Cove Private Equity Deal Origination Specialist

About the role

The D. E. Shaw group seeks a motivated professional to join its Cove private equity team as a deal origination specialist. Cove is focused on acquiring and growing small- and medium-sized businesses across the U.S., and this role centers on identifying and sourcing new investment opportunities. The position offers the chance to collaborate with a dynamic team and build meaningful relationships with business owners nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Source and originate new investment opportunities by connecting directly with small- and mid-sized business owners across various industries.
• Own, develop, and execute creative sourcing and marketing strategies that leverage cutting-edge tools and high-quality data to identify and prioritize the most promising opportunities.
• Build and maintain a network of contacts, including business owners, expert networks, and relevant intermediaries, to identify potential deals.
• Develop rapport and credibility with prospective sellers, fostering trust and open communication throughout the sourcing process.
• Leverage industry knowledge and relationship management skills to uncover opportunities that align with the firm’s investment criteria.
• Collaborate with internal team members to share market insights and support the pipeline of potential acquisitions.
• Drive a variety of proprietary cold outreach efforts to source deals directly, including email campaigns, LinkedIn networking, and cold calling.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or higher, along with three to eight years of relevant experience in deal origination, direct sourcing, client services, or business development within private equity or expert networks.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and connect authentically with small- and mid-sized business owners, particularly across middle America.
• Experience with private equity platforms, expert networks (such as AlphaSights), or similar environments focused on sourcing rather than sales or corporate development.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to foster credibility and trust.
• A collaborative mindset, with a personable, approachable manner and the ability to connect with a wide range of business owners.

Pay

The expected annual base salary for this position is $130,000 to $170,000.

Benefits

• Variable compensation in the form of a year-end bonus, guaranteed in the first year of hire.
• Medical and prescription drug coverage.
• 401(k) contribution matching.
• Wellness reimbursement.
• Family building benefits.
• Charitable gift match program.