Deal Origination Associate (Sell-Side M&A)

Chapter International; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapter International is building a new-kind of investment bank in London, advising exceptional founders on the sale of their businesses and other strategic transactions. You will identify founder-led targets, engage directly with owners, and generate qualified opportunities with potential to lead pitches and mandates.

We welcome candidates across career stages, from junior to Associate/Senior Associate, tailoring scope and responsibility to capability.

Qualifications

• Proactive outreach to founders and business owners.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Commercially curious with interest in M&A and valuation.
• Organised, meticulous and able to follow opportunities through the process.
• Willingness to learn in a performance-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify founder-led companies that fit Chapter’s criteria.
• Outreach to owners via personalised campaigns and networks.
• Generate and qualify meetings, understand shareholders’ objectives.
• Build and manage a CRM pipeline from first contact to potential mandates.
• Support pitches and commercial discussions, increasing responsibility over time.
• Develop sector knowledge across Consumer & eCommerce, Digital Marketing & Agencies, and SaaS.

Skills

Proactive outreach

Excellent communication

Commercial curiosity

Strong organisation

Growth mindset

Job description

London | Founder-facing origination | Reports to Founder

Chapter International is building a new kind of investment bank. Our ambition is to become the most exciting, globally established, AI-native specialist investment bank across Consumer & eCommerce, Digital Marketing & Agencies, and SaaS. We combine specialist M&A expertise, entrepreneurial thinking and a technology-first mindset to advise exceptional founders on the sale of their businesses and other strategic transactions. Already, approximately 70% of our mandates are in the US, giving our team genuine international exposure from London.

We are at an exciting stage of our journey: an established platform with the ambition, energy and appetite to build something significantly bigger. We are investing in people and AI-enabled ways of working to scale our reach and deliver an outstanding advisory experience. We want ambitious people who are excited by that challenge, not simply looking for their next job, but eager to help build a firm they can be proud of.

This opportunity is open to candidates at different stages of their careers, from an ambitious junior with the right commercial instincts to an experienced Associate or Senior Associate ready for greater ownership. The scope and level of responsibility will be tailored to the successful candidate. You will help identify compelling businesses, engage directly with founders and generate qualified sell-side opportunities, with the potential to lead pitches and mandate conversions as your experience and capability allow.

The role

• Research, identify and prioritise founder-led companies that fit Chapter’s sector coverage and transaction criteria.


• Proactively engage owners through personalised outbound campaigns, direct outreach, professional networks, referral sources and relevant industry events.


• Generate and qualify introductory founder meetings, understand shareholders’ objectives and identify potential M&A advisory opportunities.


• Build, maintain and progress an active CRM pipeline from first contact through founder discussions, valuation meetings and potential signed mandates.


• Prepare company and sector research, review headline financial information and support indicative valuations and pitch materials in collaboration with the execution team.


• Support or participate in founder pitches and commercial discussions, with increasing responsibility for independently managing relationships and converting mandates as capability develops.


• Develop deep sector knowledge across Consumer & eCommerce, Digital Marketing & Agencies, and SaaS; contribute insights to targeted origination campaigns.


• Help maintain and expand relationships with business owners, advisers, investors and potential strategic acquirers, while accurately reporting pipeline activity and progress.

What we are looking for

• A motivated, resilient and commercially curious individual who enjoys proactive outreach and speaking directly with founders and business owners.


• Excellent written and verbal communication, confidence building rapport, strong organisation and the discipline to follow through on opportunities.


• Financial literacy and an interest in business valuation and M&A; ability to interpret basic company financials is more important than advanced modelling expertise.


• Demonstrable initiative, sound judgement, emotional intelligence and a willingness to learn in a performance-driven environment.


• We welcome applications at all levels, from high-potential junior candidates to experienced Associates and Senior Associates. Relevant experience in M&A, corporate finance, financial services, specialist B2B business development or founder-facing sales is valued, but we will prioritise ability, drive and commercial potential over a particular job title or number of years worked.


• Genuine interest in our three sectors and the ambition to help build a globally recognised firm; willingness to attend industry events and travel internationally when required. German or Spanish language skills are welcome.

Why Chapter International?

Few roles offer this level of exposure to the people and decisions behind real transactions. From day one, you will speak with founders, learn how businesses are valued and sold, and see the direct commercial impact of your work. You will work closely with the Founder and experienced dealmakers in a high-trust, high-expectation environment where initiative is recognised and progression is earned. Whether you are early in your career or already operating at Associate level, there is room to take ownership, grow quickly and help shape a firm you are genuinely proud to be part of.