Associate, Corporate Development

Aquila; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent software investment firm in Toronto seeks an Associate for Corporate Development. This role focuses on sourcing deals and building relationships with founder-led software companies across North America. Candidates should have experience in business development or sales and possess strong market analysis skills. The position is hybrid, requiring visits to the Toronto office multiple times a month. Join a dynamic environment that fosters career growth and significant impact.

Benefits

Exposure to executive teams

Autonomy in structuring your day

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development or sales.
• Ability to engage with CEOs and owner-operators.
• Experience in corporate finance, M&A, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage founder-led software companies.
• Conduct in-depth research for potential acquisition opportunities.
• Maintain Salesforce CRM for pipeline management.

Skills

Business development experience

Relationship building skills

Market analysis

Quantitative reasoning

Persuasion and communication

Tools

Salesforce

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Job description

Overview

Aquila is part of Constellation Software Inc. and invests in category-defining B2B/B2G software companies globally. We are a well-managed, profitable company that operates like a startup with the financial backing of a parent company, offering limitless possibilities for our people.

We are uniquely positioned to respond to the needs of the markets we operate in. We have ambitious goals and are looking for genuine contributors with integrity, energy, flexibility, and loyalty. We are investing in building future leaders who can take an idea and make things happen.

What we are looking for

We are hiring an Associate, Corporate Development to join our North American business development team in Toronto. This is a unique opportunity to build a career at the intersection of software, investing, and executive relationship management. As a key member of our global deal-sourcing function, you will identify, qualify, and build relationships with founder-led software companies for potential acquisition across North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In this role, you will research markets, prospect and qualify opportunities, and nurture relationships through thoughtful, persistent outreach to build a strong pipeline of potential investment opportunities.

This is a hybrid role with the need to visit our Toronto office 3-4 times per month.

Who you are

You have proven experience in business development or sales, gained in corporate finance, management consulting, software sales, asset/wealth management, or a related field. You bring a balance of business acumen and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage founder-led companies and identify potential opportunities. Confident and curious, you know how to establish credibility with CEOs and owner-operators, nurture meaningful conversations, and maintain momentum through thoughtful, persistent outreach.

What’s in it for you

Exposure and impact. You will work directly with the founders and executive teams of potential acquisition targets, building relationships that open the door to meaningful conversations about partnership and succession. Internally, you will collaborate closely with the M&A team, progressing from first outreach through to acquisition. You will have autonomy in how you structure your day, while gaining hands-on experience that bridges sales, strategy, and investment.

A unique environment. You are not selling a product—you are initiating conversations about buy-side opportunities. Our approach combines the pace and energy of private equity with the long-term, strategic focus of corporate development. You will engage with decision-makers who are often open to dialogue, giving you the chance to develop real relationships and insight into how founder-led companies operate and grow.

Career development. This is an opportunity to transition from a sales, business development, or deal-focused M&A role into the role of a buy-side corporate development expert. You will gain exposure to acquisition strategy, deal evaluation, and relationship management—skills that will position you for growth within corporate development. Constellation Software’s long track record of acquiring and growing software companies will support you, with mentorship and a culture that prioritizes learning, promotion, and professional development in an autonomous and self-directed role.

How you will make an impact

• Deal sourcing and relationship building. You will proactively identify and engage founder-led software companies through outbound channels such as cold calls, digital outreach, email, conferences, and industry networks. You will position Aquila as the ideal long-term capital partner for mission-critical software companies, building and nurturing trusted relationships with C-suite executives, management teams, and intermediaries including investment banks, advisors, lawyers, and consultants. You will also gain a working knowledge of Aquila’s individual business units, their competitive landscapes, and market positioning.
• Research, analysis, and screening. You will conduct in-depth product, market, and financial research to identify and qualify new and existing acquisition opportunities. You will generate market maps and competitive analyses, leveraging tools such as CapIQ, SourceScrub, SalesForce, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator to source and assess prospects. You will work closely with senior M&A and corporate development leaders to evaluate strategic fit, growth potential, and industry dynamics.
• CRM and process management. You will maintain Salesforce CRM to manage the pipeline, document conversations, and monitor KPI-driven metrics. You will ensure data accuracy, reporting consistency, and compliance with internal CRM standards across the corporate development pipeline.
• Cross-functional collaboration. You will partner with senior M&A and business operations leaders across Aquila’s global portfolio—from banking, lending and finance, higher education, media and publishing, retail, and government—to align on acquisition opportunities. You will prepare research, briefs, and presentations to support internal investment committees and decision-making processes.

You will bring

• The knowledge. You have experience in business development, investment banking, M&A, private equity, venture capital, or in B2B account management at financial institutions or professional services firms. You understand how to analyze markets, products, and financials, and you can apply quantitative reasoning to strategic decisions. You understand or have a keen interest to develop a strong understanding of M&A transactions and Constellation Software’s approach to permanent software investing.
• The interpersonal skills. You are persuasive, articulate, and credible in strategic high-pressure discussions with C-suite executives. You can build rapport and trust, manage objections, and inspire ongoing communication.
• The drive. You are intrinsically motivated, outcome-obsessed, and comfortable making independent decisions in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment. You are attracted to a role where performance directly ties to results, with commissions tied to the number of new leads added and the conversion of leads into qualified opportunities.
• The flexibility. You are based in the GTA, Canada, and are comfortable working primarily remotely with occasional travel to events and meetings.

Why join?

Aquila is a division of Constellation Software Inc., one of the largest and most successful software companies in Canada and the most successful technology stock in Canada over the last 10 years.

Our entrepreneurial culture, lean environment, and people unite to form a dynamic organization where purpose drives our growth. This is a place where high performance and hard work are rewarded, where leaders are grown, and where the best ideas win. With the autonomy to be creative and curious, we collaborate and iterate to achieve real impact in the communities we support.

We spend our days asking questions and challenging the status quo, manipulating our structure, roles, and internal operations to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

If you share our growth mindset, relationship-focused approach, and high moral fiber, you will thrive at Aquila.

Apply now

Diversity and inclusion are not mere words on paper to us. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have most of the qualifications we are seeking, and want to play an integral role in our success, apply to express your interest.

What you can expect from our interview process

1. A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and how you will make an impact. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
2. A virtual interview with the Team Lead, Corporate Development to discuss your outreach tactics in past business development and sales roles, your knowledge and understanding of M&A, and your motivation for applying to this role.
3. An opportunity to prepare and present a case study to the Team Lead, Corporate Development to demonstrate your business development approach and expertise.
4. A final interview with the SVP and Team Lead to align your skills and goals with the needs and objectives of the company. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions about the role, growth opportunities, and the team.

Aquila welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.