Position: Vice President, M&A Origination
Location: Remote (U.S. preferred; Eastern time zone alignment ideal)
Firm: Dark Alpha Capital LLC
Dark Alpha Capital LLC is a growing independent sponsor private equity platform dedicated to acquiring, operating, and scaling cash-generating lower-middle-market and middle-market companies across key sectors: business services, industrial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace & defense. We evaluate ~1,500 opportunities annually, maintain a diversified active pipeline, and partner deeply with seasoned operating executives and institutional capital providers to execute platform builds and roll-up strategies with disciplined value creation.
Position Overview
We are seeking a proven, entrepreneurial Vice President of M&A Origination to own, scale, and institutionalize the firm's deal sourcing engine. This executive role is mission-critical: you will drive consistent high-quality proprietary and intermediary-sourced opportunities aligned with our investment criteria, sector focus, and operational theses.
Key Responsibilities
- Broker & Intermediary Network Leadership Build, expand, and steward relationships with business brokers, boutique investment banks, M&A advisors, and other intermediaries. Act as primary POC for inbound deal flow; lead introductory calls, diligence coordination, and involvement of operating partners.
- Deal Sourcing & Pipeline Management Proactively source and evaluate deals via online platforms, broker listings, M&A databases, and proprietary channels. Own the origination pipeline: ensure accurate tracking, prioritization, velocity reporting, and timely updates to the investment team. Screen opportunities rigorously against DAC’s financial parameters, sector strategies, and investment theses.
- Proprietary Origination Strategy Design and execute targeted outbound campaigns to business owners, referral sources (accountants, attorneys), and niche networks. Optimize CRM systems, automation tools, and outbound workflows (including “the email game”) for maximum efficiency and conversion. Direct research analysts/associates on list-building, targeting, and follow-up processes.
- Leadership & Team Development Recruit, lead, mentor, and grow the origination team (associates, analysts, interns). Establish and track KPIs for sourcing productivity, pipeline health, and conversion rates. Foster a high-performance, entrepreneurial culture aligned with Dark Alpha Capital’s values.
Qualifications
- 7–12+ years in M&A origination, private equity, investment banking, corporate development, or related capital markets roles.
- Proven track record building/managing intermediary networks and generating consistent actionable deal flow.
- Expertise in proprietary sourcing: outbound campaigns, CRM optimization, automated outreach, and pipeline systems.
- Leadership experience managing junior professionals in fast-paced environments.
- Entrepreneurial mindset ideal for an independent sponsor; strong verbal/written communication and external representation skills.
Compensation
Competitive success-fee-driven structure with significant long-term economic upside tied to sourced and closed transactions. Ideal for proven originators committed to scaling a high-volume platform — no base salary or guaranteed minimum; compensation scales with attributable deal success and firm growth.
This role offers broad exposure to the full deal lifecycle in a lean, high-accountability independent sponsor environment with direct impact on pipeline quality and firm success.
If you're a sourcing leader passionate about building origination engines in private equity, apply by sending your resume, examples of past network/deal flow achievements, and brief note to: careers@darkalphacapital.com (or via our careers portal if available).
Dark Alpha Capital LLC is an equal opportunity employer and operates as an independent sponsor (not a registered broker-dealer; we do not solicit securities or provide investment advice).