Corporate Development Lead (M&A Closer / Player-Coach)

Axe Recruiting; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Axe Recruiting partners with a confidential, high-growth behavioral health organization to lead M&A deal execution across the U.S., starting in New York.

The Corporate Development Lead will own sourcing, valuation, LOIs, and closes, mentor a growing team, and report progress to senior leadership while driving investor-aligned terms.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in mergers & acquisitions, investment banking, private equity, or healthcare corporate development.
• Proven history of closing multi-site healthcare transactions.
• Strong understanding of valuation concepts (EBITDA, revenue multiples).
• Leadership capability to coach juniors while closing deals.
• Excellent negotiation skills and investor-friendly structuring.
• Based in or able to commute to Nassau County, NY.

Responsibilities

• Deal Sourcing & Closing: Take qualified opportunities through valuation, negotiation, LOI, and close.
• Negotiation Leadership: Structure favorable terms, manage counteroffers, and secure strong purchase economics.
• Player-Coach Leadership: Mentor and guide the M&A Openers team, ensuring origination excellence and consistent pipeline flow.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate trusted relationships with practice owners, advisors, attorneys, and financial partners.
• Financial & Strategic Support: Assist in financial vetting, valuation alignment, and due diligence preparation.
• Pipeline Reporting: Maintain a consistent deal pipeline and provide weekly progress reports to senior leadership.

Skills

M&A

Healthcare

Investment Banking

Private Equity

Leadership

Excel

Tools

Excel

Job description

About the Opportunity

Axe Recruiting is partnering with a confidential, high-growth behavioral health organization to support their aggressive acquisition strategy across the United States-beginning in New York and select regional markets.

We are seeking a Corporate Development Lead (M&A Closer / Player-Coach) with a strong background in M&A, healthcare corporate development, or private investment to take ownership of deal execution and lead a growing team of originators. This role is ideal for a dealmaker who thrives in fast-paced, high-autonomy environments and is motivated by a blend of stable compensation and performance-driven upside.

Key Responsibilities

• Deal Sourcing & Closing: Take qualified opportunities through valuation, negotiation, LOI, and close.
• Negotiation Leadership: Structure favorable terms, manage counteroffers, and secure strong purchase economics.
• Player-Coach Leadership: Mentor and guide the M&A Openers team, ensuring origination excellence and consistent pipeline flow.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate trusted relationships with practice owners, advisors, attorneys, and financial partners.
• Financial & Strategic Support: Assist in financial vetting, valuation alignment, and due diligence preparation.
• Pipeline Reporting: Maintain a consistent deal pipeline and provide weekly progress reports to senior leadership.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Experience: 3-5+ years in mergers & acquisitions, investment banking, private equity, or healthcare corporate development.
• Track Record: Proven history of closing multi-site healthcare or behavioral health transactions.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of valuation principles (EBITDA, revenue multiples).
• Leadership: Ability to coach junior team members while driving deals personally.
• Negotiation-Savvy: Skilled at creating win-win deal structures while protecting investor economics.
• Location: Based in or able to commute to Nassau County, NY, with access to the New York market.

Compensation Structure

This role includes a base salary plus commissions, structured to reward leadership and successful closings:

• Base Salary: $85,000 - $110,000 (U.S.), depending on experience
• Deal Commission: 0.50% of underwritten enterprise value (EV) closed
• Savings Commission: 2.50% of negotiated purchase-price savings
• Total Earnings Potential: $150,000+ annually, combining salary with closing success
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package and performance-based incentives

Commission Examples

• $2M Deal (EV):
  • Base Commission = $10,000
  • Plus negotiated savings (e.g., $150K savings = $3,750)
  • Total Example: ~$13,750
• $5M Deal (EV):
  • Base Commission = $25,000
  • Plus negotiated savings (e.g., $400K savings = $10,000)
  • Total Example: ~$35,000
• Multiple Closings Per Year: Earnings potential scales substantially, with six-figure upside tied to successful transactions.

Why Work With Us

• Partner directly with decision-makers in a nimble, high-growth organization.
• Execute meaningful transactions that expand access to behavioral health across the U.S.
• Operate with autonomy, clear incentives, and leadership responsibility.
• Backed by a team prepared to move quickly on qualified opportunities.