M&A Business Development Associate (M&A Deal Origination/ Deal Sourcing)

Constellation Software Inc. (“CSI”) is a global acquirer and long-term owner of vertical market software companies, with more than 1,000 software businesses serving customers in over 100 countries. Juniper Group is CSI/Vela’s dedicated Travel & Hospitality software platform, operating a portfolio of more than 45 companies with global presence and deep expertise across the travel and hospitality ecosystem.

For Central Europe, Juniper Group is looking for a business development professional to identify, qualify and build relationships with high-quality travel and hospitality software companies across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and neighbouring markets. The role requires someone with genuine curiosity for the travel and hospitality industry, strong commercial judgement while driving market mapping, outbound outreach, early qualification and pipeline development for the long-term. Working closely with senior M&A leadership, you'll combine strategic thinking, hands-on origination, and confident relationship-building to source and qualify deals against our investment criteria.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identify and grow a Central Europe pipeline of Travel & Hospitality vertical software companies that fit Juniper Group’s acquisition criteria.
• Map priority subsectors across travel distribution, tour operation, hospitality operations, guest experience, connectivity, content, mapping and payments.
• Contact founders, owners and C-Suite leaders through calls, email, LinkedIn and industry events.
• Assess target companies by business model, product fit, customer base, ownership, financial profile and strategic relevance.
• Prepare concise target summaries, founder meeting notes and market insights for Juniper Group’s M&A and operating team.
• Maintain accurate + timely records of outreach and deal progression in Salesforce, leveraging CRM insights to improve processes.
• Attend and represent the company at industry events, trade shows, conferences, and in person meetings with business owners.
• Conduct outreach to founders, CEOs, executives, and other key decision-makers of software companies - via calls, LinkedIn, and email.
• Exhibit advanced outreach skills - building rapport quickly, including navigating gatekeepers, and leading conversations confidently off-script using robust pre-meeting research, if needed.
• Establish relationships with C-suite executives, founders, investment bankers, PE/VC funds, and other stakeholders.
• Nurture relationships with prospective sellers to progress them through the M&A pipeline.
• Conduct initial qualification to ensure opportunities meet investment criteria.
• Partner with M&A leadership to assess deal fit, prioritize opportunities, and present qualified targets to the internal M&A Committee weekly.
• Arrange NDAs with qualified acquisition targets and collect key situational, operational and financial information in a nuanced manner.
• Work closely with internal & external stakeholders to ensure smooth progression of deals.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred, ideally in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Hospitality, Tourism, Technology or a related field.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to assess business models, market positioning and strategic fit in a thoughtful and structured manner.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in business development, M&A sourcing, sales development, consulting, corporate development, travel technology, hospitality technology or B2B software.
• Prior M&A, PE, VC, or Corporate Development experience is an asset.
• Genuine interest in travel, hospitality and vertical software, with the ambition to develop deep-sector expertise over time.
• Exceptional communication skills and relationship-building abilities.
• Sophisticated, commercially driven and proactive, with confidence engaging founders, owners and senior executives in a professional and credible manner.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence and build trust quickly.
• High integrity & strong work ethic.
• Self-disciplined, highly organized and ambitious, with the resilience and consistency required to build a high-quality acquisition pipeline independently.
• Strong time management and multi-tasking abilities.
• Goal driven & result oriented with the ability to adapt to changing priorities, and pressures.
• Having a long-term career and success mindset.

Languages:

• Fluent English is required (must have).
• Spanish, German or another European language will be an advantage.

Business Travelling:

Regular travel across Central Europe and selected industry events, founder meetings and Juniper Group / CSI gatherings.

Location:

Based in London, with strong connectivity to Spain, Austria, Switzerland and neighboring Central European markets. Flexible working approach, mainly office-based, with the possibility to work remotely when appropriate.

What We Offer:

• Hands-on M&A origination experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Direct access to senior decision-makers - industry leaders, M&A leadership, and deal evaluation discussions.
• A front seat at how M&A is carried out at one of the largest & most successful acquirers in the world, while directly impacting its growth in a core function.
• A role combining strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and leadership responsibilities.

Compensation and Career Path:

• Competitive pay based on background and demonstrated knowledge.
• Relocation package (if applicable).
• Flexible working hours and vacation time.
• Long-term career opportunities within Juniper Group, Vela Software and CSI.