ABOUT US:

Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. stands as one of the nation’s premier independent financial solutions firms, dedicated to empowering independent financial advisors and their clients. At Cambridge, we cultivate an inclusive, dynamic environment that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and growth. Our team is driven by a shared commitment to excellence, fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued, supported, and inspired to succeed.
We provide a comprehensive range of flexible solutions across advice, growth, technology, and independence, tailored to meet the unique needs of our advisors. Guided by our core values—integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness—we lead with purpose, delivering impactful results for our clients and partners.
At Cambridge, we don’t just adapt to change; we shape it. As innovators, problem solvers, and trailblazers, we are redefining what it means to be independent. We are Cambridge.

JOB SUMMARY:

The M&A Consultant plays a key role in driving strategic initiatives and daily operations that support the growth and succession planning needs of financial professionals. This role focuses on providing proactive, high-touch service and consulting to clients navigating acquisitions, succession, and continuity planning. The Associate Director fosters deep relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and clients to promote the long-term development of financial practices through tailored planning and financing strategies. This individual also collaborates with senior leadership on departmental vision and strategic planning, contributes to the evaluation and implementation of lending and valuation programs, and monitors competitive industry trends. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, business acumen, and a deep understanding of succession and acquisition trends in the financial services industry, along with a commitment to continuous improvement in client service and operational excellence.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future growth of the company through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. If you’re a results-driven professional with a passion for corporate development and creating lasting business value, we encourage you to apply!

Essential Duties:

• Proactively seek new or expanded business relationships with SAS clients and provide resources in support of growth and development of client’s financial practices
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and SAS clients to establish and update functional continuity and succession plans
• Develop relationships with key internal and external business partners to foster strong business relationships and development of client’s financial practice through the planning and financing of financial professional’s succession and/or acquisitions
• Consult with clients on the most complex succession planning, acquisition financing or continuity plan implementation and providing advice and guidance as necessary
• Participate in the development of strategic planning of the department
• Partner with senior leadership on initiatives within the department and company surrounding the succession or acquisition consulting, valuation processes and lending for securities and investment advisory practices
• Develop a deep understanding of industry knowledge of key succession and acquisition topics affecting major competing Broker Dealers including internal and external programs being offered to financial professionals and branches as well as solutions via 3rd party providers
• Plan and direct the work of one or more functional areas
• Propose and manage strategic initiatives to upper management regarding company and departmental policies and procedures in order to improve service standards for internal and external customers
• Drive overall department effectiveness by monitoring morale and work quality
• Manage the budgetary process for appropriate areas
• Maintain accurate records and document actions for areas managed

Education & Experience:
The ideal candidate will bring an intermediate level of experience in Mergers & Acquisitions, business development, recruiting, or sales within the financial services industry, particularly on the broker-dealer and RIA sides. Experience supporting or developing marketing plans is also highly valuable.

We also recognize that candidates with transferable skills can be highly successful in this role. Professionals with backgrounds such as:

• Commercial Banker
• CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst)
• CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor)
• Investment Banking Associate

are strongly encouraged to apply.
Certificates & Licenses:
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 99 is required if not already obtained.
Compensation: $75,000-$100,000 Salary plus incentive compensation based on successful completion of acquisitions. This range is a good faith estimate of the compensation to be offered for this position based on the ideal candidate’s qualifications, the Company’s operational needs, and other considerations permitted by law. The actual pay offered to a specific candidate may vary above or below the stated range.

Benefits: Cambridge has competitive benefits and promotes a work/life balance to encourage individual success.

• Premium benefit package including medical, vision, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
• Vacation/sick time
• 401K retirement plan with company matching program
• Eleven paid holidays

You can find more details about our comprehensive benefits package here.

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Essential Duties:

• Proactively seek new or expanded business relationships with SAS clients and provide resources in support of growth and development of client’s financial practices
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and SAS clients to establish and update functional continuity and succession plans
• Develop relationships with key internal and external business partners to foster strong business relationships and development of client’s financial practice through the planning and financing of financial professional’s succession and/or acquisitions
• Consult with clients on the most complex succession planning, acquisition financing or continuity plan implementation and providing advice and guidance as necessary
• Participate in the development of strategic planning of the department
• Partner with senior leadership on initiatives within the department and company surrounding the succession or acquisition consulting, valuation processes and lending for securities and investment advisory practices
• Develop a deep understanding of industry knowledge of key succession and acquisition topics affecting major competing Broker Dealers including internal and external programs being offered to financial professionals and branches as well as solutions via 3rd party providers
• Plan and direct the work of one or more functional areas
• Propose and manage strategic initiatives to upper management regarding company and departmental policies and procedures in order to improve service standards for internal and external customers
• Drive overall department effectiveness by monitoring morale and work quality
• Manage the budgetary process for appropriate areas
• Maintain accurate records and document actions for areas manage

We also recognize that candidates with transferable skills can be highly successful in this role. Professionals with backgrounds such as:

• Commercial Banker
• CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst)
• CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor)
• Investment Banking Associat