M&A Business Development Director (Acquisition Search)

SJC Partners is supporting a fast-growing specialist M&A origination business with the appointment of an Acquisition Search Director. The firm works with private equity investors, PE-backed businesses and acquisitive corporates and PLCs to build targeted pipelines of off-market acquisition opportunities aligned with each client's specific investment criteria. Following continued growth, they are looking to appoint an experienced senior operator who can lead acquisition search mandates, supported by a research and target outreach team. We are interested in candidates who have operated at a senior level, either within M&A or in a senior commercial or industry role.

The Role

• Lead client relationships and acquisition search mandates
• Build pipelines of off-market acquisition opportunities, supported by a dedicated research team
• Engage directly with founders, owners, CEOs and shareholders
• Position clients credibly and compellingly to prospective acquisition targets
• Handle senior-level conversations, objections and commercially sensitive discussions
• Assess strategic fit and identify the strongest acquisition opportunities
• Manage target relationships from initial engagement through to introduction and ongoing discussions
• Create acquisition opportunities that would be unlikely to reach the open market

This is a highly autonomous role. You will take ownership of your mandates while working alongside an experienced team of senior Acquisition Search Directors.

About You

You will have operated at a senior level and be comfortable engaging with business owners, management teams, investors and boards. The current team includes individuals who have previously run businesses, held Corporate Development Director-level positions and operated in senior roles within PE-backed organisations. You therefore do not need to be a traditional M&A professional. The business is more interested in commercial judgement, sector credibility and the ability to build senior relationships.

Why Join?

• Join a fast-growing specialist M&A origination business
• Work directly with private equity, PE-backed and corporate/PLC clients
• Use your sector expertise in a genuinely strategic role
• Highly autonomous and senior-level position

support

• Fully remote
• Uncapped bonus linked to fee income