Job Description
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COOK M&A ADVISORY SERVICES (Chicago, IL)
1/14/2026
ABOUT THE ROLE
An exciting opportunity is available for a driven and visionary deal-making professional to join one of the leading M&A advisory firms in the industry. In this role, you will lead the Business Development, Outbound Sales, and Marketing efforts; representing our firm, maintaining current private equity relationships, and securing new PE opportunities through the expansion of our relationships and services. The ideal candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree, strong interpersonal communication skills, effective time management and organizational skills, excellent verbal and written skills, self-motivation, drive and passion, a professional approach to work, ability to think independently and quickly, maintain professional development, and a confident nature.
FIVE VALUES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES WITH THE SEAT
From Ripples to Waves – Little things eventually can create a large impact. With that, this role will identify potential clients by growing, maintaining, and leveraging internal and external networks and databases; then demonstrate follow-through with all aspects of the sales process; provide regular reporting updates in CRM and to the Leadership Team.
Walk the Talk – The work is hard and requires determination/grit. This person will serve as the lead point-of-contact for existing private equity firms, helping expand their use of Cook M&A Advisory services into their firm and their portfolio companies.
Be The Unsung Hero – Do the work and don’t worry about who gets credit; deal making is a team game. This candidate will work with the team to develop opportunities to meet collective goals and objectives. Creating and following processes is a requirement for this role.
Carpe Dealum – Seize the day and win the deals. This role will require prospecting skills to match opportunities with leaders/principals from private equity and family offices located throughout the United States, whether through our traditional Sponsors or through our CookConnect process.
For Crying Out Loud, Have Fun – Regularly network and collaborate with private equity industry professionals (up to 10-15% travel), spread the good word that is Cook M&A, and be a positive, vibrant member of the Cook team.
DELIVERABLES
Field inbound meeting requests and targeted outbound meetings with private equity groups throughout the country.
\ Qualify groups following a specific internal validation process.
Prepare follow up materials, summaries of previous experience, and engagement contracts.
Follow up to acquire engagement contracts.
Work the internal process to successfully kick off engagements.
Assist in the identification and connection between targeted financial sponsors and relevant target companies.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree and minimum 5+ years’ experience in a sales and/or business development role.
Proven sales prospecting skills and track record of high-performance, growing and maintaining business relationships.
Demonstrable success meeting outlined objectives and goals.
M&A or PE related experience is a plus.
Sense of urgency for goal achievement, varied activities, managing multiple and simultaneous projects, multi-tasking, fast-paced environment.
Results-focused idea generation, process following/improvement, innovative and creative problem solving, rapport and relationship building.
Action-oriented.
Quick decision making in response to changing conditions.
Extroverted, confident, enthusiastic, persuasive influence, stimulates others to action, collaborative spirit.
Accountability for results.
INTANGIBLES
Competitive Spirit, Results Oriented, Self-starter, Sense of Urgency, Team Player, Organized
BENEFITS
Competitive base salary ($95,000 to $125,000) plus competitive commission structure, Healthcare, 401k
ABOUT COOK M&A ADVISORY SERVICES
Founded in 1996, and headquartered in Chicago, The Cook M&A Advisory team delivers transaction-focused strategic advice to private equity investors, family offices, corporations, executives and owners in buy-side transactions. We work with businesses across all industry sectors and sizes to understand the market, identify potential acquisition targets, assist in due diligence, and resolve transaction issues throughout the process. Our company culture is characterized by transparency, flexibility and personal relationships, which has resulted in hundreds of successful transactions with enterprise values ranging from $5 million to $5 billion.
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