M&A Research Specialist – Strategic Buyer List Building (eCommerce / Music & Entertainment Niche)

Job Type: Project-based / Hourly Estimated Time: 5-10 hours per week We are a boutique business brokerage firm looking for a specialized M&A Research Analyst / List Builder to assist in sourcing high-fit strategic buyers for a highly unique client acquisition project. This is not a generic web-scraping or low-level data entry role. We require a professional who understands the financial and operational logic behind mergers and acquisitions, specifically the "buy vs. build" thesis for strategic corporate buyers. About the Target Business: The business is small but with a high profit margin, unique product, and a premium direct-to-consumer eComm brand. It’s operating in a highly defensible niche at the intersection of music memorabilia, jewelry fabrication, and proprietary artist networks. It features an exceptionally high average order value, strong repeat purchase rates, and exclusive material supply lines. Your Responsibilities: - Strategic Mapping: Brainstorm and define 3-4 distinct buyer verticals that would derive asymmetric value from acquiring this business. - Target List Generation: Identify a clean list of 50-75 highly qualified corporate targets matching the criteria. - Key Decision-Maker Sourcing: Find and verify the direct contact information (Email and LinkedIn) for the correct points of contact within those organizations—specifically looking for roles like VP of Corporate Development, Head of M&A, Chief Strategy Officer, or CEO/Owner for mid-market firms. - Strategic Rationale Documenting: Provide a brief, 1-sentence thesis for each company explaining why they are a logical strategic fit. Required Qualifications: - Proven experience working with business brokers, investment banks, or corporate development teams. - Deep understanding of the difference between strategic and financial buyers. - Expertise utilizing premium tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Crunchbase, ZoomInfo, Apollo, or PitchBook. (You use your own set of tools.) - Ability to deliver a scrubbed, accurate spreadsheet with zero bounce-rate contact info. - Excellent communication skills and strict adherence to project confidentiality.