M&A Transaction Associate

Benchmark International, one of the world’s leading sell side merger and acquisitions specialists, is now looking for an experienced and driven M&A Transaction Associate to assist this team in handling our larger sell-side engagements. The position is located in Tampa, Florida, Benchmark International’s global headquarters.

This is a largely client-facing position requiring strong skills in one or more of the following skills and a lower level of competence in, but eagerness to learn about, the remainder: accounting or finance expertise; writing ability; advanced Excel skills; empathy; and understanding of mergers and acquisitions. The Associate will be part of a team seated across the table from the world’s leading buyers and their advisors including business development teams from publicly traded companies, private equity management companies, and Big 4 accounting firms.

This team was an integral part of Benchmark International being named the Investment Bank of the Year by M&A Advisor in 2021 and Investment Bank of the Year for the Americas at the M&A Atlas Awards in 2022. In addition, the team has won three “Deal of the Year” trophies for their closed transactions over the last two years. In Pitchbook’s Q2 2023 Global League Tables for Deal Activity, Benchmark International ranked 5th for M&A Advisors in the United States and 6th globally. Unlike most in the market, we are closing more transactions in 2023 than in any prior year, something we have done in each year since opening.

Success in this role will include a well-balanced approach to contributions in two distinct areas.

I. Assist in executing on a small portfolio of businesses for sale.

· Work directly with business owners looking to exit their business or take on a strategic partner.

· Remain responsive to the MD’s, Director’s, and all client requirements including adequately prompt call-backs, perfectly-crafted correspondence, and compliance with the Terms of Engagement.

· Maintain at thorough understanding of each client in the portfolio.

· Draft portions of the clients’ marketing materials including teasers and information memoranda.

· Maintain and update files of each client in the portfolio.

· Assist as needed on engagements including, by way of example: analyzing clients’ financial records and translating those records into presentation format spreadsheets and graphs; capturing the value proposition of a business in narrative format; writing concise marketing-oriented summaries about various aspects of businesses; identifying, contacting and working with potential acquirers for our clients’ businesses; assisting clients in slicing and dicing their data in response to buyers’ requests; managing data rooms and servicing as the primary point of contact for buyer due diligence; and negotiating and finalizing net working capital and other closing adjustments.

II. Contribute to corporate growth.

· Provide frontline input to process improvement efforts.

· Participate in brand recognition events in the region and throughout the financial community.

· Contribute to office-wide and company-wide training efforts.

As a high-profile member in our organization, you must be an energetic and passionate individual with a positive and highly motivated can-do attitude. You must have the strong desire and ambition to succeed in this rewarding industry. It is also vital for your role as an M&A Associate that you possess all or some of the following: excellent analytical, mathematical, interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and negotiating skills, as well as presentation abilities.

The Associate is a client-facing role that must be able to convey bad news and deal with clients’ unique sensitivities, while keeping each client moving through the company sales process at a steady pace.

Relevant experience will include two to five years working as an M&A professional (e.g., broker, investment banker, diligence provider, accountant, attorney), preferably at (or for) a national or international investment bank(s).

The successful applicant should have most of the following skills and be eager to acquire the remainder:

· Understand the sequence of events in the company sale process.

· Have a firm understanding of financial statements, EBITDA calculations, and the process of identifying and defending add backs.

· Have a passing knowledge of the legal parameters involved in M&A transactions.

· Be familiar with a variety of transaction structures and their relevant merits and drawbacks to the seller.

· Possess the ability to learn the financial and market dynamics of new industries in relatively short periods.

· Communicate well verbally and in writing.

· Have strong Excel skills.

· Handle setbacks, having difficult conversations with business owners, negotiating against veteran professional acquirers, taking responsibility for process breakdowns even when not responsible, and fostering cooperation with client’s attorneys and accountants.

· Consistently present themselves in a professional manner in keeping with Benchmark International’s image (as shown, for example, on the company’s web site).

· Work outside normal business hours at times, whether early or late, as required by client schedules and expectations.

· Be available to travel for occasional overnight trips on short notice (rarely, if ever, longer than three days)

· Be able to obtain a Florida real estate sales associate license within 60 days of employment.

· Have no unfavorable history with FINRA, the SEC, or any state regulatory agency.

· Have no issue with working in office five days a week, in formal business attire, year-round.

On target annual compensation for Associates on the team is $160,000 but can exceed this amount.ng associates receive a bi-weekly salary totaling $50,000 to 70,000 per year. Additional compensation comes from bonuses for each transaction closed by the team. Bonuses are paid in the month after receipt of fees by the company. Overall compensation can vary from year to year based on the team’s success and on target performance. As with all Benchmark International US employees, this position includes paid time off, two paid community service days per year, medical, dental, vision, and AD&D insurance as well as the opportunity to contribute to an FSA, a Dependent FSA, and a 401(k) with company matching.

Benchmark International is one of the world’s leading merger and acquisitions specialists in the sale of mid-market companies. With offices throughout the world, we are in touch with all the major acquirers who are constantly seeking both on and off market opportunities across all sectors. The enterprise value of our transactions falls broadly within the $2 million to $300 million range. Our unique and dynamic international offering presents our clients with unparalleled global coverage, allowing them access through our exclusive databases and business intelligence facilities to both international markets and local representation.

Unfortunately, Benchmark International is not in a position to sponsor visas for candidates in its US offices at this time.

Benchmark International provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification. Equal employment opportunity includes, but is not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, leaves of absence, and termination. The company takes allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation seriously, and will promptly investigate when such behavior is reported.