Corporate Development Associate

Position Overview:

As a Corporate Development Associate, you will support our clients’ investment activities, including M&A, divestitures and investments in both public and private markets. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development & Chief Investment Officer and working alongside long-tenured professionals and early-career peers, you will provide analytical firepower and executional support, with ample opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Key Focus Areas:

Transaction Execution

• Build financial models for acquisitions, divestitures and other investment opportunities.
• Manage all aspects of M&A due diligence, including coordination of external advisors.
• Prepare investment memos for senior leadership and board review.

Pipeline Management and Target Development

• Maintain a database of M&A targets.
• Manage relationships with intermediaries and asset owners to cultivate deal pipelines.
• Collaborate with portfolio company leaders to generate and track the M&A pipeline.
• Conduct outreach to potential targets and manage follow-up communications.
• Research market trends to generate investment themes and articulate data-driven theses.

Strategic and Alternative Investments

• As needed, analyze non-M&A investment strategies, modeling portfolio allocations across public and private asset classes.
• Conduct research on investment strategies in both public and private markets.

Internal Stakeholder Support

• Prepare presentation materials for the investment and operations committee of the board.
• Support cross-functional investment-related initiatives as needed.

Qualifications:

• Associate: 2–3 years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, consulting, transaction or valuation services or a similar professional services environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word; interest and skill in current AI tools.
• Self-starter: You will operate as part of a small, high-octane team, and your contributions will be visible and important from day one. The CEO will know you by name. You will receive on-the-job coaching and learning opportunities. A successful associate is expected to operate independently within one to two years.
• Analytical and intellectually curious: Good investing starts with deep understanding and clear thinking. Natural curiosity and a desire to figure things out are crucial. You will be expected to dig deep and go the extra mile to understand the topic at hand, whether it is a market landscape, technological trends, business valuation or optimal M&A contract terms. You will need to be resourceful and creative in sourcing information.
• Strong communication skills: You will be expected to deliver crisp, actionable insights verbally and in writing. You will communicate with a diverse range of professionals, including corporate development team members, functional experts and executives, portfolio company leaders, external advisors, deal intermediaries and asset owners (private equity firms, corporate executives and individual owners).
• Organized and efficient: Delivering results, sticking to commitments and managing time well, including when handling multiple projects, is essential. Our team members achieve a sustainable long-term work-life balance and understand that success in M&A requires flexibility.
• Practical and business-minded: You use intellect and analytical skills to distill real-world implications, insights and recommendations that support smart investing and business decisions. You will work closely with business operators and need to show “common sense” in translating M&A concepts and jargon into clear, compelling arguments.

What we offer:

• A strong and supportive culture that promotes long-term loyalty.
• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus and top-tier benefits.
• Flexible hybrid work model in a modern downtown office with amenities including gym subsidy, rooftop terrace and complimentary refreshments.
• Structured onboarding, mentorship and professional development pathways.
• Participation in a diverse and inclusive environment that values varied perspectives and backgrounds.

About Aris Amplify

This search is being conducted by Aris Amplify, a Charles Aris Inc. company. We specialize in connecting top-tier talent with growth-oriented companies across the country in accounting and finance, engineering and operations, sales and marketing, and HR and executive support — all on a contingent basis.

We are committed to creating meaningful connections between exceptional talent and dynamic organizations through a focused, efficient and personalized recruiting process.

Learn more about our approach at charlesaris.com/aris-amplify-recruiting-services.