Senior Business Development Associate

About the Role

This role is offered through a partner company and involves sourcing acquisition prospects within the vertical software market. Based in the United Arab Emirates, this position entails identifying promising firms, connecting with senior leadership, and developing a robust pipeline for potential acquisitions. It blends market research, outreach, relationship cultivation, plus collaboration with mergers and acquisitions teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Discover new markets, industries, and software categories to unveil acquisition opportunities.
• Research target companies and identify key decision-makers such as CEOs, founders, and advisors.
• Build and sustain strong industry relationships with software executives and investment professionals.
• Create and deliver persuasive value proposals to potential acquisition candidates.
• Manage Salesforce CRM tasks, including account tracking, outreach, follow-ups, and prioritization.
• Develop and implement business development strategies, workflows, and best practices for sourcing success.
• Set and achieve business development goals on quarterly, monthly, and weekly timelines.
• Consistently surpass sourcing KPIs like discovery calls, follow-ups, and qualified leads.
• Efficiently qualify acquisition prospects to focus M&A efforts on high-potential opportunities.
• Work independently with close coordination with M&A leadership to advance acquisition prospects.
• Establish KPIs, protocols, and accountability measures to enhance the business development function.
• Share effective outreach and relationship management techniques and provide coaching to team members.

Candidate Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of business development or sales experience in software companies or client-facing M&A, finance, sales, or account management roles.
• Proven track record in sourcing at least one completed M&A transaction.
• Experience in acquisition-driven environments is highly desirable.
• Comprehension of core financial and SaaS metrics such as revenue, churn rates, gross dollar retention, costs, expenses, and annual recurring revenue.
• Excellent communication abilities with confidence engaging C-suite executives and investment professionals.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, capable of engaging difficult-to-reach decision-makers.
• Highly organized with a keen attention to detail to balance multiple relationships and priorities.
• Proactive, diligent work ethic with a sense of urgency.
• Comfortable working autonomously and collaborating effectively with senior M&A leaders.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced, entrepreneurial settings and develop new strategies.
• Flexible availability to accommodate international stakeholders and business demands.
• Passion for growing the business development function and scaling sourcing operations.
• Preferred experience in vertical software markets including GovTech, LegalTech, Healthcare, Industrial, or Finance.
• Advanced qualifications like an MBA or CFA are advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Fully remote work environment.
• Prospects for professional growth and career development.
• Exposure to mergers and acquisitions, executive relationship building, and software acquisition practices.
• Collaboration with a diverse global team and significant autonomy.
• Employer contributions toward a retirement savings plan (RRSP).
• Direct impact on identifying and advancing future acquisition targets and business expansion.

Additional Information

This role offers high independence in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with strong partnership from senior M&A leaders. Candidates must be willing to occasionally work flexible hours to align with international teams. The selection process is managed by the partner company.