M&A Research & Operations Lead (Private Equity / M&A Advisory) - A284

Industry

Operations

Work Arrangement

Remote (with required overlap during U.S. business hours)

Job Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

40 hours per week with consistent overlap during EST business hours

Locations:

• Anywhere Remote (LATAM, Philippines, South America)

About Pearl Talent

Pearl works with the top 1% of candidates from around the world and connects them with the best startups in the US and EU. Our clients have raised over $5B in aggregate and are backed by companies like OpenAI, a16z, and Founders Fund. They’re looking for the sharpest, hungriest candidates who they can consistently promote and work with over many years. Candidates we’ve hired have been flown out to the US and EU to work with their clients, and even promoted to roles that match folks onshore in the US.

Hear why we exist, what we believe in, and who we’re building for: WATCH HERE

Why Work with Us?

At Pearl, we’re not just another recruiting firm—we connect you with exceptional opportunities to work alongside visionary US and EU founders. Our focus is on placing you in roles where you can grow, be challenged, and build long-term, meaningful careers.

About the Company

Our client is a tech-enabled buy-side M&A advisory firm serving private equity investors focused on acquiring essential services businesses across North America. The firm leverages data, automation, and proprietary research methodologies to identify high-quality acquisition targets at scale. Operating in a fast-paced, experimentation-driven environment, the company prioritizes speed, analytical rigor, and automation-first thinking to support investment decision-making.

Role Overview

The Research Lead will support M&A origination by identifying and profiling acquisition targets for private equity clients. This role focuses on reviewing and refining company lists, conducting structured research, managing CRM data, and preparing prospect information for outreach. You will combine analytical thinking, attention to detail, and high agency to meet weekly lead generation goals. The ideal candidate has experience in finance, banking, or lead generation, understands private equity and M&A concepts, and thrives in autonomous, execution-heavy roles.

Your Impact

You will directly influence deal flow by producing clean, structured, and actionable company data that informs investment decisions. Your research, list management, and database work will improve outreach quality, decision-making efficiency, and pipeline accuracy. By maintaining accurate CRM records and tracking lead generation metrics, you will ensure operational effectiveness and support the success of the origination team.

Core Responsibilities

Lead Research & Data Management – 50%

• Review, clean, and refine company lists to meet investment criteria.
• Conduct structured online research to profile potential acquisition targets.
• Identify and verify owner and decision-maker contact information.
• Input, organize, and maintain company and contact data in Airtable and spreadsheets.

Prospect List Building & Tool Utilization – 30%

• Use public databases, directories, and scraping tools to create high-quality prospect lists.
• Collaborate with data analysts to consolidate insights and improve sourcing quality.
• Support outreach preparation with clear, accurate, and actionable data sets.

Ad Hoc Support & Reporting – 20%

• Prepare research trackers and weekly list reviews.
• Assist with administrative tasks and ad hoc research requests.
• Provide ongoing reporting to track lead generation performance and database health.

Requirements

Must-Haves (Required)

• Fluent English (spoken and written).
• Experience with lead generation, research, or data management (finance, banking, or advisory preferred).
• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, and adherence to criteria.
• Comfortable learning and using new tools quickly.
• Reliable internet connection and ability to work independently.
• Familiarity with CRM and data management tools such as Airtable, ZoomInfo, or Apollo.
• General understanding of M&A or private equity concepts (learnable on the job).

Nice-to-Haves (Preferred)

• Experience with Claude Code, Python, or low-code automation tools (e.g., Zapier, GPT).
• Familiarity with sourcing platforms (Grata, Inven).
• Experience with structured research at advisory or private equity firms.
• Exposure to deal sourcing, M&A advisory, or investment operations.

Tools Proficiency

Must-Haves (Required)

• SourceScrub
• RocketReach
• ZoomInfo
• Grata
• Make.com
• n8n
• Airtable
• GPT-class LLMs
• Claude
• Apollo
• Excel/Google Sheets

Nice-to-Haves (Preferred)

• Orum
• Python-based scraping tools
• AI agents and automation frameworks
• Zapier
• Claude Code
• Inven

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: Based on experience and skills

• Remote Work: Fully remote—work from anywhere
• Performance Bonus: Based on data accuracy, reporting timeliness, and overall sales efficiency
• Team Incentives: Recognition for maintaining 100% CRM hygiene and on-time reporting
• Generous PTO: In accordance with company policy
• Health Coverage for PH-based talents: HMO coverage after 3 months for full-time employees
• Direct Mentorship: Guidance from international industry experts
• Learning & Development: Ongoing access to resources for professional growth
• Global Networking: Connect with professionals worldwide

Our Recruitment Process

1. Application
2. Screening
3. Skills Assessment
4. Top-grading Interview
5. Client Interview
6. Job Offer
7. Client Onboarding

Ready to Join Us?

If this role aligns with your skills and goals, apply now to take the next step in your journey with Pearl.