Sales Development Representative, Acquisitions

American Operator is seeking a driven, high-energy Sales Development Representative (SDR) to generate proprietary acquisition opportunities. This is a true outbound sales role at the very top of our deal funnel. You’ll be responsible for sourcing off-market businesses by building relationships with owners and generating qualified opportunities for our Investments team. If you thrive in high-volume prospecting environments, enjoy cold calling, and want to build a long-term career in private equity, investing, or M&A, this is a unique opportunity to apply your sales skills in a high-impact setting. This role is based at our Austin, TX office.

• Own top-of-funnel outbound prospecting to generate proprietary, off-market acquisition opportunities.

• Build and manage targeted prospect lists of business owners that fit our investment criteria.

• Execute high-volume, multi-channel outreach campaigns (cold calls, email, LinkedIn, SMS, and other creative channels).

• Hit and exceed daily and weekly activity targets, including calls, conversations, and meetings set.

• Lead initial qualification calls with business owners to assess interest, timing, business profile, and overall fit.

• Clearly articulate American Operator’s investment approach, partnership model, and differentiation in a compelling and concise manner.

• Gather and document key baseline information (revenue range, ownership structure, transition goals, timeline, etc.).

• Maintain rigorous CRM hygiene, ensuring all outreach, follow-ups, and pipeline stages are accurately tracked.

• Systematically follow up with long-term prospects to build trust and convert future opportunities.

• Partner closely with the Investments team to transition qualified opportunities and ensure strong internal handoffs.

• Take ownership of personal pipeline metrics and continuously optimize outreach strategies to improve conversion rates.

• 1+ years of experience in SDR, BDR, or outbound sales.

• Demonstrated success in high-volume cold calling environments.

• Track record of meeting or exceeding activity or quota-based targets.

• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to speak confidently with business owners and executives.

• Highly organized with disciplined follow-up habits and CRM usage (HubSpot or similar).

• Self-motivated, competitive, and resilient in the face of rejection.

• Ability to manage multiple prospects simultaneously across different stages of engagement.

• Experience selling to founders, operators, or C-level executives.

• Familiarity with HubSpot or similar CRM platforms.

• Exposure to small business environments (family business, internships, operational experience).

• Interest in private equity, investing, or M&A.

• Basic understanding of financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, tax returns).

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