Acquisition Growth Lead: Pipeline & Diligence

Ascend Technologies; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement savings options

Flexible time off

Professional development

Job summary

Ascend Technologies is building a repeatable acquisition engine. The Corporate Development Manager drives inorganic growth by building a proprietary pipeline of targets, leading early‑stage discussions with owners, founders, and M&A intermediaries, and coordinating the diligence needed to close deals.

This role pairs a finance background—modeling, valuation, and diligence—with a business‑development mindset, representing Ascend to external sellers and advisors, and handing a clean, well

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity/growth equity, or FP&A with direct deal execution experience.
• Demonstrated financial modeling and valuation skills – comparables, DCF, deal economics.
• Experience sourcing or evaluating deals directly, not only executing deals originated by others.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Deal Sourcing & Business Development: Build and maintain a proprietary pipeline of targets; outbound outreach to owners, founders, and intermediaries.
• Financial Analysis & Diligence: Screen targets, build valuation models, coordinate due diligence with CFO/legal advisors.
• Integration Handoff: Ensure clean handoff to post-close integration and capture lessons for future deals.
• Reporting & Collaboration: Work with CEO/CFO and Acquisition Integration team; report progress to leadership.

Skills

Financial modeling

Valuation

Outbound business development

Deal execution

M&A

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting

CFA or MBA preferred

Job description

Ascend Technologies is building a repeatable acquisition engine. The Corporate Development Manager drives inorganic growth by building a proprietary pipeline of targets, leading early‑stage discussions with owners, founders, and M&A intermediaries, and coordinating the diligence needed to close deals.

This role pairs a finance background—modeling, valuation, and diligence—with a business‑development mindset, representing Ascend to external sellers and advisors, and handing a clean, well