Corporate Development (M&A)
Private Equity | Chicago Area
A well-capitalized, Chicago-based private equity sponsor is expanding its Corporate Development (M&A) team amid continued growth and increased deal volume. This is a unique opportunity for a high-performing transaction professional to gain hands-on exposure across a high-activity portfolio and fast-track into a corporate development leadership role.
The Opportunity
This role sits within an internal team that functions as an in-house management consulting and M&A execution team supporting portfolio companies across multiple industries. Team members partner closely with senior investment and operating leaders to implement best-in-class M&A processes and directly support add-on acquisitions.
The program is intentionally designed as a 2–5-year development track, with the expectation that strong performers will transition into corporate development or finance leadership roles within portfolio companies.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Support M&A and corporate development best-practice implementations across portfolio companies
- Partner with senior deal and operating leaders to identify value creation opportunities and execute against them
- Provide interim M&A support to portfolio companies, including:
- Financial analysis and valuation support
- Coordination of financial diligence and closing processes
- Project management of add-on acquisitions
- Help build and maintain centralized M&A tools, templates, and playbooks used across the portfolio
- Present findings and insights to senior stakeholders, including investment professionals and portfolio company leadership
Ideal Background
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 2+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
- Transaction Advisory Services (TAS)
- Financial Due Diligence (FDD)
- Investment Banking
- Private Equity
- Consulting or Corporate Finance
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to dig into detailed financial and operating data
- Comfortable working in ambiguous environments and managing multiple workstreams
- Strong communication skills and experience presenting to senior stakeholders
Why This Role Stands Out
- High deal volume and exposure across multiple industries
- Direct visibility to senior leadership and decision-makers
- Real ownership in transactions — not just analysis support
- Clear path into a portfolio company corporate development or finance leadership role
- Competitive compensation package including base salary, bonus, and full benefits
