Senior Associate, M&A & Corporate Development

Overview

This role strengthens acquisition execution capabilities and builds the analytical infrastructure needed for the next stage of growth. Reporting to the VP of M&A, the Senior Associate, M&A & Corporate Development manages post-LOI diligence day-to-day execution, supports transaction underwriting, and develops tools for evaluating markets and managing a growing pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Post-LOI execution: Coordinate signed-LOI transactions through closing, including comprehensive diligence trackers, request lists, milestones, dependencies, advisor follow-ups, and escalation of issues to the VP of M&A.
• Financial diligence and underwriting: Analyze financial statements and performance (including historical and trailing-twelve-month), normalized EBITDA, working capital, capital expenditure requirements, and other transaction economics. Support transaction models, sensitivities, and reconcile diligence findings to original underwriting.
• Advisor and documentation coordination: Coordinate with quality-of-earnings providers, legal counsel, environmental and property advisors, insurance and benefits providers, and other specialists. Track definitive documentation, closing requirements, and outstanding decisions, while legal counsel owns legal drafting and advice.
• Pre-close planning and handoff: Identify operational, people, systems, payroll, benefits, OEM, property, and other transition dependencies early. Ensure functional leaders receive decision-ready information so each stakeholder knows requirements at each stage, and coordinate readiness and handoffs for post-close integration.
• M&A support and decision materials: Support the VP of M&A in pipeline qualification, financial analysis, investment summaries, LOI preparation, and commercial evaluation. Surface material risks promptly and help preserve disciplined underwriting through closing.
• Market intelligence and sourcing analytics: Build and maintain market-level research on dealerships, OEM footprints and certifications, vehicle registrations, local competition, collision capacity, demographics, and acquisition targets. Partner with the VP of Business Development to make research useful for target prioritization (while that leader owns origination and seller relationship stewardship).
• Dashboards, data and automation: Build practical reporting and workflow tools for pipeline visibility, diligence status, open issues, deadlines, and transaction throughput. Identify responsible uses of AI and automation with appropriate data verification, confidentiality, and human review.
• Continuous improvement: Standardize diligence templates, transaction playbooks, information architecture, and lessons learned across deals. Assist in developing processes that enable more acquisitions without proportionate administrative burden.

Requirements

• Experience: Approximately 3–6 years of experience in investment banking, transaction advisory, corporate development, private equity, or a related transaction-focused finance role; lower-middle-market experience preferred.
• Financial modeling & analysis: Strong Excel-based financial modeling, valuation, and financial-statement analysis skills, with working understanding of QoE, EBITDA adjustments, working capital, and purchase price mechanics.
• Transaction execution exposure: Direct experience with buy-side diligence, transaction execution, or complex sell-side processes; ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously and communicate effectively with third-party advisors.
• Comfort with complexity: Ability to work with founder-owned and multi-site businesses, imperfect information, and transaction timelines that require urgency and flexibility.
• Industry ramp: Collision/automotive/multi-site services experience is a plus but not required; demonstrated ability to ramp quickly in an unfamiliar industry is more important.
• Data tooling and automation: Evidence of building useful models, data workflows, dashboards, or automations. Experience with modern AI tools is a plus, but curiosity and thoughtful application are more important than any particular platform.
• Execution & judgment: Exceptional organization, accuracy, follow-through, and sound judgment, plus the interpersonal skill to build trust with founder-sellers and work effectively with operators, counsel, advisors, and senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lower-middle-market experience
• Experience in collision, automotive, or multi-site services
• Experience with modern AI tools
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly ramp in an unfamiliar industry

Compensation & Benefits

• Target total cash compensation: approximately $100,000.00–$150,000.00 per year, depending on experience and capabilities, including base salary and a performance-based cash incentive.
• Long-term equity: Long-term equity participation may be considered based on experience, role scope, and individual contribution.
• Benefits: 401(k) with matching; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays.

Location

Preferably based in New York City, working day-to-day alongside the VP of M&A, though candidates in other locations will be considered for the right fit. Regardless of location, the role requires willingness to travel for diligence, site visits, team collaboration, and transactions as needed.