Corporate Development Associate

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: Location: Preference for Toronto or Ottawa, hybrid in-office role.

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/Constellation typically takes multiple years

Who are we looking for?

We don’t believe there is a “one size fits all” profile for this position, but are particularly excited to speak with candidates who have progressive experience in one or a combination of the following functions:

• •   K-12 or Higher Education industry background | SME
  •    Investment sourcing/origination
  •    Outbound SaaS sales
  •    Investment banking or other investing roles
  •    Growth/GTM (early/growth stage or sponsor-backed)
   

What We Offer

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits.
• Robust training and development, including mentorship from experienced M&A professionals and exposure to the full deal lifecycle.
• Career growth within an acquisitive, growth oriented, decentralized organization | ability to grow within an organization over the long term

AI & Innovation Mindset

We are committed to leveraging emerging technologies to improve how we work, serve our customers, and drive business outcomes. The successful candidate will demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to actively adopt and leverage AI tools to improve workflows, solve problems, and increase efficiency. Candidates should be comfortable using AI enabled technologies, including copilots, chat based AI assistants, and automation tools, as part of their everyday work while maintaining appropriate judgment, security, and compliance standards.
 

Salary: Target earnings $120,000 to $140,000 | $80,000 - $100,000 base + variable of $40,000