Manager - Corporate Development

Role Overview

We are looking for a Manager – Corporate Development to help Algoworks proactively identify and qualify acquisition opportunities in the IT services market.

The role will focus on researching companies, identifying early business and financial signals, assessing strategic fit, maintaining a prioritized acquisition target pipeline, and supporting initial outreach. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys company research, can develop a clear commercial perspective from incomplete information, and can translate research into actionable acquisition opportunities.

Once a target progresses into a formal deal process, valuation, due diligence, transaction structuring, and execution will be handled separately.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market & Target Research

• Build and maintain a focused list of IT services companies aligned with Algoworks acquisition priorities.
• Research company financials, service offerings, customers, delivery footprint, management changes, and ownership using public and commercial sources.
• Track relevant business and financial signals, including revenue pressure, client concentration, employee trends, management changes, lender activity, and insolvency developments.
• Identify emerging acquisition opportunities through systematic market research and ongoing target monitoring.

2. Target Assessment & Prioritization

• Assess companies for strategic fit, business quality, and potential transaction attractiveness.
• Distinguish temporary performance issues from deeper structural weaknesses and identify situations worth pursuing.
• Prepare concise target briefs outlining key facts, potential risks, open questions, and recommended next steps.
• Maintain a prioritized view of potential acquisition targets based on strategic relevance and commercial attractiveness.

3. M&A Origination Support

• Identify suitable approaches for contacting potential targets, including promoters, advisors, bankers, lenders, and relevant industry contacts.
• Prepare outreach notes and discussion materials for senior leadership.
• Support initial conversations with potential acquisition targets and relevant stakeholders.
• Help determine whether an initial conversation should progress into a formal M&A process.

4. Pipeline Management & Reporting

• Maintain a clear and current acquisition pipeline covering target status, key developments, and next actions.
• Provide concise weekly updates on new targets, changes in priority, and opportunities requiring leadership attention.
• Work with internal teams to improve data sources, research tools, and automation.
• Identify opportunities to make the acquisition search process more efficient through improved research methods and tools.

Required Technical Skills & Competencies

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience in Corporate Development, M&A Research, Investment Banking, Transaction Advisory, Investment Research, Restructuring, or a similar role.
• Strong company research and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial statements, market information, and incomplete data.
• Good understanding of business models, valuation drivers, and fundamental M&A concepts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research into clear recommendations.
• Strong Excel skills and the ability to organize, analyze, and present company and market information.
• Ability to assess potential acquisition targets, identify relevant risks, and develop independent commercial perspectives.
• Strong organizational skills for managing multiple targets and maintaining accurate acquisition pipeline information.

Must-Have Skills

• 5–8 years of relevant experience in Corporate Development, M&A Research, Investment Banking, Transaction Advisory, Investment Research, Restructuring, or a related field.
• Strong company and market research capabilities.
• Ability to analyze financial statements, business performance, and market information.
• Understanding of business models, valuation drivers, and basic M&A concepts.
• Strong analytical thinking and commercial judgment.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to prepare concise target assessments, research briefs, and executive-ready recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple acquisition targets and maintain a structured pipeline.
• Professional maturity and confidence when working with senior leadership and external stakeholders.

Good to Have Skills

• Experience in IT services, technology services, consulting, SaaS, or another B2B services environment.
• Familiarity with research databases and market intelligence tools.
• Experience with BI tools, automation, or AI-enabled research.
• Exposure to acquisition sourcing, restructuring situations, or financial and operational performance analysis.
• Experience interacting with promoters, bankers, advisors, lenders, or other M&A stakeholders.

Desired Attributes

• Curious and investigative, with the instinct to look beyond obvious information.
• Commercially practical and able to form an independent point of view.
• Comfortable conducting hands-on research and managing multiple targets simultaneously.
• Structured, proactive, and disciplined in follow-through.
• Comfortable working with senior leaders and supporting conversations with promoters, bankers, and advisors.
• Strong attention to detail and sound professional judgment.
• Able to turn incomplete information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• A collaborative team player with a positive attitude and strong professional maturity.

Interview Process

2–3 rounds of discussion.