Director of M&A Research

Company Description —Blue River is an investment banking firm representing buyers (e.g., private equity firms, family offices, and public corporations) and sellers of privately held middle-market businesses. 

Job Description

• Research  - The Director of Research will perform in-depth industry research to support Blue River’s Buy-Side and Sell-Side Divisions. The position requires an ability to perform in-depth industry research on behalf of institutionally acquisitive clients, which partially includes:
• Identifying attractive industries for investment.
• Assessing industry trends.
• Gathering private transaction data.
• Gathering industry and valuation insights by examining publicly traded companies’ 10K Reports, annual reports, and other forward-looking statements.
• Gathering industry benchmark data.
• Identifying potential acquisition targets and reliable contact information using databases like Capital IQ, Hoovers, Grata, SourceScrub, and other sources.
• Analyzing other industry acquirers (i.e., our client’s competition).
• Synthesize information into succinct, actionable client reports.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior management.
• Modify pre-assignment industry analysis into assignment marketing materials.
• Interact with clients (e.g., private equity firms and public corporations) to identify the best potential companies to acquire.
• Provide Blue River’s dealmakers with industry talking points.
• Produce modified reports for business owners as collateral information for dealmakers to share.
• Recommend software, subscription databases, or other research tools to boost Blue River’s effectiveness on research assignments.
• Recommend tech-enabled portals for acquisition target list review and ranking by Blue River's client base.
• Lead Research Team  – Supervise, train, guide, and otherwise enable the Research Team, currently consisting of four people, to deliver routinely excellent and timely materials.
• Project Management  – Identify potential projects to enhance the Research Team’s capabilities and services to clients.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Research, or related fields.

• 3 years of experience in financial analysis or market research.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Team leadership experience.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with databases such as Capital IQ, Pitchbook, Hoovers, Grata, SourceScrub, and other sources preferred.
• Investment Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions, or Private Equity experience preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

· 401k plan.

· Health insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance.

· Paid time off.

About Blue River

Blue River Financial Group is an investment banking firm serving the needs of acquirers and sellers of privately owned middle-market companies. We enable transaction principals to make wise and regret-free decisions when considering the purchase or sale of all or portions of the business. For over 20 years in more than 50 global industries, Blue River’s award-winning services have confidentially guided corporations, private equity groups, and individuals in selling and acquiring businesses.

Our team brings extensive transaction experience and advanced M&A educational credentialing from organizations like AM&AA, NACVA, IBBA, and M&A Source. M&A Source, the leading trade association for middle market transaction advisors, named Blue River Top Firm of the Year in2022 and 2023 and Blue River’s Co-founder Advisor of the Year in 2022. The Detroit Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth named Blue River’s other Co-Founder the All-Star Investment Banker of the Year in 2023. Global Advisory Experts also named Blue River Middle Market M&A Advisory Firm of the Year in 2022.

Blue River is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that embraces people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and worldviews. We need people with diverse gifts and abilities to help us grow. However, as a precondition to employment, Blue River requires alignment with the synergistic core values that make us who we are. Blue River’s Core Values are the shared beliefs and principles that define our culture:

· Diligent to the end.

· Trustworthy in big and small matters.

· Get, apply, and share knowledge.

· The Team! The Team! The Team!

· Care and respect for all.

For more information, visit www.GoBlueRiver.com