Market Research Specialist | UK hours at VirtuHire
Job details
Use AI to assess how you fit
About this role
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.
Originally posted on Himalayas