Business Development Associate
Soul Equity Solutions, Chicago, IL, United States
Private Equity Business Development Associate
The Business Development Associate will play a central role in driving this firm's proprietary deal origination efforts. Based in Chicago, this individual will work closely with a seasoned BD team to source new investment opportunities, cultivate relationships with intermediaries, and ensure the firm's pipeline remains full of high-quality, healthcare-focused opportunities aligned with the firm's investment theses. The ideal candidate is a proactive, highly organized, and relationship-oriented self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, brings credibility and presence to both founder conversations and intermediary relationships, and is motivated by the tangible impact of their sourcing efforts on the firm's investment activity.
Key Responsibilities
Leading direct calling and proprietary sourcing efforts
Supporting firm's portfolio companies in their pursuit of add-on investments through market mapping, target list development, and direct outreach as needed
Engaging long-tail investment banks, business brokers, and other intermediaries through outbound calls, in-person meetings, and industry conferences to ensure the firm sees relevant deal flow
Strengthening existing intermediary relationships and developing new ones, with a structured approach to coverage and regular touch points with top-tier deal sources
Representing the firm at conferences, trade shows, and industry association events relevant to the healthcare sector
Assisting with initial deal screening using established firm criteria and helping qualify new investment opportunities for team review
Diligently tracking all BD activities related to pipeline, deal flow, and funnel metrics within the firm's CRM system
Supporting monthly activities related to intermediary coverage reporting, deal data hygiene, and thesis development
Professional Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree required
25 years of professional experience, ideally with exposure to investment banking, private equity, business development, or other relevant financial or transaction-oriented work; familiarity with the healthcare industry is a significant plus
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the charisma, presence, and confidence to establish credibility with founders, CEOs, and senior intermediaries
Proactive and self-motivated; works with a sense of urgency and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Strong EQ and interpersonal skills; able to build trust and long-term relationships across a wide range of counterparties
Resourceful, process-oriented, and tech-savvy; comfortable operating in a small, entrepreneurial office environment
Salary is competitive, depending on experience.
Soul Equity Solutions is a NYC based boutique executive search firm, exclusively recruiting for Private Equity Middle Market firms. We conduct searches at all seniority levels throughout the US for both investor roles and non-investing roles (including Business Development, Investor Relations). We are well known for our highly boutique, specialized service. Our clients and candidates rely on our personal approach, strong connections, and supportive process to meet their objectives.
This firm is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
The Business Development Associate will play a central role in driving this firm's proprietary deal origination efforts. Based in Chicago, this individual will work closely with a seasoned BD team to source new investment opportunities, cultivate relationships with intermediaries, and ensure the firm's pipeline remains full of high-quality, healthcare-focused opportunities aligned with the firm's investment theses. The ideal candidate is a proactive, highly organized, and relationship-oriented self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, brings credibility and presence to both founder conversations and intermediary relationships, and is motivated by the tangible impact of their sourcing efforts on the firm's investment activity.
Key Responsibilities
Leading direct calling and proprietary sourcing efforts
Supporting firm's portfolio companies in their pursuit of add-on investments through market mapping, target list development, and direct outreach as needed
Engaging long-tail investment banks, business brokers, and other intermediaries through outbound calls, in-person meetings, and industry conferences to ensure the firm sees relevant deal flow
Strengthening existing intermediary relationships and developing new ones, with a structured approach to coverage and regular touch points with top-tier deal sources
Representing the firm at conferences, trade shows, and industry association events relevant to the healthcare sector
Assisting with initial deal screening using established firm criteria and helping qualify new investment opportunities for team review
Diligently tracking all BD activities related to pipeline, deal flow, and funnel metrics within the firm's CRM system
Supporting monthly activities related to intermediary coverage reporting, deal data hygiene, and thesis development
Professional Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree required
25 years of professional experience, ideally with exposure to investment banking, private equity, business development, or other relevant financial or transaction-oriented work; familiarity with the healthcare industry is a significant plus
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the charisma, presence, and confidence to establish credibility with founders, CEOs, and senior intermediaries
Proactive and self-motivated; works with a sense of urgency and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Strong EQ and interpersonal skills; able to build trust and long-term relationships across a wide range of counterparties
Resourceful, process-oriented, and tech-savvy; comfortable operating in a small, entrepreneurial office environment
Salary is competitive, depending on experience.
Soul Equity Solutions is a NYC based boutique executive search firm, exclusively recruiting for Private Equity Middle Market firms. We conduct searches at all seniority levels throughout the US for both investor roles and non-investing roles (including Business Development, Investor Relations). We are well known for our highly boutique, specialized service. Our clients and candidates rely on our personal approach, strong connections, and supportive process to meet their objectives.
This firm is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.