Job Title: Associate, Corporate Development
FLSA Status: Exempt
Group: Regular - Full Time
Department: Corporate Development
Location: Houston
Job OverviewThe Associate, Corporate Development will partner directly with the Vice President of Cooper Components to execute strategic acquisitions end-to-end - from sourcing and evaluation through diligence, transaction execution, and post-close integration.
This is a unique hybrid role that blends traditional corporate development responsibilities with hands-on portfolio management. This position provides direct exposure to operating businesses and P&L ownership post-close, creating a true builder's path within a growing platform.
The ideal candidate combines strong financial modeling expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate across Finance, Operations, HR, Legal, and Executive Leadership during transaction evaluation and integration planning.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesDeal Sourcing & Pipeline Development- Develop and manage a proactive pipeline of acquisition targets aligned with Cooper Components' strategic priorities
- Conduct outreach to founder-owned and private equity-backed businesses
- Apply screening frameworks to prioritize targets
- Maintain pipeline tracking tool
Deal Evaluation & Financial Modeling- Build integrated financial models
- Analyze revenue quality, margin structure, working capital, and EBITDA adjustments
- Prepare investment memos and Board material
Due Diligence & Transaction Execution- Project manage cross-functional diligence workstreams (finance, tax, legal, HR, operations, commercial)
- Coordinate external advisors
- Manage deal timelines to drive successful closings
Post-Close Integration- Execute 100-day integration plans
- Stand up reporting structures and KPIs
- Partner with functional leaders to align processes, systems, and teams
- Track synergy realization and value capture
Portfolio Management & Value Creation- Support full P&L oversight of newly acquired business units within Cooper Components
- Partner with local leadership to drive revenue growth, gross margin expansion, and operational efficiencies
- Support pricing, cost reduction, and working capital improvement initiatives
- Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reporting for executive leadership
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field required
- MBA or CPA preferred
- 2-4 years of experience in Corporate Development, Consulting, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Strategic Finance, or related field
- Financial modeling and PowerPoint expertise required
- Direct exposure to M&A transactions, due diligence preferred
- Experience in industrial, energy, manufacturing, or field service environments preferred
Competencies - Advanced financial modeling and valuation expertise
- Strong operational and commercial acumen
- Ability to transition seamlessly between strategy and execution
- High attention to detail with executive-level synthesis capabilities
- Project management and stakeholder coordination skills
- Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
- Interest in industrial services, manufacturing, and natural gas compression markets
