Senior Associate, M&A Deal Execution

The firm primarily operates on the buy-side, representing large public and private enterprises in designing and executing acquisition strategies. Additionally, the firm represents a select number of family-owned companies each year in the sale of all or part of their businesses. Founded in 1998, the firm has completed more than $14 billion in transactions across 30+ states and Canada.

Our client is seeking a motivated and analytically sharp Associate to join its M&A Deal Execution team. This role is designed for an early-career professional with a strong foundation in M&A-related experience who is ready to take on meaningful responsibility in a lean, relationship-oriented advisory environment. The Associate will work directly alongside a Managing Director and senior deal team members across live buy-side and sell-side transactions, contributing to financial analysis, deal documentation, diligence management, and client-facing work. This is a hands-on role with real exposure to the full transaction lifecycle from day one.

Deal Volume Expectations

As a boutique firm that provides a highly personalized, concierge-level service to its clients, the company is very selective in the number of engagements it takes on at any one time. As of today, their target is around 10 active transactions (post-engagement agreement or LOI) per year. Their transactions range from $20mm in enterprise value to about $1,500mm.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Analysis & Modeling

Build and maintain financial models, including DCF/valuation analyses, merger models, and working capital analyses in support of active engagements

Analyze historical financial statements and management-prepared financials to develop normalized earnings views and identify key value drivers

Prepare preliminary valuation analyses and acquisition opportunity assessments for buy-side clients

Support Quality of Earnings coordination by reviewing diligence materials and flagging financial anomalies or areas requiring further investigation

Ensure accuracy and integrity of all financial work product before review by the supervising Managing Director

Deal Documentation & Execution

Draft and refine Confidential Information Memoranda (CIMs), management presentations, teasers, and other deal marketing materials under the direction of the deal lead

Assist in the preparation and management of data rooms, including document organization, buyer request tracking, and diligence response coordination

Maintain deal timelines, track outstanding items, and follow up internally and externally to ensure the deal cycle stays on track

Assist in drafting and reviewing Letters of Intent, term sheets, and other transaction documents in coordination with deal leadership and legal counsel

Provide regular deal status updates and internal reporting to the supervising Managing Director

Client & Counterparty Interaction

Participate in client calls, management meetings, and buyer/seller interactions as a supporting member of the deal team

Build professional relationships with client contacts, counterparty advisors, and other transaction participants in a manner consistent with the company’s white-glove service standard

Prepare meeting materials, call agendas, and follow-up summaries to support seamless client communication

Experience

3+ years of investment banking, M&A advisory, or transaction advisory experience, with direct exposure to buy-side and/or sell-side deal execution

Experience at a bulge bracket, middle-market, or boutique investment bank, Big 4 Transaction Advisory group, or comparable M&A-focused environment

Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality financial models, CIMs, and deal documentation independently or with limited supervision

Prior exposure to middle-market transactions and/or family-owned business clients is a plus, but not required

Prior exposure to M&A deals involving construction companies and related accounting issues (WIP, completed contracts, crew profitability, etc.) is a significant plus, but not required

Technical Skills

Advanced proficiency in financial modeling and valuation; able to build and analyze models with accuracy and efficiency

Strong command of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; ability to produce client-ready deliverables with minimal formatting guidance

Working proficiency with Capital IQ, PitchBook, or Bloomberg for research and deal support

Familiarity with data room platforms (e.g., Intralinks, Datasite, or similar) is a plus

Licenses & Certifications

FINRA Series 79 (Investment Banking Representative): Required, or able to obtain promptly after hire

FINRA Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law): Required, or able to obtain promptly after hire

CPA (Certified Public Accountant): Would be considered a plus, but is not required

Soft Skills & Leadership Attributes

Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to draft clear, professional documents and represent the company’s credibly with clients and counterparties

High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy; takes ownership of work product quality without needing to be reminded

Proactive, autonomous, and self-directed; able to manage competing priorities without constant oversight

Collaborative and coachable; eager to learn from senior deal team members and contribute positively to firm culture

Sound judgment, discretion, and integrity consistent with a client-first, white-glove advisory firm

Reporting Structure

The Associate will report directly to a Managing Director within the M&A Deal Execution team and will have additional exposure to firm leadership across active transactions.

Location & Work Arrangement

This is currently an in-office role and is expected to remain in-office for the foreseeable future. The offices are located in Fort Worth, Texas.

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