Deal Sourcing Associate

American Operator is seeking a driven, high-energy Deal Sourcing Associate to generate proprietary acquisition opportunities. This role sits at the very start of the deal process, focused on building relationships with business owners and sourcing off-market opportunities. If you thrive in high-volume, results-driven environments, enjoy outbound prospecting, and want to build a career in private equity, investing, or M&A, this role is for you. This role is based at our Austin, TX office.

• Proactively research and reach out to target business owners via cold calls, emails, LinkedIn, SMS, and other channels to generate off-market deal flow.

• Lead early conversations with business owners, clearly explaining who we are, the types of businesses we partner with, and why owners choose to work with us.

• Conduct initial discovery meetings to gather baseline information, evaluate fit, and determine next steps for each opportunity.

• Maintain and update our CRM with all outreach activity, prospect information, and follow-ups to keep deals moving forward.

• Work closely with the Investments team to hand off qualified opportunities and continue nurturing owner relationships.

• Consistently follow up with prospects over time, building trust and rapport to maintain a healthy pipeline.

• 1+ years of experience in sales, business development, or deal sourcing (cold calling experience highly preferred).

• Comfortable and confident making high-volume outbound calls.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple prospects simultaneously.

• Experience with CRMs (Hubspot or similar) and tracking outreach activity.

• Interest in private equity, investing, or M&A, and willingness to learn financial basics.

• Undergraduate degree in business, finance, or related field.

• Exposure to small business operations (family business, internships, etc.).

• Familiarity with basic financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, tax returns) is a plus.

Compensation: This role offers substantial performance-based upside. We pay 50 bps per acquisition, which equates to ~$25,000 (per closed deal). At 6-12 deals per year, that equates to $150,000–$300,000+ in total compensation for strong performers. Bonus payouts are tied to individual performance metrics and closed transactions and are subject to plan terms and company performance.

American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting, and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well, we need a team that reflects the real world: operators, builders, investors, and problem-solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

We know that diversity of thought, discipline, and lived experience leads to better decisions and stronger businesses. We’re intentional about bringing together people who care deeply about ownership, stewardship, and keeping great companies in capable hands. Our work depends on collaboration, humility, and a shared belief in the value of Main Street.

We’re a team shaped by different industries, hometowns, and career paths, and we believe those differences are exactly what prepare us to serve small-business owners and future CEOs across the country.

Every company claims to be mission-driven, but our mission is simple, tangible, and urgent: preserve the legacy of America’s small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership.

We partner with operators who want to step into leadership, take responsibility for great companies, and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed, communities keep their employers, families keep their livelihoods, and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership.

We work hard because we know what’s at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive, and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown, the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns, stronger than before.

Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO, preserve a founder’s life’s work, and strengthen a community, all in the same job? That’s what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.