Private Equity Business Development Executive

WithumSmith+Brown•Philadelphia, MA

19h•$150,000 - $175,000

About The Position

Withum seeks a Business Development Executive who will be the firm’s ambassador to private equity sponsors, independent sponsors, and intermediaries. Working closely with Practice Leaders, this person will develop and execute a sponsor‑coverage strategy, cultivate relationships, and identify service opportunities. The ideal candidate speaks the language of private equity, understands deal dynamics and structures, and thrives in a relationship-driven environment. This person will proactively expand the firm’s presence within the sponsor community and drive high-quality opportunities for the platform. In addition, they will strategize with the National Private Equity Industry Leader and will collaborate closely with the Transaction Advisory, Investment Banking, and Valuation teams to originate and advance deal opportunities and strengthen the firm’s position within the private equity ecosystem. This person can sit in any of our Northeast office locations.

Requirements

7+ years of business development, investment banking, private equity or sponsor‑coverage experience with a demonstrated record of originating middle‑market opportunities
Deep network within the private‑equity community and proven ability to develop and nurture relationships
Comprehensive understanding of private‑equity transactions, deal structures and fund dynamics
Strong understanding of accounting, tax and advisory services, and private equity buying patterns
Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills; ability to speak industry language and build trust quickly
Strategic thinker with strong project‑management and organizational abilities; capable of managing multiple workstreams end‑to-end
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable with presentations and thought‑leadership content
Entrepreneurial, self‑motivated and able to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment
Team player who will work closely with practice leaders to achieve strategic objectives
Willingness to travel nationally to meet sponsors and attend industry events
Commitment to confidentiality and high ethical standards

Responsibilities

Relationship Building & Sponsor Coverage Identifying, cultivating, and managing relationships with middle‑market private equity funds, independent sponsors and investment banks
Serving as the firm’s primary point of contact for sponsors, investment bankers and other deal sources, ensuring high‑touch, long‑term relationships
Building, maintaining, and expanding a robust network by attending conferences, industry events and targeted outreach campaigns
Understanding the needs of private equity across the lifecycle of the deal, from sourcing to deal execution & integration through value creation and exit, in order to identify opportunities where the firm’s capabilities can add value to clients and prospects
Collaborating with marketing and data teams to develop targeted content, insights, and collateral that support proactive account management, relationship development, and cross-selling across the firm’s service lines
Developing and implementing a sponsor‑coverage and origination plan aligned with firm strategy; tracking progress using CRM and KPIs (e.g., proposal requests submitted)
Building and maintaining a pipeline of M&A and other transaction opportunities through research, networking and targeted outreach
Conducting high‑level screening of opportunities and coordinating with service teams to assess strategic fit
Overseeing data‑driven business‑development strategies and ensure timely, high‑quality results
Collaborating with partners and functional experts to secure new business, drive revenue growth and enable cross‑selling across practice lines
Staying current on private‑equity market trends, regulatory developments and industry news; circulate insights internally
Producing and publishing thought‑leadership pieces on investment trends, valuations and sector dynamics
Conducting commission research on markets, clients and competitors to inform origination strategy and marketing efforts
Working closely with service teams to source opportunities and present firm capabilities to build credibility and relationships within the private equity and investment banking communities
Coaching other business development professionals in the best practices to drive private equity and deal activity in their markets
Working with industry niche leaders to expand penetration to private equity firms and their portfolio companies