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Deal TeamManaging Director

Managing Director (Deal Team)

Managing Director (Deal Team) Official Job Description Title: Managing Director, Deal Team Department / Team: Deal Team Location: Remote Employment Type: Independent Contractor

About the Firm

Dark Alpha Capital LLC is an investment firm focused on acquiring private companies. We partner with successful businesses seeking a pathway to an exit transaction. Our investors include specialized financial institutions, family offices, and current and former entrepreneurs with extensive experience owning, managing, and operating successful private companies across the lower middle market.

Role Summary

Dark Alpha Capital is seeking an experienced Managing Director to join the Deal Team and lead the execution of lower middle market acquisition transactions. This individual will play a central role in transaction formation, negotiation, valuation, financial analysis, transaction management, and successful deal closings. The Managing Director will oversee due diligence processes, coordinate with legal counsel, manage transaction workflows, and supervise associates and interns assigned to active transactions. While the role may include selective origination and relationship-building activities, the primary focus is on evaluating, structuring, negotiating, and closing transactions. The ideal candidate possesses extensive M&A transaction experience, strong financial and negotiation capabilities, leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.

Key Responsibilities

Deal Formation and Closing

  • Analyze target companies to ensure alignment with Dark Alpha Capital’s investment criteria
  • Evaluate management teams and business quality for leveraged buyout suitability
  • Review Confidential Information Memorandums (CIMs) and transaction materials against internal screening criteria
  • Lead negotiations of Letters of Intent (LOIs) with business owners and counterparties
  • Present transaction opportunities and LOIs to the Investment Committee
  • Oversee execution and progression of LOIs through transaction closing
  • Structure and negotiate transaction terms including seller financing, earn-outs, equity participation, and upfront consideration
  • Negotiate transitional services agreements, consulting agreements, and employment arrangements between buyers and sellers
  • Negotiate net working capital adjustment structures and determine target working capital levels
  • Manage transaction timelines, working groups, and diligence coordination processes
  • Serve as transaction lead and project manager across active deal processes
  • Coordinate with lenders, investors, legal counsel, accountants, and third-party advisors to facilitate successful transaction execution

Valuation and Financial Analysis

  • Assess historical and adjusted EBITDA performance for prospective acquisition targets
  • Evaluate historical financial trends, operational performance, and growth metrics
  • Collaborate with target companies and advisors to identify EBITDA normalization adjustments and quality of earnings considerations
  • Conduct company valuations utilizing appropriate methodologies including comparable transactions, precedent analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, and leveraged buyout modeling
  • Prepare and communicate Indications of Interest (IOIs) and valuation expectations
  • Supervise associates, analysts, and interns supporting valuation and financial analysis activities
  • Review and validate financial models, transaction analyses, and investment materials prepared by support staff

Oversee Due Diligence and Legal Documentation

  • Oversee financial, operational, commercial, legal, tax, ESG, human resources, integration, and risk-related diligence processes
  • Ensure diligence workstreams are completed thoroughly and in accordance with company standards
  • Coordinate with external advisors, consultants, accountants, and legal counsel throughout transaction execution
  • Collaborate with attorneys in negotiating and drafting purchase agreements and related transaction documents
  • Review and oversee execution of legal documentation in a timely and efficient manner
  • Ensure transaction risks and findings are appropriately communicated to stakeholders and decision-makers

Team Leadership and Management

  • Supervise associates, analysts, and interns assigned to active transaction processes
  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and transaction-related training to junior team members
  • Ensure high standards of professionalism, analytical quality, responsiveness, and execution across project teams
  • Facilitate communication among internal stakeholders, external advisors, counterparties, and investors
  • Monitor project progress and ensure timely completion of transaction deliverables
  • Support development of scalable internal transaction processes and operational best practices

Origination (Secondary Responsibility)

  • Utilize commercially reasonable efforts to identify and source investment opportunities aligned with the firm’s investment strategy
  • Develop and maintain relationships with intermediaries, business owners, operators, lenders, and industry professionals
  • Participate in networking and relationship-building activities to support long-term deal flow development.

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field
  • Minimum of 3–10 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or related transactional roles
  • Demonstrated experience in deal execution, negotiation, valuation, and transaction management
  • Strong understanding of lower middle market M&A transactions and leveraged buyout structures
  • Experience overseeing due diligence processes and coordinating with legal counsel and external advisors
  • Strong financial modeling, valuation, and analytical capabilities
  • Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
  • High degree of professionalism, integrity, and accountability
  • Strong project management and leadership capabilities

Preferred

  • MBA or advanced degree preferred
  • Existing relationships within the private equity, investment banking, or lower middle market ecosystem
  • Experience leading acquisition transactions from sourcing through closing
  • Prior experience mentoring junior investment professionals
  • Familiarity with independent sponsor transaction structures and private capital markets

Skills and Competencies

  • Advanced financial analysis and valuation expertise
  • Transaction structuring and negotiation capabilities
  • Strong leadership and team development skills
  • Strategic thinking and commercial judgment
  • High attention to detail and execution discipline
  • Ability to operate independently with limited oversight
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
  • Effective prioritization and multitasking across concurrent deals
  • Deep understanding of lower middle market acquisition processes

Reporting Structure and Work Environment

Reports To:
Senior Leadership / Managing Partners

Direct Reports:
Associates, Analysts, and Interns assigned to active transactions

Work Environment:

  • Standard office hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (EST)
  • Remote-first, entrepreneurial work environment
  • Flexible scheduling with responsiveness required during active transactions and deal processes
  • Collaborative, high-performance culture focused on execution and accountability
  • Frequent interaction with business owners, investors, lenders, attorneys, and external advisors
  • Opportunity to work across a wide range of industries and transaction structures

Compensation

This position is structured as an independent contractor role and does not include a base salary or retainer.

Compensation will be performance-based and tied directly to successful transaction closings and responsibilities undertaken throughout the deal lifecycle. The compensation structure may include transaction-based fees, profit participation, and performance incentives, as outlined in the applicable consulting agreement.

Compensation eligibility and economics will be determined based on transaction involvement, execution responsibilities, and overall contribution to successful deal outcomes.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Dark Alpha Capital LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role; duties may change over time as business needs evolve.