Our reputable client in the software sector is seeking a highly driven Business Development Associate to join a global mergers and acquisitions team focused on sourcing software investment opportunities. This is a true outbound, “hunter-style” role. You will be responsible for identifying, engaging, and building relationships with founders and executives of software companies—most of whom are not actively pursuing a sale. Success in this position requires persistence, creativity in outreach, and a high level of activity. You will consistently generate new conversations and convert them into qualified opportunities that progress through the M&A pipeline. This role is ideal for individuals with experience in sales development, business development, or outbound B2B sales who thrive in performance-driven environments and enjoy building opportunities from the ground up. This is a hybrid role based out of their downtown Toronto office. Key Responsibilities Prospecting & Market Research Identify and research software companies that align with defined acquisition criteria Build and continuously refine target lists using a mix of public and proprietary data Develop a strong understanding of specific software verticals and key industry players Outbound Deal Sourcing Execute high-volume, multi-channel outreach (cold calls, email, LinkedIn, events) Engage founders and executives who are not actively in‑market Test and refine messaging to improve response and conversion rates Represent the organization with professionalism and credibility in all external interactions Relationship Management Build and maintain long‑term relationships with founders and industry participants Stay engaged with prospects over extended timelines, often spanning multiple years Become a trusted contact for entrepreneurs exploring strategic options Pipeline Management Maintain accurate and detailed CRM records, including notes, follow‑ups, and activity tracking Manage multiple conversations simultaneously across various stages of the pipeline Opportunity Qualification Evaluate potential opportunities against strategic and financial criteria Gather high‑level insights on company performance, ownership, and positioning Prepare internal summaries and coordinate handoffs to deal execution teams Deal Support Assist with early‑stage diligence and information gathering Coordinate meetings and introductions between stakeholders Ideal Candidate Profile We are looking for candidates with strong outbound prospecting experience and a proven ability to generate meaningful conversations. Common backgrounds include: Sales Development Representative (SDR) / Business Development Representative (BDR) Enterprise or B2B outbound sales Corporate development or deal sourcing Qualifications 1–4 years of experience in outbound sales, business development, or SDR/BDR roles Demonstrated success generating meetings through cold outreach Strong written and verbal communication skills Comfortable engaging with founders, CEOs, and senior executives Highly organized with strong attention to pipeline management and CRM discipline Self‑motivated with a high degree of ownership and accountability Preferred Experience Exposure to B2B or vertical market software Familiarity with tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Apollo, or ZoomInfo Interest in mergers and acquisitions, investing, or the software sector Basic financial literacy or experience with financial analysis What Success Looks Like Consistently generating new conversations with previously untapped founders Converting outreach into meetings, NDAs, and qualified opportunities Building a pipeline that contributes directly to completed transactions Operating with urgency, discipline, and strong follow‑through Maintaining accurate CRM reporting and meeting activity targets What’s Offered Direct exposure to mergers and acquisitions and the full deal lifecycle Competitive base salary with performance‑based incentives Comprehensive health benefits Mentorship from experienced M&A and business development professionals Opportunities for growth within a global, acquisition‑focused organization Additional Notes This role is designed for a high‑output, outbound‑focused professional. It prioritizes individuals who: Thrive in high‑activity, performance‑driven environments Bring a proactive, resilient, and persistent approach Are comfortable conducting multi‑channel outreach Have experience engaging senior decision‑makers Enjoy building pipeline and creating opportunities from scratch AI may be used to support certain administrative aspects of our recruitment process. However, all applications and resumes are reviewed by qualified human reviewers, and all screening and hiring decisions are made solely by the hiring team. The posted salary range reflects expected compensation for this role in accordance with Ontario pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications and may fall anywhere within the range. #J-18808-Ljbffr