Sr Research Manager (M&A) - 18754

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

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.