Vice President Corporate Development

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

The

Vice President, Corporate Development

will report directly to the President of Aqua and serve as a key leader in Aqua’s growth strategy. This role will primarily lead Aqua’s municipal acquisition program and state-level business development efforts, working closely with state presidents and business development managers. The VP will also support Essential’s broader strategy and corporate development (S&CD) function, contributing to strategic transactions and initiatives that align with the company’s long-term goals.

Key Responsibilities Municipal & State Program Leadership (Primary Focus):

- Lead Aqua’s municipal acquisition strategy across all states, developing and managing acquisition pipelines in collaboration with state presidents and business development managers.

- Guide pricing, proposal development, and presentation of municipal opportunities to executive leadership and the Board.

- Maintain deep knowledge of state-level regulatory environments and municipal system dynamics to inform acquisition strategy.

- Serve as the central point of coordination for municipal-focused M&A activities, ensuring alignment with Aqua’s strategic priorities.

- Corporate Development Support (Secondary Focus):

- Support Essential’s corporate development function, including strategic transactions such as joint ventures, alliances, and investments.

- Provide M&A guidance and process leadership across corporate units and states.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, finance, legal, etc.) to execute strategic initiatives.

- Present valuation models and strategic recommendations to the CEO and executive leadership team.

Strategic Analysis & Execution

- Evaluate acquisition targets using quantitative and qualitative analysis, including accretion/dilution modeling.

- Monitor macroeconomic, regulatory, and industry trends to identify risks and opportunities for Aqua.

- Lead internal and external teams through due diligence, financing, negotiations, and transaction management.

Qualifications

- 15+ years of progressive experience, including executive-level leadership and strategic transaction execution.

- Proven experience in municipal acquisitions, corporate development, or related fields.

- Undergraduate degree in engineering, accounting/finance, or economics; advanced degree (MBA, Ph.D., or J.D.) preferred.

- Background in management consulting, investment banking, or private equity is a plus.

- Experience working with lenders, rating agencies, and presenting to senior leadership.

- Willingness to reside in the Philadelphia area and travel up to 30%.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).

To Maintain The Integrity Of The Recruitment Process And To Avoid Real Or Perceived Conflicts Of Interest Due To Employment And/or Assignment Of Family Members And Personal Referrals, Specific Guidelines Apply To The Hiring And Assignment Of These Individuals Including, But Not Limited To

- Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship

- Family members cannot work in the same department.