Remote VP, M&A Investment Leadership

Novastone Capital Advisors; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company benefits

Personal benefits

International exposure

Employee training & development

Job summary

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) seeks an accomplished senior M&A buy-side expert to serve as VP on the Investment Team, leading the full investment cycle from offer prep to closing. This role combines oversight of the investment team with hands-on execution and is fully remote, with occasional travel.

Qualified candidates bring 5–7 years in private equity, investment banking, or principal investing, plus a track record in search funds, complex deal structuring, and exceptional negotiation.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in private equity, investment banking, or principal investing.
• Experience in search funds or supporting search fund operators.
• Proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and executing complex M&A transactions.
• Strong expertise in financial modelling, valuation, and deal structuring.
• Exceptional negotiation, relationship management, and leadership skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on driving successful outcomes.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
• Deep familiarity with lower mid‑market / SMB buyouts (typical EV $15-80m) and founder‑owned businesses.
• Outstanding communication skills with boardroom presence; able to coach upcoming CEOs and present to IC.
• Right to work in North America; ability to travel as required.
• Sit on the board of select portfolio companies as an NCA representative.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to NCA's Investment Team; build culture, set objectives, and drive professional development.
• Hire, coach, and mentor investment professionals and searchers; establish consistent standards of excellence and feedback rhythms.
• Own pipeline management, resourcing, and prioritization across multiple concurrent processes.
• Design and continuously improve the end-to-end investment process for lower mid-market acquisitions in the Operator-Led Search model.
• Own valuation frameworks, financial model standards, and deal structuring playbooks; ensure consistency and quality.
• Oversee preparation of Investment Committee materials and present/participate in IC discussions.
• Institutionalize templates for deal memoranda, LOIs, diligence trackers, and 100-day plans.
• Work with and advise searchers on the evaluation, structuring, and execution of M&A transactions.
• Take ultimate ownership of financial models and valuations for potential transactions.
• Oversee and review deal memoranda prepared by searchers prior to investor presentations.
• Review and provide final approval on offer letters and, alongside searchers, negotiate key deal terms with sellers.
• Oversee operator‑led commercial due diligence and third‑party diligence workstreams.
• Collaborate with searchers to ensure successful execution of transactions.
• Proactively originate opportunities through the NCA searcher network and external intermediaries; maintain senior relationships with brokers, bankers, and advisors.
• Lead negotiations on complex terms (earn‑outs, seller notes, R&W insurance, rollover equity) and drive to executable LOIs and SPAs.
• Coordinate legal, tax, and regulatory workstreams, ensuring compliance (including KYC/AML and sanctions where applicable).
• Represent NCA credibly to investors, sellers, advisors, and the broader ETA/search fund ecosystem.
• Contribute thought leadership (events, content, panels) to elevate NCA's brand.

Skills

Financial modelling

Valuation

Deal structuring

Negotiation

Leadership

Remote team management

MBA

Education

MBA or equivalent

Job description

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) seeks an accomplished senior M&A buy-side expert to serve as VP on the Investment Team, leading the full investment cycle from offer prep to closing. This role combines oversight of the investment team with hands-on execution and is fully remote, with occasional travel.

Qualified candidates bring 5–7 years in private equity, investment banking, or principal investing, plus a track record in search funds, complex deal structuring, and exceptional negotiation.