judgment and discipline — comfortable saying “no” when opportunities are misaligned.

• Credible executive pr