Sr Director Corporate Development

Job Description: At Sparklight, a Cable One brand, we keep our customers and associates connected to what matters most. For our associates, that means: a thriving and rewarding career, respect for the communities where they live and work, a focus on health and wellness, an excellent work/life balance, and an open and inclusive workplace. We are open to hiring remote if we find the right talent in any of the following states: AL, AR, AZ,  FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OR, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT. The Senior Director of Corporate Development leads the company’s end‑to‑end inorganic growth strategy, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, divestitures, and capital deployment initiatives. This role is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and executing transactions that advance the company’s strategic priorities across the broader communications sector. The Senior Director partners closely with the CEO, CFO, CPO, General Counsel, and operational leaders to ensure disciplined decision‑making, seamless integration, and long‑term value creation. This position requires deep experience in corporate development within telecom or infrastructure‑adjacent industries, strong familiarity with both public‑company and private‑equity operating models, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in complex, high‑stakes environments. Key Responsibilities Mergers & Acquisitions Lead the full M&A lifecycle: market scanning, target identification, outreach, valuation, due diligence, negotiation, and closing for both acquisitions and divestitures. Build and maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities across broadband, fiber, wireless, and adjacent infrastructure sectors. Develop financial models, valuation analyses, and scenario planning to support investment and capital allocation decisions. Coordinate cross‑functional diligence teams (Finance, Legal, HR, Operations, Technology, Regulatory). Partner with Legal to structure transactions, negotiate terms, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Prepare executive‑ready materials for the CEO, CFO, Board of Directors, and investment committees. Corporate Strategy & Market Intelligence Assess industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory developments to inform long‑term strategy. Evaluate build‑vs‑buy decisions, partnership opportunities, strategic monetization initiatives and capital allocation trade‑offs. Support strategic planning processes, including market expansion, product diversification, and operational synergies. Benchmark performance and operating models of both corporate and PE‑backed telecom operators. Integration Leadership Oversee post‑close integration planning and execution, ensuring alignment across people, systems, processes, and culture. Partner with HR and Operations to design integration roadmaps, synergy targets, and change‑management plans. Track integration KPIs and ensure accountability for value capture. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on strategic growth initiatives. Build strong relationships with field operations, finance, legal, HR, engineering, and technology teams to ensure seamless execution. Represent Corporate Development in executive forums, Board meetings, and external partner discussions. Governance, Legal & Compliance Partner with the General Counsel to manage confidentiality agreements, LOIs, purchase agreements, and regulatory filings. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local telecom regulations, including franchise, permitting, and right‑of‑way considerations. Maintain disciplined documentation, reporting, and governance practices consistent with public‑company standards. Qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, JD, or related advanced degree strongly preferred. 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, investor relations or strategy roles. Demonstrated success executing M&A transactions in telecom, broadband, fiber, wireless, or infrastructure‑adjacent industries. Experience operating within both corporate and private‑equity environments is preferred Strong financial modeling, valuation, and deal‑structuring expertise. Skills & Competencies Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills. Strong understanding of telecom economics, network operations, and regulatory frameworks. Ability to lead complex cross‑functional initiatives with minimal oversight. Excellent negotiation, communication, and executive‑level presentation skills. High degree of business judgment, discretion, and integrity. Leadership Attributes Relationship Builder: Develops trust with executives, operators, external partners, and potential acquisition targets. Influential Communicator: Shapes decisions through clear logic, data‑driven insights, and strong executive presence. Strategic Operator: Balances long‑term vision with disciplined execution and financial rigor. Change Leader: Navigates ambiguity, drives alignment, and leads teams through integration and transformation. Commercial Mindset: Understands how operational levers, customer experience, and market dynamics drive enterprise value. Resilient & Resourceful: Thrives in fast‑moving environments with competing priorities and limited information. Success Measures Quality and strategic fit of sourced opportunities. Successful execution and integration of acquisitions. Achievement of synergy targets and value‑creation outcomes. Strength of relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Contribution to long‑term growth, market expansion, and competitive positioning. Core Competencies Committed: Values each and every customer, while working hard to keep their business and support our communities. Helpful: Delivers support in the ways that are most useful to our customers and addresses their needs with expertise, respect, and empathy. Proactive: Understand what our customers need, and actively works to make their relationship with use seamless, easy, and rewarding. Personal: Knows our customers well, and tailors our communications and interactions to address their needs and expectations. Benefits Cable One and our family of brands appreciates the role our associates play to help the company grow, and in return an excellent benefits package is offered to our associates to recognize the importance of their contributions, such as: Medical, dental, and vision plans – start when you start! Life insurance (self, spouse, children) Paid time off (vacation, holiday, and personal/sick days) 401(k) - 100% company match (match program starts immediately, up to 5% of eligible compensation) Group Legal plan with Identity Theft Protection Additional Perks Tuition reimbursement (up to $5,250 on 1st year) Annual community support to various organizations across the U.S. Associate recognition & awards programs Advancement opportunities Collaborative work environment Our Commitment Diversity lies in the communities we serve and among the associates who dedicate themselves to ensure our continued success. Here at Cable One and our family of brands, we believe it is our individual and unique talents, backgrounds and perspectives that, when combined, truly make us an unstoppable force. "Stronger Together" is not just a verbal cue, it is the motto that our associates live by, exemplify, and embody each and every day. Cable One and our family of brands is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability. Pre-hire Processes Cable One and our family of brands is committed to keeping our associates and customers safe. Job offers are contingent upon the results of background, drug screening, and reference check. Only after successfully passing these pre-hire clearances are individuals approved for hire and ready to start their successful and rewarding career. #LI-XY1