About This Role
<div><div>Job Description</div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p><span>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.</span></p><p><br /><b><span>Location: </span></b><span>Preference for Toronto, but open to remote candidates (within Canada, US)</span><br /><br /><b><u><span>Key Responsibilities</span></u></b><br /> </p><ul><li><b>Lead generation | Develop M&A Pipeline:</b> Proactively identify and source software companies that align with our investment goals, using initiative to build a robust pipeline</li><li><b>Outreach | Initiate and Build Key Relationships:</b> Lead outbound prospecting through strategic, targeted outreach. You will build rapport with business owners and senior leadership, establishing strong professional connections.</li><li><b>Relationship Management | Trusted Partner:</b> Develop and nurture long-term relationships with key decision-makers, building credibility and positioning Harris as the acquirer of choice.</li><li><b><span>CRM Discipline: </span></b>Manage a disciplined pipeline in CRM; disciplined & relentless activities cadence, track deal stages, forecast pipeline health and driven to throughout document interactions</li><li><b>Transaction Support:</b> 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.</li><li><b>Acquisitions: </b>Deliver transactions, the ultimate outcome of your efforts.</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p><b><u><span>What are we looking for?</span></u></b></p><p></p><ul><li><b>Business acumen:</b> Substantial hands-on financial and business experience in fast-paced, high-performing, work environments.</li><li><b>M&A experience:</b> Fluent in discussing the M&A process, valuations, and exiting a business. Experienced in engaging with founders and senior executives.</li><li><b>An exceptional relationship builder:</b> 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.</li><li><b>A natural, outgoing connector:</b> Naturally engages with people in everyday life, effortlessly building rapport in casual interactions. Comfortable reaching out, connecting, and fostering relationships with business owners.</li><li><b>Highly efficient research and outreach skills:</b> A quick study who can profile, assess, and interpret a company and its leaders within minutes, then confidently initiate tailored outreach.</li><li><b>Intellectual curiosity: </b>Continuously observes, analyzes, and learns from each interaction, building on past experiences to gain deeper insight.</li><li><b>A high achiever:</b> 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.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><u><span>Non-Negotiables </span></u></b></p><p></p><ul><li><b>Financial literacy</b>: ability to interpret financial statements and discuss basic valuation drivers</li><li><b>Committed</b>: Career history of working at employers >3+ years</li><li><b>Communication</b>: Advanced communication & interpersonal skills</li><li><b>Discipline:</b> Exceptional self drive, meticulous organization, relentless execution of daily tasks</li><li><b>Urgency:</b> Extraordinary work ethic, proactive with a sense of urgency</li><li><b>“Hunter” mentality:</b> demonstrable success in cold outreach</li><li><b>Long Term Mindset:</b> extensive meaningful long-term relationships in personal life</li><li><b>Travel:</b> 10–20% within Canada/USA for founder meetings and industry events.</li></ul><p></p><p><b><u>Long Term Mindset</u></b></p><p></p><p>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. </p><p></p><p>Initiating relationships, maintaining relationships, and ultimately being considered and chosen to be acquired by Harris/Constellation <b><u>typically takes multiple years</u></b></p><p></p><p><b><u>Who are we looking for?</u></b></p><p></p><p>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:</p><ul><li>• K-12 or Higher Education industry background | SME<br />• Investment sourcing/origination<br />• Outbound SaaS sales<br />• Investment banking or other investing roles<br />• Growth/GTM (early/growth stage or sponsor-backed)<br /> </li></ul><p></p><p><b><u><span>What We Offer</span></u></b></p><ul><li>Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits.</li><li>Robust training and development, including mentorship from experienced M&A professionals and exposure to the full deal lifecycle.</li><li>Career growth within an acquisitive, growth oriented, decentralized organization | ability to grow within an organization over the long term<br /> </li></ul><p><b><span>Salary: Target earnings $120,000 to $140,000 | $80,000 - $100,000 base + variable of $40,000</span></b></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>