The Opportunity:
My client is seeking an accomplished Vice President of Deal Origination / Business Development to support the continued growth of a middle market M&A advisory practice. You will engage qualified inbound business owners, lead high-value advisory conversations, assess strategic fit and transaction readiness, and convert strong opportunities into signed sell-side M&A engagements. This is a senior-level, relationship-driven role at the intersection of business development, deal origination, and strategic advisory. You will represent the firm with founders and privately held business owners, build confidence in the M&A process, create momentum through the decision cycle, and ensure each newly engaged client transitions into execution with clear expectations and strong internal alignment.
What You Will Do:
Lead high-value consultations with pre-qualified founders and owners of middle market businesses considering a sale, recapitalization, or other liquidity event.
Uncover company background, owner objectives, transaction timing, valuation expectations, decision criteria, and potential barriers to engagement.
Evaluate transaction readiness and strategic fit while identifying the owner’s advisory needs and desired outcome.
Position the firm’s sell-side M&A process, capabilities, market approach, deliverables, and value proposition in clear, credible language.
Develop trusted relationships across the decision cycle and create momentum through thoughtful follow-up, decisive next steps, and consistent communication.
Navigate sophisticated questions and concerns related to valuation, timing, fees, confidentiality, market positioning, and the advisory process.
Advance qualified opportunities from initial consultation through proposal discussions and executed engagement letters.
Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline visibility, forecasts, conversion activity, and relevant client context for senior banker handoff.
What You BringSenior-level sales or business development experience in a trust-based B2B environment, with demonstrated success closing complex, high-value services or advisory engagements.
Executive presence and the ability to communicate credibly with founders, privately held business owners, and senior executives in high-stakes situations.
Strong discovery, presentation, negotiation, objection-handling, relationship-building, and pipeline-management skills.
Strong business acumen, commercial judgment, and the ability to simplify complex financial and advisory concepts without overselling them.
Experience in M&A, investment banking, private equity, financial services, business brokerage, consulting, accounting, or related professional services is preferred.
Comfort with performance targets, accountability, and a 100% commission-only compensation model.
Available to work remotely from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time.
Must be based in the United States.
Why Join:
You will work with qualified inbound opportunities, engage directly with business owners at pivotal moments, collaborate closely with experienced M&A professionals, and have uncapped earning potential tied directly to the advisory engagements you help originate and secure.