Business Development Associate

Career1Source - Executive Recruiting; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Career1Source - Executive Recruiting seeks an Associate for our Business Development / Corporate Development team with an M&A focus. You will participate in sourcing, evaluating, and executing acquisitions while working closely with senior leadership and investors.

This is ideal for 2–4 years of transaction experience seeking ownership, visibility, and exposure in a fast-paced, PE-backed setting across a growing national platform.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of transaction experience in IB, PE, corporate development, consulting, or advisory.
• Strong financial modeling and analytical capabilities.
• Polished communication skills with senior stakeholders.
• High ownership mentality and genuine interest in M&A/PE.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and execute acquisitions across full M&A lifecycle.
• Support live deals from outreach to close.
• Build and manage a pipeline of targets across markets.
• Engage with business owners and articulate value propositions.
• Conduct market research and support growth strategy initiatives.
• Help build scalable tools and processes for the platform.

Skills

Financial modeling

Analytical skills

Communication

Ownership mindset

Job description

Associate, Business Development (M&A Focus)

Private Equity-Backed | Multi-State Growth Platform

We’re partnering with a high-growth, private equity-backed platform that is actively building a national footprint through an acquisition-driven strategy. Backed by a top-tier sponsor, this organization is scaling rapidly in a highly fragmented industry—creating a unique opportunity to get in early and make a real impact.

The Opportunity

We’re seeking a sharp, driven Associate to join the Business Development / Corporate Development team. This individual will play a hands-on role across the full M&A lifecycle—from sourcing and evaluation through execution—while working directly with senior leadership and investors.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone with 2–4 years of transaction experience who wants more ownership, visibility, and exposure in a fast-paced, PE-backed environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Evaluate and execute acquisitions, including financial modeling, valuation, and due diligence
• Support live deals from initial outreach through close
• Build and manage a pipeline of acquisition targets across multiple markets
• Engage directly with business owners and articulate a compelling value proposition
• Conduct market research and support broader growth strategy initiatives
• Help build scalable tools and processes to support a growing M&A platform

What We’re Looking For

• 2–4 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, consulting, or transaction advisory
• Strong financial modeling and analytical capabilitiesi>Ability to operate in a fast-moving, high-accountability environment
• Polished communication skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders
• High ownership mentality and genuine interest in M&A and private equity

Why This Role

• Direct exposure to the full deal lifecycle and live transactions
• Meaningful interaction with executive leadership and investors
• Opportunity to help build a national platform from the ground up
• Strong compensation, equity upside, and long-term career trajectory

If you’re looking for a role where you can roll up your sleeves, take ownership, and be part of a true build story—this is worth a conversation.

*Candidates must be eligible to work in the US as well as meet the qualifications listed above in order to be considered for the Business Development Associate job.