M&A Origination Associate

culliganalabama; Rosemont (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

paid time off

health

dental

vision

life

disability benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Culligan Alabama is seeking an ambitious M&A outbound specialist to drive high-volume lead generation and initial qualification. You will identify target companies, execute structured outreach, and screen founders for strategic fit before passing qualified leads to senior team members.

The role emphasizes resilience, persuasive communication, and the ability to manage a high tempo of daily outreach across multiple channels, with a focus on early discovery and relationship building.

Qualifications

• High resilience, exceptional phone presence, and the ability to handle high rejection rates associated with cold outreach
• Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication to quickly build rapport with busy business founders
• Strong time management skills to manage a high volume of daily touchpoints without letting leads drop
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, communications, or a related field
• Extensive M&A knowledge is helpful but not required
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain lists of target companies utilizing databases like PitchBook, Crunchbase, LinkedIn, as well as 3rd party AI M&A targeting tools
• Execute structured outbound campaigns via cold email, LinkedIn messaging, layered marketing, and cold calling to engage business owners
• Conduct introductory screening calls to gauge founder interest, assess strategic fit, and gather high-level operational metrics
• Meticulously track all outreach, notes, and pipeline stages inside the CRM
• Seamlessly transition qualified, interested founders to senior corporate development professionals or investment analysts for advanced discussions

Skills

Resilience

Persuasive communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance/economics/communications

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Summary

A hands-on M&A role focused on high-volume outbound sourcing, cold outreach, and initial pitch execution. This role will focus on lead generation and initial qualification (first contact to introductory call) of small-to-mid-market business owners, founders, and independent operators. This role will report to the Vice President, Corporate Development.

Key Position Responsibilities

• Build and maintain lists of target companies utilizing databases like PitchBook, Crunchbase, LinkedIn, as well as 3rd party AI M&A targeting tools
• Execute structured outbound campaigns via cold email, LinkedIn messaging, layered marketing, and cold calling to engage business owners
• Conduct introductory screening calls to gauge founder interest, assess strategic fit, and gather high-level operational metrics
• Meticulously track all outreach, notes, and pipeline stages inside the CRM
• Seamlessly transition qualified, interested founders to senior corporate development professionals or investment analysts for advanced discussions

Requirements

• High resilience, exceptional phone presence, and the ability to handle high rejection rates associated with cold outreach
• Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication to quickly build rapport with busy business founders
• Strong time management skills to manage a high volume of daily touchpoints without letting leads drop
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, communications, or a related field
• Extensive M&A technical knowledge is helpful but not required
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Competencies

• Energetic
• Persuasive
• Basic commercial and financial literacy
• Process oriented
• Resilient
• Resourceful
• Tactful
• Accountable

Target Compensation

$75,000 base, plus commission/bonus opportunities of up to 100% of base salary. Expected total annual compensation is $125,000-$150,000.

Full-time positions are eligible for competitive benefits, including

• paid time off
• health
• dental
• vision
• life
• disability benefits
• 401(k)