SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – INSIDE SALES

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role is for high performers ready to take on greater ownership while continuing to deliver exceptional research and outreach. You will own a portfolio of firms, lead outreach strategy and execution, collaborate across Research and work closely with senior stakeholders. This is a high-impact role with meaningful exposure to leadership and the opportunity to influence business outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Research & Ideation

• Own a portfolio of target firms, conducting strategic research to identify and execute the most effective pathways for engagement

• Lead high-quality, time-sensitive research to evaluate prospective firms in line with expansion strategy 

• Pilot and refine smarter research techniques, bringing creativity and experimentation to projects

Project Management

• Take full ownership of key business development initiatives, propose new programs and refine existing ones in collaboration with senior team members

• Identify delays and blockers early; recommend and implement course corrections proactively

• Build and maintain project plans for long-horizon workstreams (e.g., sales trips, campaign rollouts)

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations at all levels

• Identify and implement opportunities for automation to reduce turnaround time and process improvement

Lead Generation, Pipeline & Outreach Management

• Develop and execute lead-generation strategies to identify prospective clients across private equity firms, portfolio companies, and the broader investment ecosystem. 

• Design, manage, and execute year-round outreach strategies across a large, segmented pipeline of firms, including:

  • Developing tailored engagement strategies for each target, leveraging executive relationships and warm introductions where appropriate

  • Monitoring, tracking, and recording market activity, including private equity news, transactions, and fund developments

  • Drafting and managing all outbound communications, including initial outreach, follow-ups, and re-engagement campaigns across multiple sender identities

• Maintain and manage the Salesforce pipeline database, ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and visibility across all sales opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in research, expert networks, founder’s office or a related field

• Excellent written communication. Ability to draft outreach scripts and stakeholder updates with minimal revisions

• Proven ability to lead and moderate calls, create agendas, capture action items, and communicate outcomes clearly

• Strong project management skills. Ability to plan multi-month initiatives, create structured project maps, and manage timelines

• High level of attention to detail

• Exceptional time management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with a strong work ethic and a high degree of ownership and accountability 

• Working proficiency in Salesforce (reports, activity logging, pipeline management)

• Advanced proficiency in LinkedIn for professional research and prospecting

• Basic working knowledge of AI tools (chatGPT / Claude prompts, etc.)  for research and drafting workflows

• Mastery of advanced Google search techniques

• Comfortable with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for data storage, presentation, and visualization

• Strong understanding of private equity/M&A terminology

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast paced environment. You know how to step back, see the bigger picture, and keep everyone aligned. You value good systems, genuinely enjoy building relationships, and can talk to anyone across the company with ease.

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• You enjoy building: You like solving problems and scaling processes

• Are genuinely curious: You like learning about new markets, companies, and people, and you're always trying to pick up new skills

• Are adaptable: You’re dependable, flexible, and happy to pitch in wherever the team needs an extra hand.

• Direct and collaborative: You keep your communication clear and concise, even when things are moving fast.

• Take ownership: You take pride in your work, follow through on your commitments, and don’t need to be micromanaged.

• Want to grow: You’re ready to transition from managing your own tasks to coordinating projects and helping the wider team succeed.

ABOUT KINGFISH

Kingfish is a unique investment and advisory firm that works alongside various reputed private equity firms in North America. We have pioneered a new approach to private equity investing that places us at the intersection of people, ideas and capital. Deep, systematic relationships with proven operating executives are at the core of our efforts. Our firm comprises two core business segments; our private equity investment business and an advisory business that supports a limited set of high-performing PE sponsors as they identify, invest in and grow businesses.

CULTURE

Our philosophy is to find the best people and give them the freedom to learn, innovate, and outperform. In that spirit, we are structured to ensure that each individual contributes substantially to firm strategy, and there is extensive feedback on performance. Authority is decentralized, and performance is rewarded based on achievement of goals. Kingfish is a unique place that demands extraordinary tenacity, confidence, intellectual curiosity, and communication skills. We pride ourselves on assembling high-performing teams to pursue inspiring goals.