Director, Corporate Development

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Job Summary

The Director of Corporate Development will play a critical role in executing Polaris’s strategic growth and portfolio initiatives, with a focus on M&A and strategic partnerships. Reporting to the VP of Strategy & Partnerships, this role will lead deal execution, support strategic assessments, and collaborate across SBUs and corporate functions to drive disciplined, high-impact transactions. This is a hands-on role ideal for a strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and deal experience who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. The Director will also collaborate with strategy resources to help identify and prioritize new markets for growth and work closely with innovation leaders to align M&A opportunities with Polaris’s innovation priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of M&A transactions, including financial modeling, due diligence coordination, and deal structuring
• Build and maintain a pipeline of acquisition targets across Polaris’s business segments
• Partner with SBUs to identify strategic opportunities aligned with long-range plans
• Develop investment theses and market assessments to support strategic decision-making
• Collaborate with legal, finance, and functional teams to ensure smooth transaction execution
• Support post-deal integration planning and execution
• Help evolve Polaris’s corporate development processes and tools
• Collaborate with strategy resources to identify and prioritize new markets for growth
• Work with innovation leaders to prioritize M&A opportunities that support innovation goals

Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or strategy consulting
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills
• Experience executing M&A transactions (buy-side and sell-side)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience in powersports, automotive, or adjacent industries a plus
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed organization
• Strong project management and organizational skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent preferred

Competencies

• Execution Excellence – Drives results with discipline and urgency
• Strategic Thinking – Connects market insights to actionable opportunities
• Collaboration – Works effectively across teams and levels
• Adaptability – Navigates ambiguity and change with resilience
• Accountability – Takes ownership and delivers on commitments

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment with flexibility for remote collaboration
• Up to 30% domestic and international travel

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $188,000 to $235,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.  While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range. 

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This position is not eligible for sponsorship

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE.  Apply today!

At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing.  Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym &