I. Hugh Bird Overview

Hugh Bird helps business owners and buyers connect before a formal sale process begins. We originate proprietary transaction opportunities, mobilize capital, and work with qualified buyers across industries, with a focus on operating and specialty real estate businesses in the $5M to $50M enterprise value range.

Many great businesses are sold through relationships, not auctions. Often, the best opportunities begin with an early conversation with an owner long before they have decided to go to market. Hugh Bird's role is to build those relationships thoughtfully and consistently.

II. What We're Looking For

We are looking for a Business Development Lead to own the front end of Hugh Bird's origination process. You will often be the first person an owner hears from, and you will carry the relationship forward from that first call through to the beginning of diligence. In this role, you will reach out directly to owners of privately held businesses, start thoughtful conversations, and build trust over the phone.

This is a role for someone who runs a strong process and loves to close. You are effective on the phone and in the room, you grasp business concepts quickly, and you can read where an owner is in their journey and what it takes to move them to the next step.

III. What You'll Do

You will be central to how Hugh Bird builds relationships with business owners. Each week, you will work from a prioritized list of owner-operated businesses, supported by short research briefs that help you understand each company before reaching out. Your job is to start conversations, build trust, and move the right opportunities forward.

Specifically, you will:

- Build and manage a pipeline of owner relationships through outbound calling, email, and LinkedIn outreach
- Run a disciplined weekly process: prioritized call lists, structured call notes, consistent follow-up, and a CRM that stays organized, current, and actionable
- Engage owners with a relationship-first approach, listening carefully to their goals, their timing,



and their reasons for considering a transition
- Qualify owner interest, business fit, and potential transaction timing, then summarize key insights
- Track your activity and conversion numbers, and use them to sharpen scripts and improve the playbook over time

IV. What You Bring
- First and foremost, the enthusiasm and drive needed to close: you follow up, you ask for the next step, and you keep momentum through long owner timelines
- Strong verbal communication and personal presence, with the credibility to earn trust with business owners and senior decision-makers over the phone and in person
- The ability to grasp business concepts quickly: how a company makes money, what drives its value, and why an owner might consider a transition
- The discipline to follow a strong process week after week, with good follow-through and attention to detail
- Comfort reaching out to current people, starting conversations, and staying positive through rejection
- Discretion and care in handling confidential owner conversations
- A university degree in any discipline
- Sales experience in a phone-forward role such as outbound sales, business development, recruiting, or customer development
- Fluency with modern sales and research tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Apollo, ZoomInfo, Google Workspace, HubSpot, Salesforce, or similar platforms
- A willingness to work in person in Toronto or remotely
- A coachable, self-directed, and competitive mindset

Additional consideration will be given to candidates who have:
- A genuine interest in M&A;, private equity, entrepreneurship, small business, or investing
- Experience reaching business owners, founders, or senior operators directly
- A finance background
- Experience building a territory, launching an outbound motion, or helping create process in an early-stage environment

V. Compensation You choose the structure that fits you best: a commission-only track with the highest earning upside, or a base salary plus commission. Earnings are uncapped on both tracks, and pay is tied directly to the results you create. We share the full details early in the interview process.

📌 Business Development Lead (Toronto)
🏢 Hugh Bird
📍 Toronto