Managing Director

Managing Director – Software M&A Investment Banking

Location: New York, NY

Industry: Investment Banking / Software & Technology

Firm: Middle-Market Investment Bank

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Firm

We are a leading middle-market investment bank focused on advising entrepreneurs, founders, private equity sponsors, and corporate clients on strategic transactions across the software and technology sectors. The firm provides M&A advisory, capital raising, strategic advisory, and other corporate finance services to companies ranging from emerging growth businesses to established middle-market enterprises.

We are seeking an experienced Managing Director to join our New York team and play a senior leadership role in expanding the firm's software investment banking practice.

Position Overview

The Managing Director will be responsible for developing and maintaining senior-level relationships with software company executives, founders, private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and other institutional investors, while leading the origination and execution of M&A and strategic advisory transactions.

The ideal candidate will be an established investment banking professional with a strong track record of originating and executing middle-market software transactions. This individual should possess significant industry relationships, a demonstrated ability to generate new business, and the judgment and leadership skills required to serve as a trusted advisor to CEOs, founders, Boards of Directors, and financial sponsors.

This is a highly entrepreneurial opportunity for a senior banker who wants to have significant influence over the growth of a software-focused investment banking franchise.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Origination

• Develop and execute a strategy to expand the firm's software M&A advisory business.
• Originate new M&A, capital raising, and strategic advisory opportunities through established relationships and proactive business development.
• Build and maintain relationships with software CEOs, founders, Boards of Directors, private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, family offices, and strategic acquirers.
• Identify companies and situations that may represent attractive M&A or financing opportunities.
• Lead pitches and presentations to prospective clients, including developing transaction strategies, valuation analyses, and marketing materials.
• Establish the firm as a trusted advisor to senior executives and owners of middle-market software businesses.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective transactions.

Transaction Leadership

• Serve as the senior banker and primary relationship manager on M&A and strategic advisory engagements.
• Lead transactions from initial client discussions and mandate through closing.
• Develop transaction strategy, positioning, valuation, buyer/investor identification, negotiation strategy, and overall process execution.
• Advise clients on valuation, transaction structure, strategic alternatives, and market dynamics.
• Lead negotiations with buyers, sellers, private equity sponsors, strategic acquirers, and other transaction counterparties.
• Maintain senior-level involvement throughout the transaction process while ensuring successful execution by the broader deal team.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor Vice Presidents, Associates, Analysts, and other members of the investment banking team.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight on transaction execution.
• Review and provide guidance on financial models, valuation analyses, CIMs, management presentations, buyer lists, and other transaction materials.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing investment banking professionals.
• Foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and high-performance culture within the software banking practice.

Market & Industry Expertise

• Maintain deep knowledge of the software and technology M&A landscape.
• Monitor transaction activity, valuation trends, financing markets, strategic buyers, private equity activity, and emerging subsectors within software.
• Develop differentiated perspectives and insights that can be used to advise clients and generate new business.
• Cultivate relationships with strategic and financial buyers to expand the firm's transaction network.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of investment banking experience, with significant experience at the senior banker level.
• Extensive experience advising software and technology companies on M&A and/or capital markets transactions.
• Demonstrated track record of originating and closing middle-market transactions .
• Strong existing relationships with software executives, founders, private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and other relevant market participants.
• Proven ability to independently generate and develop investment banking business.
• Strong understanding of software industry business models, including SaaS, recurring revenue models, vertical software, enterprise software, cybersecurity, fintech, and/or related technology subsectors.
• Exceptional financial, valuation, transaction structuring, and analytical skills.
• Strong understanding of the full M&A process, including business development, valuation, marketing, buyer outreach, due diligence, negotiations, and closing.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop junior investment banking professionals.
• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with the following experience are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Prior Managing Director, Senior Managing Director, or Partner-level experience at an investment bank or advisory firm.
• Significant experience executing transactions in the $50 million–$500 million+ enterprise value range .
• A substantial personal network of software executives, private equity sponsors, strategic buyers, and other institutional investors.
• Experience working with founder-owned and/or sponsor-backed software companies.
• Experience leading sell-side M&A transactions.
• Experience with cross-border software transactions is a plus.
• Existing software-sector franchise or demonstrated ability to build one.

Compensation

Competitive compensation package consisting of base salary, annual bonus, and significant performance-based incentive compensation , commensurate with experience, transaction production, and business development success.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to play a significant role in building and expanding a software-focused middle-market investment banking franchise.
• Meaningful autonomy and responsibility in business development and client relationships.
• Direct exposure to founders, CEOs, Boards of Directors, private equity sponsors, and strategic acquirers.
• Entrepreneurial environment with significant upside for successful senior bankers.
• Opportunity to lead high-profile M&A and strategic advisory transactions.
• Collaborative team environment with experienced investment banking professionals.