Private Equity Business Development Executive

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Withum seeks a Business Development Executive who will be the firm’s ambassador to private equity sponsors, independent sponsors, and intermediaries. Working closely with Practice Leaders, this person will develop and execute a sponsor‑coverage strategy, cultivate relationships, and identify service opportunities. The ideal candidate speaks the language of private equity, understands deal dynamics and structures, and thrives in a relationship-driven environment. This person will proactively expand the firm’s presence within the sponsor community and drive high-quality opportunities for the platform. In addition, they will strategize with the National Private Equity Industry Leader and will collaborate closely with the Transaction Advisory, Investment Banking, and Valuation teams to originate and advance deal opportunities and strengthen the firm’s position within the private equity ecosystem. This person can sit in any of our Northeast office locations.

Key Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

Relationship Building & Sponsor Coverage

• Identifying, cultivating, and managing relationships with middle‑market private equity funds, independent sponsors and investment banks
• Serving as the firm’s primary point of contact for sponsors, investment bankers and other deal sources, ensuring high‑touch, long‑term relationships
• Building, maintaining, and expanding a robust network by attending conferences, industry events and targeted outreach campaigns
• Understanding the needs of private equity across the lifecycle of the deal, from sourcing to deal execution & integration through value creation and exit, in order to identify opportunities where the firm’s capabilities can add value to clients and prospects
• Collaborating with marketing and data teams to develop targeted content, insights, and collateral that support proactive account management, relationship development, and cross-selling across the firm’s service lines
  
  

Origination & Pipeline Management

• Developing and implementing a sponsor‑coverage and origination plan aligned with firm strategy; tracking progress using CRM and KPIs (e.g., proposal requests submitted)
• Building and maintaining a pipeline of M&A and other transaction opportunities through research, networking and targeted outreach
• Conducting high‑level screening of opportunities and coordinating with service teams to assess strategic fit
• Overseeing data‑driven business‑development strategies and ensure timely, high‑quality results
• Collaborating with partners and functional experts to secure new business, drive revenue growth and enable cross‑selling across practice lines
  
  

Market Intelligence & Thought Leadership

• Staying current on private‑equity market trends, regulatory developments and industry news; circulate insights internally
• Producing and publishing thought‑leadership pieces on investment trends, valuations and sector dynamics
• Conducting commission research on markets, clients and competitors to inform origination strategy and marketing efforts
  
  

Team Collaboration & Culture

• Working closely with service teams to source opportunities and present firm capabilities to build credibility and relationships within the private equity and investment banking communities
• Coaching other business development professionals in the best practices to drive private equity and deal activity in their markets
• Working with industry niche leaders to expand penetration to private equity firms and their portfolio companies
  
  

Experience Requirements

• 7 years of business development, investment banking, private equity or sponsor‑coverage experience with a demonstrated record of originating middle‑market opportunities
• Deep network within the private‑equity community and proven ability to develop and nurture relationships
• Comprehensive understanding of private‑equity transactions, deal structures and fund dynamics
• Strong understanding of accounting, tax and advisory services, and private equity buying patterns
• Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills; ability to speak industry language and build trust quickly
• Strategic thinker with strong project‑management and organizational abilities; capable of managing multiple workstreams end‑to‑end
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable with presentations and thought‑leadership content
• Entrepreneurial, self‑motivated and able to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment
• Team player who will work closely with practice leaders to achieve strategic objectives
  
  

Other Requirements

• Willingness to travel nationally to meet sponsors and attend industry events
• Commitment to confidentiality and high ethical standards
  
  

This Role Reports Directly To

• Director of Business Development
• Work closely with Partner and Private Equity Industry Leader
  
  

The at‑plan/on‑target earnings (base commission) for this role are $350,000, with no cap. This may vary by location for candidates residing in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, or Washington State. For candidates residing in these states, salary will vary based on the candidate’s specific location. In addition to compensation, Withum offers a competitive benefits package. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including the specific role, hiring location, and the individual’s skills, experience, and qualifications. For additional information on our benefits, please visit our careers page at https://www.withum.com/careers/. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

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WithumSmith Brown, PC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, (including pregnancy), genetic information, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, disability or handicap, veteran status, weight, height, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.