VP, Mergers & Acquisitions

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Title: Vice President Mergers & Acquisitions

Location: San Diego, CA

Position Summary

Illumina is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Mergers & Acquisitions to lead our M&A initiatives. This leader will drive Illumina’s inorganic and long-term growth strategy, overseeing the end-to-end M&A lifecycle from systematic proactive target identification and due diligence to negotiation, execution, and post-merger integration. The role requires deep expertise in deal structuring, financial modeling, and strategic analysis, as well as strong leadership capabilities to influence cross-functional stakeholders and executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Illumina’s global M&A strategy, identifying and evaluating acquisition targets that drive business growth, scalability, and strategic alignment.
• Execute a balanced M&A strategy, ensuring bolt-on acquisitions remain accretive without increasing P&L burn while identifying strategic tuck-ins and high-growth opportunities. Lead the full M&A lifecycle, including target screening, valuation, due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, and integration planning.
• Partner closely with executive leadership, finance, legal, and business unit leaders to assess and drive strategic inorganic growth opportunities.
• Conduct financial modeling, valuation analysis, and scenario planning to support decision-making.
• Builds and oversees a robust “Gold-Standard” due diligence processes, ensuring comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Drive deal negotiations and structuring, balancing financial and strategic objectives while managing risk.
• Lead integration planning and execution to ensure seamless transition and maximize deal value.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external advisors, investment banks, legal counsel, and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities in the life sciences and genomics sector.
• Present key findings, recommendations, deal progress and quarterly M&A and strategic investment updates to executive leadership and the Board.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing M&A team, fostering a results-driven and collaborative culture.
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• 15+ years of experience in M&A, corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or strategic finance, with a proven record of executing complex transactions.
• 5+ years of Experience building and leading high-performing M&A teams, including corporate development professionals, analysts, and integration specialists.
• Strong background in the life sciences, biotech, or healthcare technology sectors preferred.
• Exceptional financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills with the ability to assess strategic and financial implications of potential deals.
• Expertise in transaction structuring, negotiation, and deal execution, including cross-border M&A.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive integration efforts post-acquisition.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of regulatory, legal, and compliance considerations in M&A transactions.
• Experience managing investment banks, legal advisors, consultants, and other third-party deal partners.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
  
  

The estimated base salary range for the VP, Mergers & Acquisitions role based in the United States of America is: $261,100 - $391,700. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants.