Senior Research Manager, M&A Origination

Location: Remote
Employment Type: Full-Time
Working Hours: U.S. East Coast overlap preferred
Compensation: Competitive; based on experience and region
Reports to: Leadership Team

About the Role

We are hiring a Senior Research Manager, M&A Origination to build and lead a more embedded, scalable research function supporting private equity clients and their portfolio companies.

Our business helps PE funds and portfolio companies identify acquisition targets. A typical engagement involves taking a client’s investment criteria, researching a large fragmented market, filtering businesses based on that criteria, and enriching target lists with accurate decision-maker information.

Today, parts of this process are handled through external contractors, primarily for enrichment and qualification. We are now looking for a more senior, embedded hire who can take ownership of the research division, manage research resources, improve communication and execution quality, and serve as the internal leader accountable for research output.

This is a strong fit for someone who combines research rigor, team leadership, strong English communication, and commercial judgment.

What You’ll Own

1. Research Strategy & Target Identification

Lead market mapping and company identification projects for M&A origination assignments
Translate client criteria into structured research plans and workflows
Oversee the identification and filtering of acquisition targets across fragmented industries
Ensure research output is accurate, complete, and aligned with client objectives
Apply sound judgment when interpreting business model nuances, ownership structures, and target fit

2. Decision-Maker Research & Data Quality

Oversee enrichment of target lists with accurate owner and decision-maker contact information
Ensure high standards for precision in identifying the correct contact, not just broad-volume list output
Improve quality control across research and enrichment workflows
Maintain a white-glove standard appropriate for sophisticated private equity and portfolio company clients

3. Team Leadership & Research Operations

Serve as the day-to-day owner of the research function
Manage existing contractors and help structure a scalable team model
Potentially lead a blended team of full-time researchers plus part-time or flex contractor capacity
Set priorities, delegate work, review output, and maintain quality standards
Act as the primary point of accountability for research delivery

4. Client Kickoff & Internal Translation

Join client kickoff calls and help interpret acquisition criteria
Translate complex client requirements into actionable research instructions for the team
Ask sharp questions to clarify business model nuances, target definitions, and market constraints
Build confidence with client-facing stakeholders through clear, polished communication

5. Workflow Improvement & AI Adoption

Help embed offshore research more fully into internal processes and systems
Ensure researchers are using company-approved tools, subscriptions, and workflows
Evaluate and implement new AI and automation tools to improve speed, accuracy, and scalability
Shift the function from task-based outsourced support to a true embedded research department
Continuously improve systems, documentation, and visibility into how work gets done

Ideal Candidate Profile

Must-Have

4+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
- M&A research
- private equity research support
- market mapping
- business research
- B2B lead generation or target identification
- commercial research / origination support
Experience managing researchers, analysts, virtual teams, or contractors
Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to participate confidently in client-facing calls
Experience translating ambiguous commercial requirements into clear research execution
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
Comfortable working during U.S. East Coast hours or with significant East Coast overlap

Nice-to-Have

Experience supporting private equity firms, search funds, investment banks, or portfolio companies
Familiarity with tools such as ZoomInfo, Apollo, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and similar research databases
Experience building or managing offshore research workflows
Familiarity with AI tools and an interest in integrating them into day-to-day research processes
Experience in industries involving fragmented markets, owner-operated businesses, or buy-and-build strategies

What Success Looks Like

Research projects move faster without sacrificing quality
The research function becomes more embedded, visible, and reliable
Client criteria are translated clearly into high-quality deliverables
Decision-maker data is accurate and research output is dependable
Contractors and junior researchers are effectively managed under a clear team structure
New tools, including AI, are thoughtfully adopted to improve throughput and consistency
Leadership has a single accountable owner for the research division

Key Traits for Success

Strong communicator with polished client presence
Highly organized and process-oriented
Commercially minded and able to understand nuanced business criteria
Hands-on leader who can both manage and execute
Comfortable operating in a growing, evolving environment
Proactive about improving systems, not just completing tasks

Why This Role Matters

This role is central to scaling the business. Rather than relying on disconnected outsourced support, we are looking for someone who can help build a true research function — one that is integrated into the team, trusted by leadership, and capable of flexing with client demand.

The right person will have the opportunity to shape team structure, improve process design, and play a major role in how M&A origination work gets executed going forward.

Sr Research Manager (M&A) - 18754