Position: Manager, Corporate Development North America (M&A Sourcing & Execution)
Reporting to: Vice President, Corporate Development (North America)
Location: Remote – US Based
Job specifics: M&A Manager – Testing, Inspection & Certification Sector
The Opportunity
Applus+ is a global leader in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) sector, with 25,000+ employees and a network of 350+ offices across 70 countries. We ensure assets and products meet quality, health, safety, and environmental standards in every major industry.
The Mandate: Backed by a powerful consortium of private equity funds (I Squared Capital and TDR Capital), Applus+ is entering a phase of aggressive inorganic growth in North America. We have successfully executed ~20 transactions since 2022 and have significant dry powder to deploy.
We are seeking a "Hunter" - a high-EQ, sales-oriented M&A professional to lead our proprietary sourcing efforts. This is not a passive desk job; it is a dynamic role for a dealmaker who loves the chase, excels at building trust with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, and wants to own the deal lifecycle from "Hello" to "Close."
The Role
You will be the "tip of the spear" for our North American M&A strategy. Your primary mission is to uncover, cultivate, build trust, and lock up off-market acquisition targets (proprietary deals). You will partner directly with the VP of Corporate Development for North America to move these opportunities through valuation, diligence, and closing.
1. Proprietary Sourcing & Origination (70%)
- Direct Owner Outreach: Execute a high-volume, thesis-driven outreach strategy (direct mail, cold calls, emails, conferences) to engage owners of founder-led TIC businesses ($5M - $50M Revenue).
- Pipeline Management: Build and manage a robust pipeline of 500+ active targets in DealCloud. You will be responsible for converting "cold leads" into "warm relationships."
- Relationship Building: Act as the face of Applus+ to the market. Use high emotional intelligence (EQ) to navigate the concerns of selling owners, build trust and position Applus+ as the "buyer of choice" over competitors.
- Network Development: Cultivate relationships with boutique business brokers, wealth managers, and regional intermediaries to secure "first look" access to limited auctions.
2. Execution & Deal Support (30%)
- Preliminary Analysis: "Triage" incoming opportunities. Review disorganized private-company financials and perform preliminary recasting (add-backs/normalization) to determine true EBITDA.
- Valuation & Structuring: Assist in drafting Indication of Interest (IOI) letters and building valuation models (DCF/LBO) to support offer prices.
- Diligence Coordination: Support the VP in managing the due diligence process (financial, legal, operational) for the deals you source.
- IC Presentation: contribute to Investment Committee materials, providing the strategic rationale and "story" behind the acquisition.
- Documentation & Closing: Support the VP throughout the deal documentation and closing process.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for a unique blend of Sales DNA and Financial Acumen. You are likely currently working in Private Equity Business Development, at a Buy-Side Intermediary, or as a Sector-Focused Junior Banker and want to get closer to the transaction.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience: 4-7 years of total experience, with at least 2 years dedicated to M&A sourcing, business development, or origination.
- The "Hunter" Mentality: Proven track record of cold-calling and sourcing off-market deals. You are not afraid of rejection and can self-motivate in a remote environment.
- TIC Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with industrial services, testing labs, or engineering services is highly preferred.
- Financial Literacy: You don't need to be a modeling wizard, but you must be able to read a P&L, understand EBITDA adjustments, and speak the language of valuation.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional communication skills. You can switch codes instantly—talking high-level strategy with internal VPs and "shop talk" with a blue-collar business owner.
Preferred Backgrounds:
- Business Development / Origination Associate at a Lower Middle Market Private Equity firm.
- Associate at a Buy-Side M&A Advisory firm.
- M&A Associate at a boutique investment bank focused on TIC or Business Services.
Why Join Applus?
- Capital Availability: We are PE-backed with a clear mandate to buy. You won't just be building a pipeline; you will be closing deals.
- Full Lifecycle Exposure: Unlike pure "BD" roles, you will not just hand off the lead. You will stay involved through the execution phase, gaining valuable transaction experience through direct mentoring by a seasoned M&A professional with decades of banking, private equity and corporate development expertise.
- Impact: You will directly influence the North American footprint and overall growth of a global industry leader.