Business Development Associate

Job Description

The Opportunity

My client is seeking a Business Development Associate to originate qualified conversations with middle-market business owners exploring a company sale, recapitalization, or capital raise. You will work an assigned prospect universe and create genuine opportunities for senior advisory consultations.

This is a front-end origination role rather than transaction execution. Your responsibility is to build owner interest, qualify the opportunity and its timing, and earn the meeting. Senior advisors and Vice Presidents lead valuation, deal terms, and execution after the handoff.

What You Will Do

• Develop opportunities from an assigned universe of middle-market business owners, working roughly three live leads per workday.

• Execute the firm’s documented scripts, outreach sequences, qualification criteria, and objection-handling approach.

• Determine whether an owner has real interest in selling or raising capital, and qualify the timing.

• Schedule qualified Google Meet consultations for a Vice President, targeting approximately one meeting per day.

• Maintain a disciplined follow-up cadence, including prospects not yet ready for a transaction.

• Prioritize conversations and consistent outreach rather than relying only on initial responses.

• Record all activity and prospect outcomes accurately so conversion rates can be measured and coached.

• Transition booked prospects to senior advisors without quoting valuations, structures, or deal terms.

What You Bring

• Prior outbound sales or prospecting experience, preferably in a high-ticket, high-consideration environment.

• Ability to sustain high conversation volume and follow-up without close supervision.

• Willingness to follow a structured methodology instead of improvising the sales process.

• Clear communication and credibility when speaking with privately held business owners.

• Commitment to studying the basics of M&A and capital raises; prior finance experience is not required.

• Readiness for commissions tied to closed engagements, with initial payments typically taking 60 to 75 days.

• Full-time availability Monday through Friday; this is not a part-time opportunity.

• Must be based in the United States.

Compensation: 25% of retainers on originated engagements. At a $40,000 average retainer, commission is $10,000 per closed engagement. On-target earnings: approximately $120,000/year (not guaranteed); uncapped. Paid when the firm receives payment.

Why Join

Work with proven prospecting systems, one-day onboarding, live objection-handling practice, group sales training three times weekly, weekly manager 1:1s, and a library of 30+ recorded calls. A defined promotion path leads to Vice President, Business Development for strong performers.