Associate, Corporate Development

Job summary

The Associate will proactively identify, source, and engage potential software acquisition targets to build a robust M&A pipeline. They will manage relationships with business owners and senior leadership while supporting the full deal lifecycle through due diligence.

Job details

Job Description Harris is looking for a Corporate Development Associate responsible for proactively researching, engaging and developing potential acquisition targets for a high-velocity M&A organization. In this role, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a prolific acquirer and learn from the highly successful acquisition culture of Constellation Software. Location: Location: Preference for Toronto or Ottawa, hybrid in-office role. Key Responsibilities Lead generation | Develop M&A Pipeline: Proactively identify and source software companies that align with our investment goals, using initiative to build a robust pipeline Outreach | Initiate and Build Key Relationships: Lead outbound prospecting through strategic, targeted outreach. You will build rapport with business owners and senior leadership, establishing strong professional connections. Relationship Management | Trusted Partner: Develop and nurture long-term relationships with key decision-makers, building credibility and positioning Harris as the acquirer of choice. CRM Discipline: Manage a disciplined pipeline in CRM; disciplined & relentless activities cadence, track deal stages, forecast pipeline health and driven to throughout document interactions Transaction Support: Support M&A site visits and prospecting trips; coordinate due‑diligence requests and information flow. Work closely with M&A team up to due diligence. Acquisitions: Deliver transactions, the ultimate outcome of your efforts. What are we looking for? Business acumen: Substantial hands-on financial and business experience in fast-paced, high-performing, work environments. M&A experience: Fluent in discussing the M&A process, valuations, and exiting a business. Experienced in engaging with founders and senior executives. An exceptional relationship builder: A skilled conversationalist with genuine curiosity about others and a knack for listening. Builds trust by focusing on the business owner's stories, goals, and motivations rather than their own. A natural, outgoing connector: Naturally engages with people in everyday life, effortlessly building rapport in casual interactions. Comfortable reaching out, connecting, and fostering relationships with business owners. Highly efficient research and outreach skills: A quick study who can profile, assess, and interpret a company and its leaders within minutes, then confidently initiate tailored outreach. Intellectual curiosity: Continuously observes, analyzes, and learns from each interaction, building on past experiences to gain deeper insight. A high achiever: A hands-on contributor with a track record of outstanding performance. Committed to achieving a high rate of meaningful connections. Patiently persistent and resourceful, using thoughtful and creative approaches to engage business owners. Non-Negotiables Financial literacy: ability to interpret financial statements and discuss basic valuation drivers Committed: Career history of working at employers >3+ years Communication: Advanced communication & interpersonal skills Discipline: Exceptional self drive, meticulous organization, relentless execution of daily tasks Urgency: Extraordinary work ethic, proactive with a sense of urgency “Hunter” mentality: demonstrable success in cold outreach Long Term Mindset: extensive meaningful long-term relationships in personal life Travel: 10–20% within Canada/USA for founder meetings and industry events. Long Term Mindset Relationships will be formed with decision makers (i.e. CEOs/VPs of Corporate Development, founders/owners) of software companies globally, M&A advisors, and private equity/venture capital professionals. Success is defined by building and maintaining meaningful relationships, having clients sign LOI’s, and ultimately, the acquisition of software companies/assets by Harris/Constellation. Initiating relationships, maintaining relationships, and ultimately being considered and chosen to be acquired by Harris/Constellation typically takes multiple years Who are we looking for? We don’t believe there is a “one size fits all” profile for this position, but are particularly excited to speak with candidates who have progressive experience in one or a combination of the following functions: • K-12 or Higher Education industry background | SME • Investment sourcing/origination • Outbound SaaS sales • Investment banking or other investing roles • Growth/GTM (early/growth stage or sponsor-backed) What We Offer Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits. Robust training and development, including mentorship from experienced M&A professionals and exposure to the full deal lifecycle. Career growth within an acquisitive, growth oriented, decentralized organization | ability to grow within an organization over the long term Salary: Target earnings $120,000 to $140,000 | $80,000 - $100,000 base + variable of $40,000

What you’ll do

The Associate will proactively identify, source, and engage potential software acquisition targets to build a robust M&A pipeline. They will manage relationships with business owners and senior leadership while supporting the full deal lifecycle through due diligence.

Requirements

Candidates must possess strong financial literacy, M&A experience, and a proven track record in outbound prospecting or investment sourcing. The role requires exceptional communication skills, a 'hunter' mentality, and the ability to travel 10-20% of the time.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Training and development
• Mentorship

Listed skills

• Outbound Prospecting · Preferred
• Negotiation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• CRM · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• M&A
• Financial literacy
• Lead generation
• Relationship management
• Outbound prospecting
• Business acumen
• Valuation
• CRM
• Due diligence
• Strategic outreach
• Communication
• Negotiation
• Market research
• Pipeline management
• Analytical skills
• Mentorship
• Software As A Service (SaaS)
• Training And Development
• Business Acumen
• Strong Work Ethic
• Curiosity
• Leadership
• Investments
• Customer Relationship Management
• Research
• Interpersonal Communications
• Sales
• Lead Generation
• Corporate Development
• Private Equity
• Sales Prospecting
• Relationship Management
• Financial Statements
• Resourcefulness
• Due Diligence
• Mergers And Acquisitions
• Goal-Oriented
• Investment Banking
• Rapport Building
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Venture Capital
• Financial Literacy
• Building Trust

Job areas

• Finance & Accounting
• Management & Leadership
• Software
• Sales
• Consulting
• Corporate Development Associate
• Business Development Specialist
• Commercial Sales Representatives
• Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

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