Business Development Manager (M&A Origination)

Vela APX acquires and grows mission-critical software companies globally. We are part of Constellation Software, one of the world’s most successful software acquirers. Our model is simple and disciplined: buy and hold forever. For founders, this means stability, continuity, and a genuine long-term home for the businesses they’ve built.

Our Business Development team sits at the front line of our acquisition strategy. This is not lead generation. We earn trust, build long-term relationships with founders and deal influencers, and create opportunities that turn into real transactions, often months or years after the first conversation.

The Role

We’re hiring a Business Development Manager (BDM) to help lead our expansion as part of Vela APX’s global origination engine. This is a self-directed, pipeline driven role within a world class acquisition group. You’ll continuously build and develop your book, create momentum, and help shape how we show up across ANZ, supported by experienced BD professionals across the Vela network and our global sister companies.

Let’s be clear: This is not transactional sales. This is patient, persistent, high-output origination. You’ll be the first meaningful touchpoint for founders thinking about succession, recapitalisation, or an eventual exit. Your role is to open doors, create curiosity, build credibility, and keep relationships warm until timing becomes real. If you love the chase, and you’re disciplined enough to nurture a long-tail funnel you’ll thrive here.

What You’ll Do

• Hunt: Source and qualify owner-led vertical market software businesses across Australia & New Zealand (with exposure to global opportunities over time).
• Build relationships that compound: Earn trust with founders, CEOs, investors, bankers, and advisors and stay relevant over years, not weeks.
• Run multi-channel outreach: LinkedIn, email, phone, conferences, industry events, and in-person meetings.
• Create momentum: Spark curiosity and move conversations forward without being pushy or salesy.
• Own your pipeline: Log and manage opportunities in Salesforce, track next steps, revive dormant leads, and keep the engine running.
• Partner with deal teams: Work closely with M&A leaders to progress opportunities into live deals when timing and fit align.

What Success Looks Like

• A healthy, growing pipeline built on real relationships.
• Consistent Meaningful Dialogues (MDs) and relevant sourcing activity week after week.
• Superior Salesforce Hygiene and habits.
• Qualified opportunities aligned with our mandate: Mission-critical vertical market software, Sticky, long-tenured customers, Owner-operated businesses.
• A visible, compounding impact on Vela APX’s growth across ANZ.

Who This Role Is For

You’re a strong fit if you’re a BDM who:

• Is a true hunter you thrive on targets, cadence, activity, and winning.
• Can operate in a greenfield market without needing a pipeline handed to you.
• Understands long-tail origination: most deals aren’t “now,” they’re “not yet.”
• Is excellent at nurture thoughtful follow-up, trust-building, and staying relevant over time.
• Knows how to create curiosity and guide conversations forward through smart questions and credibility.
• Is comfortable engaging with founders and C‑suite leaders.
• Has 3–5+ years of progressive experience in one or more of:
• Outbound SaaS or enterprise sales
• Growth or GTM roles (especially early‑stage or sponsor‑backed)
• Strategic Chief‑of‑Staff‑type roles in scaling companies
• Corporate development with a strong sourcing focus

Bonus Points

• Existing relationships in the ANZ software founder, investor, or advisor ecosystem.
• Experience working across international markets.
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.

Application Process (Required)

To apply, we’d like to see how you think about prioritisation. Provide three pipeline options you would pursue. For example: a startup‑stage opportunity, an ideal strategic fit, and a major “whale” target. Or present three pipeline segmentation models, such as: a focused pipeline built around core verticals/geos, a balanced mix, and a wide, unfocused exploratory pipeline. Attach your case study alongside your resume.

Why Join Vela APX

Build a career in global software M&A origination with one of the world’s most active acquirers (via Constellation Software). Work alongside experienced dealmakers in an environment that rewards ownership, consistency, and craft. Get the best of both worlds: entrepreneurial pipeline building with a long‑term platform behind you.

Ready to hunt, nurture, and win the long game?