Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Moneyboard classification: Published range reaches threshold
Reported USD annual base: $279,000–$329,000
Original source: Greenhouse

THE COMPANY

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). With more ocean miles and real-world operational experience than any USV manufacturer or operator, Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world, 24/7/365. 

Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, an established European entity supporting regional business development, sales, and operations, and a deployment hub in the Middle East. By combining proven autonomous operations, edge computing, advanced sensing, renewable power, and the most advanced and robust unmanned surface technology on the planet, Saildrone is shaping how the Navy of the future operates. Join a fast-moving, mission-driven team at the forefront of maritime security and autonomous innovation.
THE ROLE

This is a senior, hands-on position at the center of the company. You will work directly for the CFO  and act as a trusted right hand on capital raising, build and run Saildrone’s investor relations  function, and lead business-opportunity assessments for corporate development and strategy. You  will work daily with the CEO and CFO, and with the board, existing shareholders, investment banks,  strategic partners and prospective investors. 

The role has three parts: capital raising, ongoing investor relations, and corporate development strategy. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Capital raising 

Act as day-to-day project lead for capital raising processes. Own the process calendar,  work-plan, investor tracker and regular status updates to the CEO and CFO. 

Build and maintain the investor universe and pipeline across venture and growth funds,  crossover and hedge funds, family offices, sovereign and strategic investors. Prioritize and tier  targets, and track engagement, confidentiality agreements and next steps. 

Prepare and keep current the investor presentation, financial model, executive summary, Q&A  bank and management presentation, working closely with the CFO and finance team.

Run the data room and diligence process, coordinating inputs from legal, finance, engineering  and operations. 

Coordinate with investment banks and placement agents, and manage engagement terms and  process discipline. 

Prepare the CEO for investor meetings with briefing notes, investor background, likely  questions and post-meeting follow-ups. 

Support term sheet comparison, negotiation analysis, cap table and dilution modeling, and  closing logistics.

Investor relations (ongoing) 

Build and run Saildrone’s IR program, including monthly investor and board updates, KPI reporting, a standing communication cadence and a shareholder information policy.

Be the first point of contact for existing investors and for inbound enquiries from funds, banks and family offices, with a well-kept record of pipeline for every conversation. 

Maintain relationships with key shareholders (venture, strategic and sovereign) and keep them informed ahead of financings and major announcements. 

Prepare board and investor materials alongside the CEO and CFO. 

Track the competitive and capital-markets landscape (defense-tech and autonomy financings, valuations, public comparables, M&A) and brief the CEO regularly. 

Over time, help build the IR foundation for a possible IPO or other liquidity event.

Corporate development and strategy 

Work with the CEO to help source, screen and assess business opportunities, including acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, strategic investments and international expansion.

Assist the finance department with financial modeling and valuation analysis, and write concise recommendation memos for the CEO and board. 

Lead early-stage diligence with internal stakeholders, and coordinate external advisors on  active transactions. 

Manage a prioritized pipeline of strategic opportunities, with a clear view of the rationale, risks  and next steps for each. 

Support the CEO on strategic projects as they arise. 

WHO YOU ARE

Required 

5 –10 years of experience in investment banking (M&A, ECM or growth/tech coverage),  venture capital or growth equity, or corporate development at a high-growth company.  Experience across more than one of these is a strong plus. 

Direct experience on at least one private financing, IPO or M&A transaction from the issuer,  banker or investor side. 

Advanced financial modeling, valuation and cap table skills, with rigorous attention to numbers. • An excellent writer and presenter, able to turn complex material into a clear, persuasive  investor story and executive-ready memos. 

High energy, strong judgment and a bias for action. You are comfortable running many  work-streams at once, working under tight deadlines and operating with limited direction.

Credibility and presence with senior investors, bankers and executives. You build relationships  quickly and handle sensitive information with discretion. 

Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, engineering or a related field. An MBA, CFA or  similar is a plus. 

Strongly preferred 

Background in defense, aerospace, maritime or other deep-tech or hard-tech sectors.

Experience and relationships across the defense-tech and deep-tech investor space.

Experience supporting a CEO or founder, for example as chief of staff or in a principal or  associate role at a fund. 

You will work directly with the CEO and CFO at a pivotal infection moment for the company, with real  ownership over the company’s financing and business strategy.

The base salary range for this position is shown below. Actual compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications. This range reflects the base salary for candidates in states requiring pay transparency disclosure.
Salary Range
$279,000—$329,000 USD

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