About this role.
Atomic is hiring a Deal Origination Associate to build and manage a proprietary acquisition pipeline of niche vertical software companies. The role centers on high-volume founder outreach, multi-year relationship development, early deal qualification, and supporting transactions through signed LOIs. Candidates need 2–5 years of sourcing or origination experience in private equity, a holding company, or a search fund, alongside practical financial fluency in P&Ls, SDE/EBITDA adjustments, and valuation multiples. The position is remote in the United States or Canada and includes significant travel to industry trade shows and prospective-company sites. Success depends on resilience in outbound work, sound judgment, founder trust, and the ability to operate independently across a long sales and deal cycle.
Role DNA
A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.
Job Complexity
4/5Pace & Pressure
5/5Autonomy Level
5/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.
Core skills
Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.
Sample interview questions
I would first translate the buy box into clear screening criteria, including vertical, revenue profile, ownership structure, geography, product type, and likely readiness-to-sell indicators. I would source and normalize data from industry directories, trade-show lists, software marketplaces, LinkedIn, and proprietary channels, then score targets by fit and relationship priority. I would maintain a CRM cadence that distinguishes immediate opportunities from long-term relationship investments.
I lead with a specific observation about the founder's business or vertical rather than a generic acquisition pitch. The initial message is concise, respectful, and focused on starting a confidential relationship, not forcing a transaction. I use multiple channels and a thoughtful follow-up cadence, adding relevant insights over time so the outreach earns attention and trust.
I would confirm the company serves a durable vertical, has software embedded in the customer's workflow, and has a realistic ownership and succession profile. Financially, I would review revenue quality, retention, customer concentration, margins, SDE or EBITDA add-backs, and growth consistency. If material issues conflict with the buy box, I would document the rationale and disqualify the opportunity early rather than create false pipeline.
I would separate truly discretionary, non-recurring, and non-operating expenses from costs required to run the business under new ownership. Each add-back would need evidence and a clear explanation of why it would not continue after closing. I would then calculate normalized SDE or EBITDA and use conservative assumptions when triangulating a valuation range.
I create a relationship plan based on the founder's priorities, timing, and preferred communication style. I stay useful by sharing relevant market observations, checking in around meaningful business milestones, and following through on every commitment without manufacturing urgency. Consistency and discretion are essential because the objective is to be the trusted first call when the founder is ready.
We are a stealth vertical AI holding company building the world’s largest distributor of AI to industries who will never buy it directly from model labs.
We acquire hyper-niche vertical software companies serving the forgotten economy – lumber suppliers, elevator repair, marinas, mobile home parks, tow trucks, locksmiths, tattoo parlors, pest control, sign manufacturers, and 20+ other overlooked verticals. We buy the systems of record these industries already run on, then layer AI agents and embedded fintech on top to compound cash flow. Every acquisition is a permanent home for a founder’s life work.
More about who we are will be shared under NDA.
The Role
You are the tip of the spear. Your job is to find, engage, and build multi-year trust relationships with software founders in 25+ niche verticals so that when they decide to sell, we are the only call they make.
This is not a warm-inbound seat. It’s not investment banking. It’s outbound origination + relationship compounding + deal quarterbacking – the exact function that separates Constellation’s operating groups from every wannabe roll-up that has flamed out.
What You’ll Do…
Own the top of funnel end-to-end. Build and maintain a proprietary pipeline of 2,000+ target companies across our buy box, mapped by vertical, ARR, ownership structure, and readiness-to-sell signals.
Run heavy outbound. 100+ meaningful founder touches per week – cold email, LinkedIn, phone, handwritten notes, in-person visits. We measure conversations, not activity theater.
Build 3-year relationships. Most founders in our verticals sell once. Your win rate is a function of being the trusted party in their inbox for years before the LOI conversation happens.
Show up in the physical world. Attend 8–12 industry-specific trade shows per year. This is where the deals live.
Qualify ruthlessly against the buy box (below). No happy ears. If a target doesn’t fit, kill it early.
Quarterback deals from first call to signed LOI. Financial pre-diligence, valuation triangulation, LOI drafting support with the M&A lead.
Leverage our proprietary distribution. We already reach 50K+ founders and operators through owned channels – your job is to convert that audience into founder conversations.
On Day 1 we expect you to have…
2-5 years in deal sourcing / origination at a private equity firm, holding company, or search fund.
You’ve done cold outbound at scale and enjoyed it. If a cold email makes you flinch, this is the wrong seat.
Financial literacy: you can read a P&L, calculate SDE/EBITDA add-backs, and sanity-check a 4x multiple in your head.
High-trust operator. Founders will share their most personal financial information with you. You are their fiduciary before you are ours.
You’ve read every Constellation Software president’s letter. Or you will by Week 2.
Nice to have…
Domain experience in any of our target verticals or a prior small software exit.
Who You Are not
A banker looking for a comfortable seat and 2/20 economics
Someone who needs a warm lead list handed to them
A “network person” who can’t send 50 cold emails a day
Anyone allergic to visiting a lumber yard in rural areas
We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you’re excited about this role, but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply.
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Atomic is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis forbidden under federal, state, or local law.
Please review our CCPA policies here.
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