Business Development & Research Specialist | UK hours

# Business Development & Research Specialist | UK hours > VirtuHire · South Africa (Remote) · — · Posted 2026-11-05 **Workplace:** remote **Department:** Sales ## Description Each analyst is paired with one of the M&A Advisers and sources off-market acquisition targets for that adviser’s buy-side clients. These are mostly UK SME buyers: private equity, family offices, trade buyers and entrepreneurs. The work covers a range of industries, for example FM/HVAC, testing and compliance, accountancy, IT/MSP, healthcare, childcare and manufacturing. **Day to day** - Building target lists from data tools against each client’s criteria. The expectations is at least 350 companies ready for outreach each week. - Outreach to business owners by phone, email campaigns and LinkedIn, then qualifying their interest and basic financials (turnover, EBITDA, ownership, reasons for selling). - Setting up introductory calls between owners and the advisers. - Keeping the CRM accurate: every company, contact, source and outreach channel recorded. - Attending a weekly mandate meeting with the advisers and reporting on monthly targets. **Targets** The role is measured on output: off-market opportunities per month (currently 22, going up in 2027) and introductory calls (around 10 a month). ## Requirements - 2+ years in outbound sales, research or business development (financial sales, recruitment, insurance and real estate all work well). - Confident talking with business owners in fluent English. This matters most. - Comfortable researching on your own initiative: reading a company’s website, filed accounts and LinkedIn and judging quickly whether it fits a client. - Organised and careful with data. CRM experience is a plus. - Resilient and self-driven. You will be working remotely, so you have to keep the pipeline moving without someone watching over you. - Interest in M&A is a bonus. Prior experience isn’t needed. **Hours** Full time, 40 hours a week, on UK business hours (roughly 9:00–17:30 UK). **What sets the best people apart** - **They’re strong researchers.** They understand each client’s criteria and find businesses that genuinely fit, not just ones that match a sector code. That means going beyond the database to company websites, filed accounts and industry directories, and spotting good businesses that others miss. - **They run outreach campaigns with discipline.** Lists are built and campaigns sent on schedule every week, follow-ups are never missed, and they track what’s working and adjust. - **They get owners talking.** Most of the businesses we approach aren’t for sale, and the best people can turn “not selling” into “happy to have a conversation”. - **They’re resourceful.** When there’s no phone number or decision maker, they find another way in through email, LinkedIn or the company’s website. - **They work closely with their adviser.** They ask questions, understand each client’s priorities and share what’s working. - **They manage themselves well.** They plan their own day and hit their numbers without anyone checking on them. - **They’re accurate.** Their CRM records are clean and complete, so the whole team can rely on them. ## Apply [Apply at VirtuHire](https://apply.workable.com/virtuhire/j/8A90257367/apply) --- Powered by [Workable](https://www.workable.com)