Managing Director – Software M&A Investment Banking
Location: New York, NY
Industry: Investment Banking / Software & Technology
Firm: Middle-Market Investment Bank
Employment Type: Full-Time
About the Firm
We are a leading middle-market investment bank focused on advising entrepreneurs, founders, private equity sponsors, and corporate clients on strategic transactions across the software and technology sectors. The firm provides M&A advisory, capital raising, strategic advisory, and other corporate finance services to companies ranging from emerging growth businesses to established middle-market enterprises.
We are seeking an experienced Managing Director to join our New York team and play a senior leadership role in expanding the firm's software investment banking practice.
Position Overview
The Managing Director will be responsible for developing and maintaining senior-level relationships with software company executives, founders, private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and other institutional investors, while leading the origination and execution of M&A and strategic advisory transactions.
The ideal candidate will be an established investment banking professional with a strong track record of originating and executing middle-market software transactions. This individual should possess significant industry relationships, a demonstrated ability to generate new business, and the judgment and leadership skills required to serve as a trusted advisor to CEOs, founders, Boards of Directors, and financial sponsors.
This is a highly entrepreneurial opportunity for a senior banker who wants to have significant influence over the growth of a software-focused investment banking franchise.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Origination
- Develop and execute a strategy to expand the firm's software M&A advisory business.
- Originate new M&A, capital raising, and strategic advisory opportunities through established relationships and proactive business development.
- Build and maintain relationships with software CEOs, founders, Boards of Directors, private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, family offices, and strategic acquirers.
- Identify companies and situations that may represent attractive M&A or financing opportunities.
- Lead pitches and presentations to prospective clients, including developing transaction strategies, valuation analyses, and marketing materials.
- Establish the firm as a trusted advisor to senior executives and owners of middle-market software businesses.
- Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective transactions.
Transaction Leadership
- Serve as the senior banker and primary relationship manager on M&A and strategic advisory engagements.
- Lead transactions from initial client discussions and mandate through closing.
- Develop transaction strategy, positioning, valuation, buyer/investor identification, negotiation strategy, and overall process execution.
- Advise clients on valuation, transaction structure, strategic alternatives, and market dynamics.
- Lead negotiations with buyers, sellers, private equity sponsors, strategic acquirers, and other transaction counterparties.
- Maintain senior-level involvement throughout the transaction process while ensuring successful execution by the broader deal team.
- Lead and mentor Vice Presidents, Associates, Analysts, and other members of the investment banking team.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight on transaction execution.
- Review and provide guidance on financial models, valuation analyses, CIMs, management presentations, buyer lists, and other transaction materials.
- Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing investment banking professionals.
- Foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and high-performance culture within the software banking practice.
Market & Industry Expertise
- Maintain deep knowledge of the software and technology M&A landscape.
- Monitor transaction activity, valuation trends, financing markets, strategic buyers, private equity activity, and emerging subsectors within software.
- Develop differentiated perspectives and insights that can be used to advise clients and generate new business.
- Cultivate relationships with strategic and financial buyers to expand the firm's transaction network.
Qualifications
- 12+ years of investment banking experience, with significant experience at the senior banker level.
- Extensive experience advising software and technology companies on M&A and/or capital markets transactions.
- Demonstrated track record of originating and closing middle-market transactions.
- Strong existing relationships with software executives, founders, private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and other relevant market participants.
- Proven ability to independently generate and develop investment banking business.
- Strong understanding of software industry business models, including SaaS, recurring revenue models, vertical software, enterprise software, cybersecurity, fintech, and/or related technology subsectors.
- Exceptional financial, valuation, transaction structuring, and analytical skills.
- Strong understanding of the full M&A process, including business development, valuation, marketing, buyer outreach, due diligence, negotiations, and closing.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop junior investment banking professionals.
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with the following experience are particularly encouraged to apply:
- Prior Managing Director, Senior Managing Director, or Partner-level experience at an investment bank or advisory firm.
- Significant experience executing transactions in the $50 million–$500 million+ enterprise value range.
- A substantial personal network of software executives, private equity sponsors, strategic buyers, and other institutional investors.
- Experience working with founder-owned and/or sponsor-backed software companies.
- Experience leading sell-side M&A transactions.
- Experience with cross-border software transactions is a plus.
- Existing software-sector franchise or demonstrated ability to build one.
Compensation
Competitive compensation package consisting of base salary, annual bonus, and significant performance-based incentive compensation, commensurate with experience, transaction production, and business development success.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to play a significant role in building and expanding a software-focused middle-market investment banking franchise.
- Meaningful autonomy and responsibility in business development and client relationships.
- Direct exposure to founders, CEOs, Boards of Directors, private equity sponsors, and strategic acquirers.
- Entrepreneurial environment with significant upside for successful senior bankers.
- Opportunity to lead high-profile M&A and strategic advisory transactions.
- Collaborative team environment with experienced investment banking professionals.