Senior Investment Banker, Head of Middle Market M&A

My client is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Investment Banker to serve as Head of Middle Market M&A. This key leadership role oversees a national Middle Market sell-side practice, representing owner-operated companies across the United States.

Job Responsibilities:

• Direct and lead the full execution function of the M&A lifecycle for Middle Market engagements.
• Oversee active portfolio management and drive transactions through due diligence, negotiation, structuring, and closing.
• Provide high-level strategic guidance to clients, ensuring alignment with their goals and market realities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with owner-operators and executive teams.
• Serve as a trusted advisor, offering insight into market trends, valuation dynamics, buyer behavior, and strategic alternatives.
• Support clients through the emotional and strategic complexities of selling a business.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of senior bankers, associates, and analysts.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, results-oriented environment.
• Mentor team members to enhance their technical skills, client communication, and deal leadership abilities.
• Collaborate with the Middle Market Team’s dedicated Origination Unit to assist in sourcing new M&A mandates.
• Leverage your experience and credibility to support origination strategy and win new client engagements.
• Remain current on industry, economic, and M&A market trends.
• Translate market dynamics into actionable insights for clients and internal teams.
• Ensure all transactions comply with legal, regulatory, and internal risk management standards.
• Oversee due diligence processes and coordinate with legal, financial, and tax advisors.
• Proactively identify risks and ensure smooth execution across every stage.
• Supervise financial modeling, valuation assessments, strategic analysis, and deal structuring.
• Provide senior-level review and guidance to support accurate, effective financial decision-making.

Additional Leadership Expectations:

As the leader and face of the Middle Market Team, you will:

• Handle setbacks professionally and confidently.
• Lead difficult conversations with owners, acquirers, and advisors.
• Negotiate against seasoned professional buyers.
• Take responsibility for process breakdowns, even when not directly responsible.
• Foster cooperation with clients’ attorneys, accountants, and other advisors.
• Work outside normal business hours when required to meet client expectations.
• Be available for occasional short notice travel (rarely more than three days).

Job Qualifications:

• Minimum 12 years of M&A advisory experience with a proven track record executing complex middle-market sell-side transactions across industries.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large deal teams and multiple simultaneous assignments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred; JD a plus.
• Proven ability to recruit, lead, and inspire high-performing teams.
• Hands-on leader committed to developing talent.
• Exceptional client relationship and advisory skills.
• Clear history of successfully originating and executing middle market M&A engagements.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and transaction structuring skills.
• Deep understanding of legal documentation, deal mechanics, and M&A tax considerations.
• Broad-based understanding of M&A markets, buyer landscapes, and industry-specific deal dynamics.
• Extensive professional network within the M&A ecosystem.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to distill complex ideas into clear, actionable insight.