M&A Associate

As an operating group of Constellation Software (TSX: CSU. TO), Vela acquires, manages, and builds vertical market software companies with a buy and hold forever mandate. Our long-term vision fosters an environment of continuous strategic investment in our businesses - their products, brands, and people - enabling them to be clear leaders in their industries.Role DescriptionWith over one hundred transactions in 2024, we're looking for a top-performing business development professional to join Vela's M& A deal origination team.This individual will be responsible for sourcing, qualifying, nurturing, and managing a pipeline of acquisition opportunities.The ideal candidate will balance salesmanship and drive for business development with the financial acumen to co-ordinate and facilitate critical aspects of the M& A transaction lifecycle in a C-level facing role.They should be internally motivated, creative, entrepreneurial, and with a record of surpassing targets in a deal sourcing environment.ResponsibilitiesIdentify, engage, and qualify potential M& A company targets and opportunities aligning with the group's strategic and financial criteria.Establish, build, and maintain successful relationships with CEOs, business owners, senior executives, brokers, PE & VC funds, and other stakeholders through meaningful dialogue as well as nurture attractive M& A opportunities to help progress targets through the deal sourcing pipeline.Add new prospects to our proprietary database of industry contacts.Track activities and maintain relevant information in CRM.Review company materials on an opportunity basis.Conduct assessments of target industry and competitive landscape, identifying key industry trends, emerging players, and associated opportunities for growth.Work Experience/Profile2+ years of relevant experience in M& A sourcing, Saa S business development, enterprise sales, investor relations, or entrepreneurship/start-up.Ability to speak other languages (highly considered).Exceptional business sense, a strong inherent drive to work autonomously and think independently in a high-performance entrepreneurial environment.Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with exemplary relationship and rapport building skills.Proficiency in deal sourcing and cold outreach (cold-calling, e-mail, and other relevant outreach channels).Self-starter with an ability to takes ownership and initiative to drive projects to completion and a high degree of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.Solid understanding of company financial information and analysis of historical performance.Advanced time management, attention to detail, organizational, strategic thinking, and analytical skills.Adaptable and flexible, able to respond to changing work priorities, pressure, and demands.Experience in the industrial sector is considered an asset.Able to travel on an as needed basis.