Associate, Corporate Development

About this role

Job Description Harris is looking for a Corporate Development Associate responsible for proactively researching, engaging and developing potential acquisition targets for a high-velocity M&A organization. In this role, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a prolific acquirer and learn from the highly successful acquisition culture of Constellation Software. 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, using initiative to build a robust pipeline Outreach | Initiate and Build Key Relationships: Lead outbound prospecting through strategic, targeted outreach. You will build rapport with business owners and senior leadership, establishing strong professional connections. Relationship Management | Trusted Partner: Develop and nurture long-term relationships with key decision-makers, building credibility and positioning Harris as the acquirer of choice. CRM Discipline: Manage a disciplined pipeline in CRM; disciplined & relentless activities cadence, track deal stages, forecast pipeline health and driven to throughout document interactions Transaction Support: Support M&A site visits and prospecting trips; coordinate due‑diligence requests and information flow. Work closely with M&A team up to due diligence. Acquisitions: Deliver transactions, the ultimate outcome of your efforts. What are we looking for? Business acumen: Substantial hands-on financial and business experience in fast-paced, high-performing, work environments. M&A experience: Fluent in discussing the M&A process, valuations, and exiting a business. Experienced in engaging with founders and senior executives. An exceptional relationship builder: A skilled conversationalist with genuine curiosity about others and a knack for listening. Builds trust by focusing on the business owner's stories, goals, and motivations rather than their own. A natural, outgoing connector: Naturally engages with people in everyday life, effortlessly building rapport in casual interactions. Comfortable reaching out, connecting, and fostering relationships with business owners. Highly efficient research and outreach skills: A quick study who can profile, assess, and interpret a company and its leaders within minutes, then confidently initiate tailored outreach. Intellectual curiosity: Continuously observes, analyzes, and learns from each interaction, building on past experiences to gain deeper insight. A high achiever: A hands-on contributor with a track record of outstanding performance. Committed to achieving a high rate of meaningful connections. Patiently persistent and resourceful, using thoughtful and creative approaches to engage business owners. Non-Negotiables Financial literacy : ability to interpret financial statements and discuss basic valuation drivers Committed : Career history of working at employers >3+ years Communication : Advanced communication & interpersonal skills Discipline: Exceptional self drive, meticulous organization, relentless execution of daily tasks Urgency: Extraordinary work ethic, proactive with a sense of urgency “Hunter” mentality: demonstrable success in cold outreach Long Term Mindset: extensive meaningful long-term relationships in personal life Travel: 10–20% within Canada/USA for founder meetings and industry events. Long Term Mindset Relationships will be formed with decision makers (i.e. CEOs/VPs of Corporate Development, founders/owners) of software companies globally, M&A advisors, and private equity/venture capital professionals. Success is defined by building and maintaining meaningful relationships, having clients sign LOI’s, and ultimately, the acquisition of software companies/assets by Harris /Constellation. Initiating relationships, maintaining relationships, and ultimately being considered and chosen to be acquired by Harris /Conste

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