Associate, Corporate Development

Location: Preference for Toronto, but open to remote candidates (within Canada, US).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead generation & develop M&A pipeline: proactively identify and source software companies that align with our investment goals, building a robust pipeline.
• Outreach & build key relationships: lead outbound prospecting through strategic, targeted outreach; build rapport with business owners and senior leadership.
• Relationship management & trusted partner: develop and nurture long‑term relationships with key decision‑makers, positioning Harris as the acquirer of choice.
• CRM discipline: maintain a disciplined pipeline in CRM, track deal stages, forecast pipeline health, and document interactions with relentless cadence.
• Transaction support: support M&A site visits and prospecting trips; coordinate due‑diligence requests and information flow while working closely with the M&A team.
• Acquisitions: deliver transactions as the ultimate outcome of your efforts.
• Travel: 10–20% travel within Canada/USA for founder meetings and industry events.

Qualifications

• Business acumen with substantial hands‑on financial and business experience in fast‑paced, high‑performing environments.
• M&A experience: fluent in discussing the M&A process, valuations, and exiting a business; experienced engaging with founders and senior executives.
• Exceptional relationship builder: skilled conversationalist with genuine curiosity, focused on business owners’ stories, goals, and motivations.
• Natural, outgoing connector: effortlessly builds rapport in casual interactions and comfortably reaches out to business owners.
• Highly efficient research and outreach skills: quickly profile, assess, and interpret a company and its leaders, then initiate tailored outreach.
• Intellectual curiosity: continuously observes, analyzes, and learns from each interaction to gain deeper insight.
• High achiever: hands‑on contributor with a track record of outstanding performance and a commitment to a high rate of meaningful connections.
• Financial literacy: ability to interpret financial statements and discuss basic valuation drivers.
• Commitment: career history of > 3 years at previous employers.
• Advanced communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional self‑drive, meticulous organization, and relentless execution of daily tasks.
• Extraordinary work ethic with a proactive sense of urgency.
• “Hunter” mentality: demonstrable success in cold outreach.
• Long‑term mindset: extensive, meaningful long‑term relationships in personal life.
• Preferred background: experience in K‑12 or higher‑education industry, SME investment sourcing/origination, outbound SaaS sales, investment banking or other investing roles, or 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, with long‑term advancement opportunities.

Salary: Target earnings $120,000 – $140,000 (base $80,000 – $100,000 + variable $40,000).