Research & Buyer Intelligence Analyst (Corporate Finance & Business Advisory)

SUMMARY:
This role combines research, financial and commercial analysis, buyer intelligence and targeted business development to support corporate finance transactions and opportunity generation.

POSITION INFO:
 Research & Buyer Intelligence Analyst (Corporate Finance & Business Advisory) Combine company research, buyer intelligence and targeted business development to identify M&A opportunities across the UK and international markets. Location: Cape Town, South Africa | Remote Working Days: Monday - Friday Working Hours: 09:00 - 18:00 or 10:00 - 19:00 SAST (candidate''s choice) Salary: R35,000 - R40,000 per month + potential performance-based incentive ABOUT OUR CLIENT Our client is a UK-based business advisory and corporate finance firm working with owner-managed businesses across mergers and acquisitions, business sales, acquisitions, fundraising, exit planning and strategic advisory. The firm is developing a research-led approach to corporate finance, combining detailed company and sector analysis with proprietary buyer intelligence to identify opportunities and connect business owners with suitable strategic and financial buyers. As the business continues to grow, it is expanding its research, intelligence and origination capabilities, with a focus on understanding acquisition markets, buyer requirements and potential corporate finance opportunities. THE ROLE: RESEARCH & BUYER INTELLIGENCE ANALYST This role combines research, financial and commercial analysis, buyer intelligence and targeted business development to support corporate finance transactions and opportunity generation. You will research companies, sectors and acquisition markets, identify potential buyers and acquisition targets, develop a proprietary buyer intelligence database and conduct targeted outreach to business owners, investors and senior corporate decision-makers. Working closely with the Research, Marketing and Corporate Finance Partners, and reporting to the Managing Partners, you will turn detailed research into commercially relevant conversations, introductory meetings and potential corporate finance opportunities. The position focuses on quality research, intelligent targeting and relationship-building rather than high-volume telesales or cold calling. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Research & Analysis Conduct detailed research into UK companies, sectors and markets to support corporate finance mandates and business development. Research company shareholders, directors, ownership structures and financial performance. Review company accounts and identify relevant financial and commercial information. Conduct sector and competitor research. Identify market trends, industry consolidation and mergers and acquisitions activity. Research acquisition targets for corporate and private buyers. Identify potential strategic buyers for businesses being marketed for sale. Produce concise research summaries for the Managing Partners and Corporate Finance team. Use Companies House, online databases, company websites, LinkedIn and other research tools. Research businesses and assess their financial position. Use AI tools to identify opportunities and develop proprietary research. Buyer Intelligence Identify acquisitive companies across the UK and international markets. Research private equity firms, investment groups, private acquirers and companies with relevant acquisition histories. Identify potential buyers and sellers within financial, commercial and technology sectors, excluding eCommerce-type buyers. Research and document buyers'' acquisition criteria. Capture preferred industries, geographical markets, turnover, revenue, EBITDA, transaction sizes and strategic acquisition rationale. Record previous acquisitions and identify patterns in buyer behaviour. Update buyer intelligence following conversations with investors and corporate buyers. Match businesses and sectors with relevant potential acquirers. Build targeted buyer lists and establish acquisition interest. Maintain accurate buyer information within HubSpot. Develop and continuously improve the proprietary buyer intelligence database. Establish an understanding of what potential buyers want to acquire and the commercial reasons behind their acquisition strategies. Origination & Outreach Identify business owners whose companies may align with known buyer acquisition requirements. Build targeted prospect lists based on sector, geography and company size. Conduct researched and personalised outreach through email and LinkedIn. Contact companies to establish acquisition appetite and potential succession or exit plans. Follow up on marketing campaigns and expressions of interest. Support corporate buyer outreach on live transactions. Approach business owners, CEOs, CFOs, investors and corporate development professionals. Build relationships with relevant decision-makers to identify commercial opportunities. Arrange introductory meetings for the Managing Partners and Corporate Finance team. Record outreach activity, conversations and follow-ups accurately within HubSpot. Convert research and buyer intelligence into relevant conversations, meetings and corporate finance opportunities. ABOUT YOU Essential Requirements Strong technical research and analytical skills. Interest in business, investment, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Commercial awareness and the ability to identify business opportunities through research. Confidence interpreting company financial information and understanding a business''s financial position. Excellent written and spoken English, with a clear, neutral accent. Strong attention to detail. Proficiency in LinkedIn and online research tools. Good Excel and Microsoft Office skills. Experience using CRM systems. Comfortable using HubSpot, ChatGPT and Claude. Confidence communicating with and approaching senior decision-makers, including business owners, CEOs, CFOs and investors. Ability to combine analytical research with relationship-building, business development and opportunity generation. Ability to work independently within a remote team. Proactive, inquisitive and naturally curious approach. Outgoing personality and a sales mentality. Ability to understand buyer acquisition criteria, including industry, turnover, EBITDA and geography. Advantageous Experience Previous experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous: Corporate finance or M&A. Investment research. Business intelligence. Lead generation. Private equity research. Executive search. Professional services. B2B business development. PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS Success in this role will be measured across three areas: Research: Producing accurate, commercially useful company and sector intelligence. Buyer Intelligence: Continuously improving the firm''s understanding of active buyers, their acquisition criteria and acquisition behaviour. Origination: Converting intelligent research into conversations, meetings and corporate finance opportunities. Over time, the successful candidate is expected to develop a strong understanding of business valuations, acquisition motivations and how corporate finance transactions are originated and executed. CAREER DEVELOPMENT This position offers practical experience across corporate finance research, mergers and acquisitions, business development and investment analysis. As the business grows, there will be opportunities to take greater responsibility for buyer intelligence, sector research, origination campaigns and corporate finance analysis. The role is suited to someone interested in developing a deeper understanding of how businesses, buyers and corporate finance transactions operate.