M&A Operations Associate (Remote)

Ownershift is a for-profit, purpose-driven acquisition platform that purchases high-quality, long-tenured small businesses from retiring owners and implements broad-based employee ownership programs upon closing, enabling employees to directly participate in business success. Our goal is to become the preferred buyer for retiring owners by offering quick, efficient acquisitions and facilitating employee ownership legacies. This creates a win-win for retiring owners, employees, communities, and investors, ensuring secure financial positions and legacies for owners, financial participation and wealth creation paths for employees, retention of valuable businesses for communities, and strong financial returns for investors.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a M&A Operations Associate who can effectively navigate the complexities of transitioning ownership and business practices from acquired companies into our growing organization. This role requires a blend of hands-on involvement in daily tasks and strategic thinking to ensure long-term success. You’ll need to be adaptable and resourceful, managing a variety of responsibilities ranging from operational transitions to compliance and reporting. Comfort with ambiguity and a proactive approach to problem-solving are essential, as each acquisition presents unique challenges. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working across multiple functions, thrives in a fast-paced startup environment, and leads transition efforts with creativity and resilience.

How you’ll make an impact: 

• Perform key administrative tasks related to business transitions, identifying recurring patterns to create more efficient processes for future integrations.
• Lead ownership and business practice transitions from retiring owners, helping acquired companies adapt to new leadership and operational models.
• Collaborate closely with M&A, finance, HR, operations, IT, and legal teams to ensure smooth transitions, addressing both immediate needs and long-term objectives.
• Maintain a strategic focus, balancing day-to-day tasks with an eye on achieving operational efficiency, leadership transitions, and organizational alignment.
• Develop and execute integration plans, managing cross-functional projects while also completing the hands-on work required to ensure success.
• Tackle complex, evolving challenges with a proactive mindset, using each situation as a learning opportunity to refine future transitions.
• Support the transition of assets, business registrations, insurance, and benefits into new entities created for each acquisition.
• Migrate financial systems (e.g., QuickBooks) and payroll systems (e.g., Gusto), ensuring seamless integration.
• Assist in leadership recruitment and onboarding for new Presidents and senior management at the acquired businesses.
• Ability to review and understand budgets, financial models, and forecasts. Building financial models is a plus but not required.
• Maintain organized records and data rooms, ensuring all critical documents are transferred and managed properly.

What you’ll bring to the table: 

• 2-4 years of experience in integration, cross-departmental coordination, project management, or related fields. Direct M&A experience is a plus but not required.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle diverse tasks while maintaining a strategic perspective.
• A hands-on, problem-solving mindset, capable of identifying recurring challenges and implementing long-term, strategic solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments and stakeholders.
• A proactive, "figure it out" attitude, with a desire to learn, adapt, and solve complex problems while continuously improving processes.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment where ambiguity and uncertainty are the norms.
• Ability to travel 1-2 times per month to support transition efforts as needed.

Compensation: 

This position will receive a competitive base salary DOE, early-stage equity, and a generous benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, unlimited PTO, and paid holidays.

Ownershift is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.