AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), Acquisition Strategy, Business Administration, Business Skills, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Consulting, Corporate Planning, Cost Control, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Detail Oriented, Due Diligence, Economics, Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Establish Priorities, Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Financial Operations, Financial Strategy, Gross Margin, Hubs, Investment Management, Investment Services, Leadership, Legal, Manufacturing, Mergers and Acquisitions, Microsoft PowerPoint, Natural Gas, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), Oil and Gas, On Site Support, Operations Processes, Organizational Skills, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Power Generation, Pricing, Private Banking, Profit & Loss, Project/Program Management, Revenue Analysis, Revenue Growth, Sales Pipeline, Team Player, Time Management
Job Title: Associate, Corporate Development
FLSA Status: Exempt
Group: Regular – Full Time
Department: Corporate Development
Location: Houston
About Cooper Machinery Services:
Cooper Machinery Services provides natural gas compression equipment and services to customers globally in the Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Transportation, and Marine sectors. With a proud heritage dating back to 1833, Cooper Machinery Services is the OEM for legendary product lines including Cooper-Bessemer, Ajax, Superior, Gemini, TSI, CSI, Enterprise, and Joy. Headquartered in Houston, TX, but with commercial and services hubs around the world, Cooper Machinery Services provides world-class services to more than 22,000 units in its installed base.
Our strength is our people. Each employee plays an integral role in our success and growth. With a commitment to our vision that strong relationships drive strong results and better business, our people make Cooper Machinery Services legendary.
Job Overview
The Associate, Corporate Development will partner directly with the Vice President of Cooper Components to execute strategic acquisitions end-to-end — from sourcing and evaluation through diligence, transaction execution, and post-close integration.
This is a unique hybrid role that blends traditional corporate development responsibilities with hands-on portfolio management. This position provides direct exposure to operating businesses and P&L ownership post-close, creating a true builder’s path within a growing platform.
The ideal candidate combines strong financial modeling expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate across Finance, Operations, HR, Legal, and Executive Leadership during transaction evaluation and integration planning.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Deal Sourcing & Pipeline Development
- Develop and manage a proactive pipeline of acquisition targets aligned with Cooper Components’ strategic priorities
- Conduct outreach to founder-owned and private equity-backed businesses
- Apply screening frameworks to prioritize targets
- Maintain pipeline tracking tool
Deal Evaluation & Financial Modeling
- Build integrated financial models
- Analyze revenue quality, margin structure, working capital, and EBITDA adjustments
- Prepare investment memos and Board material
Due Diligence & Transaction Execution
- Project manage cross-functional diligence workstreams (finance, tax, legal, HR, operations, commercial)
- Coordinate external advisors
- Manage deal timelines to drive successful closings
Post-Close Integration
- Execute 100-day integration plans
- Stand up reporting structures and KPIs
- Partner with functional leaders to align processes, systems, and teams
- Track synergy realization and value capture
Portfolio Management & Value Creation
- Support full P&L oversight of newly acquired business units within Cooper Components
- Partner with local leadership to drive revenue growth, gross margin expansion, and operational efficiencies
- Support pricing, cost reduction, and working capital improvement initiatives
- Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reporting for executive leadership
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field required
- MBA or CPA preferred
- 2-4 years of experience in Corporate Development, Consulting, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Strategic Finance, or related field
- Financial modeling and PowerPoint expertise required
- Direct exposure to M&A transactions, due diligence preferred
- Experience in industrial, energy, manufacturing, or field service environments preferred
Competencies
- Advanced financial modeling and valuation expertise
- Strong operational and commercial acumen
- Ability to transition seamlessly between strategy and execution
- High attention to detail with executive-level synthesis capabilities
- Project management and stakeholder coordination skills
- Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
- Interest in industrial services, manufacturing, and natural gas compression markets
Cooper Machinery Services is an equal opportunity employer and gives all qualified applicants consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, any other characteristic protected by law.