via Reed · 6 October 2026 ·3 days ago

M&A Business Development Director (Acquisition Search)

SJC Partners
Manchester Full-time
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SJC Partners is supporting a fast-growing specialist M&A origination business with the appointment of an Acquisition Search Director.

The firm works with private equity investors, PE-backed businesses and acquisitive corporates and PLCs to build targeted pipelines of off-market acquisition opportunities aligned with each client's specific investment criteria.

Following continued growth, they are looking to appoint an experienced senior operator who can lead acquisition search mandates, supported by a research and target outreach team.

We are interested in candidates who have operated at a senior level, either within M&A or in a senior commercial or industry role.

The Role

  • Lead client relationships and acquisition search mandates

  • Build pipelines of off-market acquisition opportunities, supported by a dedicated research team

  • Engage directly with founders, owners, CEOs and shareholders

  • Position clients credibly and compellingly to prospective acquisition targets

  • Handle senior-level conversations, objections and commercially sensitive discussions

  • Assess strategic fit and identify the strongest acquisition opportunities

  • Manage target relationships from initial engagement through to introduction and ongoing discussions

  • Create acquisition opportunities that would be unlikely to reach the open market

This is a highly autonomous role. You will take ownership of your mandates while working alongside an experienced team of senior Acquisition Search Directors.

About You

You will have operated at a senior level and be comfortable engaging with business owners, management teams, investors and boards.
The current team includes individuals who have previously run businesses, held Corporate Development Director-level positions and operated in senior roles within PE-backed organisations.
You therefore do not need to be a traditional M&A professional. The business is more interested in commercial judgement, sector credibility and the ability to build senior relationships.

Why Join?

  • Join a fast-growing specialist M&A origination business

  • Work directly with private equity, PE-backed and corporate/PLC clients

  • Use your sector expertise in a genuinely strategic role

  • Highly autonomous and senior-level position

  • support

  • Fully remote

  • Uncapped bonus linked to fee income

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