Senior Manager of Growth & Investments

The Senior Manager of Growth & Investments is responsible for supporting and executing Krause Group’s global growth strategy through strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, investments, and business expansion initiatives across the organization’s portfolio.

This role serves as a key leader within the Growth & Investments function, overseeing Analysts and leading the execution of multiple concurrent strategic initiatives and transactions. The Senior Manager will partner closely with the Head of Growth & Investments, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), business leaders, and shared services functions to identify, evaluate, negotiate, and integrate strategic growth opportunities aligned with Krause Group’s long-term objectives.

The role requires strong financial, strategic, and operational acumen, with the ability to independently lead transaction workstreams, manage cross-functional teams, and drive execution in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Principal Functions of the Job

Key Responsibilities

Growth/Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) Research & Analysis

• Support execution of Krause Group’s growth and investment strategy across all businesses and verticals internationally.

• Conduct market, competitive, and industry analysis to identify strategic growth opportunities, emerging trends, and potential risks.

• Develop investment theses, business cases, and strategic recommendations for leadership and the Investment Committee.

• Monitor industry sources, market activity, and emerging sectors for relevance to Krause Group businesses and future portfolio opportunities.

• Assist in developing and maintaining disciplined investment evaluation processes, governance frameworks, and transaction standards.

Deal Origination & Execution

• Identify, evaluate, and maintain a pipeline of acquisition, investment, partnership, joint venture, and diversification opportunities.

• Lead transaction execution activities including financial analysis, valuation, due diligence coordination, negotiation support, and integration planning.

• Organize and manage cross-functional diligence teams to assess operational, financial, legal, commercial, and strategic risks.

• Support structuring of transactions and preparation of investment recommendations and executive presentations.

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders including bankers, investors, advisors, founders, and legal counsel throughout the transaction lifecycle.

• Assist with post-close integration activities and tracking of strategic and financial performance against deal assumptions.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Identify opportunities to expand and diversify revenue streams across Krause Group businesses.

• Evaluate strategic partnerships, collaborations, sponsorships, and external growth initiatives.

• Support the development of new business models, revenue-generating initiatives, and market expansion opportunities.

• Lead and/or support implementation of strategic growth initiatives across the organization.

• Promote Krause Group businesses internally and externally through relationship building and strategic networking.

Financial Analysis & Valuation

• Partner with FP&A and finance teams to develop financial models, valuations, scenario analyses, and investment recommendations.

• Evaluate opportunities including revenue potential, integration costs, synergies, ROI, and strategic fit.

• Assess risks and communicate financial implications and recommendations to leadership teams.

• Monitor performance of completed investments and acquisitions against original business cases and strategic objectives.

• Support preparation of presentations, investment memorandums, Board materials, and transaction documentation.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Manage, mentor, and develop 2–3 Growth & Investments Analysts, providing coaching, prioritization, and performance feedback.

• Oversee analyst workstreams including financial modeling, market research, diligence coordination, investment analysis, and presentation development.

• Ensure consistency, rigor, and quality across analyses, recommendations, and transaction deliverables.

• Act as a strategic thought partner to the Head of Growth & Investments and collaborate closely with business leaders and shared services functions.

• Lead cross-functional project teams through all stages of strategic initiatives and transactions.

• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the Growth & Investments team.

Other duties as assigned.

Adheres to all company policies and procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly manages and develops 2–3 associates within the Growth & Investments function.

• Provides leadership, coaching, prioritization, and performance management aligned with organizational objectives.

• Supports development of scalable processes, tools, and best practices for the Growth & Investments team.

Level of Supervision Received

• This position will require little direct supervision and will perform based on broad instructions or direction.

Knowledge and Experience

• 7–10+ years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, venture capital, consulting, or related strategic finance roles.

• Proven experience supporting or executing M&A transactions, investments, strategic partnerships, or business expansion initiatives.

• Experience developing financial models, valuation analyses, and executive-level business cases.

• Experience managing complex projects and coordinating cross-functional stakeholders.

• Prior experience mentoring or leading junior team members preferred.

• Experience in sports/soccer, wine, hospitality, consumer brands, real estate, or diversified portfolio organizations preferred.

• Experience operating in fast-paced, entrepreneurial, or rapidly evolving environments preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong financial modeling, valuation, analytical, and strategic thinking capabilities.

• Strong understanding of M&A processes, diligence coordination, and transaction execution.

• Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations and executive-level communications.

• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

• Highly collaborative with the ability to influence across functions and leadership levels.

• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization capabilities.

• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and financial research platforms (Capital IQ, PitchBook, etc.).

• Understanding of accounting principles, transaction structures, and investment analysis.

• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous and fast-changing environments.

• Passion for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• English required; Italian or another Romance language preferred.

• Ability to travel globally up to 30% of the time.

• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Des Moines, Iowa.

Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. Scheduling, assignments, and work location may be changed at any time, as required by business necessity.

Krause Group believes in People First. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer building a culture of equity and inclusion.

Krause Group Purpose

Our purpose is to enhance the way people experience the world.

Krause Group Mission

Our mission is to nurture our family of brands, creating opportunities to do good in the world.

Krause Group Values

• Agility- We challenge the status quo with open minds, flexibility, and speed. We are comfortable being uncomfortable. We view change as opportunity.

• Courage -We take risks. We innovate. We win or learn. We push limits, disrupt norms, and define our own path.

• Growth Mindset - We are building an organization and legacy that will outlive us. We are continuously learning. There is no final-destination, only the journey to be better than we were yesterday.

• Inclusion -We actively seek and welcome alternative points of view. Diverse perspectives improve decision-making and make us all more successful.

• Integrity - We do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. We do not take shortcuts and always take accountability.

• Community Focused -We are committed to positively impacting our communities, stakeholders, and associates. We do good and encourage others to join us.