Business Development Associate - Mergers & Acquisitions

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Business Development Associate - Mergers & Acquisitions based in Canada.** This role offers the opportunity to support strategic growth initiatives by identifying and developing acquisition opportunities within the software industry. You will play a key part in building relationships with founders, executives, and business owners while expanding the acquisition pipeline. Working closely with senior leadership, you will research markets, uncover new opportunities, and help advance potential transactions. The position combines business development, market research, relationship management, and analytical thinking in a dynamic environment. You will have the opportunity to gain deep exposure to mergers and acquisitions while contributing directly to long-term growth strategies. If you are curious, proactive, and motivated by building meaningful relationships and creating measurable business impact, this role offers an exciting career opportunity. ### Accountabilities: As a Business Development Associate - Mergers & Acquisitions, you will be responsible for identifying acquisition opportunities, engaging with potential targets, and supporting the growth of the M&A pipeline. You will combine research, outreach, relationship-building, and analytical skills to uncover valuable opportunities and support successful deal progression. - Research software markets, industries, and emerging sectors to identify attractive acquisition opportunities. - Build and maintain prospect lists of potential acquisition targets through market analysis and business research. - Develop and execute outreach campaigns through email, outbound calling, networking, and other channels. - Communicate acquisition strategies and value propositions professionally with founders, owners, and executives. - Build trusted relationships with software business leaders and key decision-makers. - Track conversations, insights, activities, and opportunities within CRM systems while maintaining strong data accuracy. - Analyze outreach performance and continuously improve prospecting strategies to increase engagement. - Collaborate with internal M&A teams to support qualified opportunities through evaluation, due diligence, and deal execution. - Stay informed on industry trends, business models, and market developments to identify new opportunities. - Provide insights and recommendations based on market research and prospect interactions. ## Requirements: The ideal candidate is a proactive and relationship-oriented professional with strong business development skills, curiosity, and the ability to thrive in a research-driven environment. - 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, mergers and acquisitions sourcing, or a related field. - Strong written and verbal communication skills with a professional and engaging approach. - Ability to conduct market research, identify business opportunities, and generate actionable insights. - Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to connect with founders, executives, and business owners. - Self-motivated and organized, with excellent prioritization and multitasking abilities. - Comfortable working toward measurable goals, outreach targets, and pipeline development objectives. - Strong business acumen and the ability to quickly understand different industries and business models. - Detail-oriented approach with strong CRM discipline and pipeline management skills. - Proficiency with Salesforce, Excel, and PowerPoint. - Experience with tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Outreach.io, or Apollo is considered an asset. - Bachelor’s degree with strong academic performance; MBA or graduate education is an asset but not required. - Interest in software, technology businesses, and the mergers & acquisitions landscape is highly valued. ## Benefits: - Competitive compensation range of **$…