Ascent Target
Mergers And Acquisitions Deal Origination Associate
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Deal Origination Associate
About Ascent Target
Ascent Target is an off-market M&A deal origination firm. We work with private equity firms and trade acquirers across a variety of sectors. During the last 12 months, our work has contributed to transactions representing more than £100 million of enterprise value across a range of sectors for our clients.
We are now looking for our next deal origination expert to join the team as we take on more UK-based and international clients seeking to enter or expand within the UK and Europe through M&A.
Ascent Target has been a division of Langcliffe since 2024. Langcliffe is Europe’s largest deal origination firm and has relationships with more than 10,000 engaged acquirers worldwide.
This is an excellent opportunity to play an important role in the growth of a small, fast-growing, ambitious firm at an exciting stage in its development.
The Role and Responsibilities
- Working primarily with private equity firms and trade acquirers from Europe and North America to build active M&A pipelines across the UK and Europe.
- Working with the support of Ascent Target’s research team to identify and qualify acquisition targets.
- Leading client projects, from taking the initial brief through to holding regular, diarised update calls.
- Developing and executing outreach strategies across several channels, with telephone outreach as the primary route.
- Gathering intelligence from acquisition targets and discussing the opportunity to enter an acquisition process with our client.
- Preparing briefing notes for client calls and profiles of progressing acquisition targets.
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Experience, Attributes and Desirable Knowledge
- A bachelor’s degree at 2:1 or above.
- At least two years’ experience in a professional services business development role.
- Ideally, experience working in an M&A or private equity environment and building relationships with shareholders of SME and mid-market businesses.
- An understanding of the private equity investment cycle, buy-and-build strategies and deal structures (training can be provided).
- Knowledge of current M&A trends and markets undergoing active private equity-backed consolidation.
- A professional disposition, with an excellent telephone manner and strong written communication skills.
- High service standards, a strong work ethic and intellectual curiosity.
- A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Detail-oriented and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment across multiple projects.
- Comfortable working towards KPI targets.
- Fluent English, with additional language skills highly beneficial, particularly German.
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What Ascent Target Can Offer
- The flexibility to work from home or from a dedicated workspace local to you. Occasional attendance at team meetings in London and client kick-off meetings will be required.
- Access to the technology, data and tools required to perform the role effectively.
- A remuneration package including uncapped commission clearly linked to positive client outcomes i.e. deal completions.
- Health and wellbeing benefits.
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