Job Title: Merger & Acquisitions Director

Our client has achieved significant growth through acquisition, closing 40 transactions over the past eight years. Looking ahead, they aim to double that success targeting another 40 acquisitions over the next six years to accelerate their national footprint.

Job Summary

Our client is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader to build our Mergers & Acquisitions function.

As M&A, Director, you will play a central role in shaping and executing our clients inorganic growth strategy. This position is ideal for a highly motivated professional with proven experience sourcing, evaluating, and executing transactions particularly within the small-to-mid-sized business (SMB) or
founder-led space.

You will own the full deal life cycle from identifying opportunities and building relationships with target companies, to driving due diligence, structuring deals, and facilitating smooth integrations. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role with significant interaction across the executive team, including the CEO, CFO, and President. You will also mentor junior M&A team members and work closely with external advisors to advance our clients long-term growth goals.

The current President, M&A is planning for retirement and will remain actively involved over the next 12 months to mentor and support your transition. This is a rare opportunity for hands-on knowledge transfer and development, with the expectation that you will fully assume leadership of the function within 6-12 months of hire and transition to report directly to the CEO.

Key Responsibilities

M&A Strategy & Pipeline Development

Lead the development and evolution of our clients M&A strategy in alignment with corporate objectives and market dynamics.

Build and maintain a robust acquisition pipeline across current and adjacent markets, focusing on high-quality small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) within the payroll and human capital management (HCM) space.

Proactively sources deals through direct outreach, networking, referrals, and strategic partnerships.

Relationship Management & Deal Sourcing

Cultivate relationships with business owners, founders, CPAs, brokers, and other key influencers.

Represent our client at industry events, conferences, and trade shows to increase visibility and uncover new opportunities.

Deal Execution

Manage end-to-end transaction execution including due diligence, financial modeling, valuation, negotiations, and deal structuring.

Lead cross-functional deal teams, ensuring alignment across finance, legal, operations, and executive leadership.

Prepare and present deal recommendations to the executive team and board.

Team Leadership & Operational Excellence

Supervise and mentor M&A Associates and Analysts, fostering development and accountability.

Maintain CRM discipline and manage pipeline reporting, deal metrics, and KPIs.

Design scalable frameworks to evaluate, prioritize, and integrate acquisition opportunities efficiently.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.

5-8 years of relevant experience in M&A, corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or similar fields.

Demonstrated success leading SMB or founder-led transactions from sourcing to close.

Strong financial modeling and analytical skills with a deep understanding of deal mechanics.

Exceptional relationship-building and communication abilities.

Highly organized, resourceful, and comfortable working cross-functionally in a dynamic, growth- stage environment.

High degree of discretion, emotional intelligence, and executive presence.