M&A Associate (Origination Focus)

M&A Associate (Origination Focus) - Software - Madrid (Hybrid)

English Speaking

Salary - Up to €26k + 10% bonus

Our client acquires and operates mission-critical software businesses across a range of industries. As the business continues its buy-and-build acquisition strategy, they are looking to bring an M&A Associate on board to drive deal origination and pipeline generation.

This is a origination-heavy role: you'll be at the front end of the acquisition process, proactively identifying, mapping, and engaging target companies, before gaining broader exposure to due diligence and execution as the pipeline you build converts into live deals.

What You'll Do:

• Lead market mapping and sector research to identify acquisition targets aligned with the investment thesis
• Build and manage a proactive origination pipeline, screening and prioritising targets across target sectors
• Initiate and own direct outreach to business owners and founders, building relationships from first contact through to engagement
• Develop and maintain a structured CRM/pipeline of prospects, tracking conversations and follow-ups over time
• Represent the business in early-stage conversations with target companies, articulating the acquisition proposition clearly
• Support due diligence workstreams (financial, commercial, and operational) once targets progress
• Prepare investment papers and board materials summarising origination activity and deal opportunities
• Support post-acquisition planning alongside the wider team

What We're Looking for:

• Bachelors Degree
• Must Speak English
• Internship experience in Transaction Services, M&A, Investment Banking, or a origination/BD-focused role
• Strong Excel skills
• Confident, proactive communicator who is comfortable initiating direct outreach and building relationships from scratch
• Resilient and persistent — comfortable with high-volume outreach and a degree of rejection
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and moving at pace
• Sharp analytical mindset and strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Genuine interest in software and M&A