Head of M&A

The Head of M&A is a critical executive role responsible for architecting and scaling Harbor’s inorganic growth engine. Reporting directly to the CEO, this leader will own end‑to‑end M&A performance—from origination through integration—while serving as a trusted partner to Harbor’s Board and financial sponsors. Success in this role requires strategic vision, disciplined execution, and the credibility to lead complex transactions in a high‑growth, PE‑backed professional services environment. 

As Head of M&A at Harbor, you will be the executive leader responsible for the overarching strategy and execution of Harbor’s M&A function. You will have primary responsibility for deal origination, execution, and integration. You will own and scale Harbor’s inorganic growth engine as a core driver of enterprise value creation, translating Harbor’s strategic roadmap into a repeatable M&A motion spanning tuck-ins, strategic adjacencies, and transformational opportunities. 

You will lead a small team currently comprised of two Senior Managers, one focused on pipeline development and deal execution and one focused on integration efforts. 

You’ll partner closely with your executive peers and the leadership teams in Delivery, Go-to-Market, Finance, Legal, and Enterprise Operations to ensure seamless M&A execution and integration, consistent with Harbor’s enterprise-wide strategic roadmap.  

This role is both strategic and operational — defining Harbor’s market approach while ensuring rigorous execution, healthy pipeline, and high-performance culture across all M&A motions – and highly visible in-market working directly with key intermediaries and target management teams. Time allocation will flex across origination, execution, and integration, with a primary focus on sustaining a high-quality pipeline and ensuring successful deal outcomes. You will have frequent interactions with Harbor’s Board of Directors and will work closely with Harbor’s financial sponsors, BayPine and Renovus.

This is a remote position that can work from anywhere in the United States, with preference given to those candidates who can work from our Chicago, Illinois office headquarters.

What you’ll do: 

Define and Drive M&A Strategy 

Architect and continuously evolve Harbor’s M&A strategy, encompassing deal origination, execution, and integration 

Align Harbor’s M&A strategy with the company’s 2030 strategic roadmap  

Partner with practice group leaders to build out Harbor capabilities consistent with long-run strategic objectives 

Report directly to the CEO, work collaboratively with Harbor’s financial sponsors, and present to Harbor’s Board of Directors 

Shape Inorganic Growth Thesis 

Define priority targets across: 

Legal tech implementation & managed services (core) 

Corporate legal + ALSP expansion 

Data / AI / analytics capabilities 

Adjacent professional services verticals 

Evaluate build vs. buy vs. partner 

Own target archetypes and “deal thesis library” 

Own Inorganic Growth Outcomes (Execution + Integration) 

Set and deliver performance targets across pipeline generation, LOIs signed, EBITDA acquired, entry valuation, and post-close performance 

Acquire ~$8M+ EBITDA annually through M&A 

Drive mix of deals across tuck-ins (~$2M EBITDA), mid-sized opportunities (~$5M EBITDA), and more transformational opportunities 

Serve as the executive owner of post‑close integration, setting integration strategy, governance, and success metrics while partnering with functional and practice leaders to ensure operational, cultural, and financial objectives are achieved 

Build a repeatable integration playbook (aligned with prior success integrating multiple acquisitions) 

Ensure post-close revenue and EBITDA meet or exceed underwriting case within 12–24 months 

Lead the M&A Organization 

Build and scale a best-in-class corporate development function 

Define org structure across: 

Origination 

Deal execution 

Integration 

Partner with financial sponsors on resourcing strategy and capability build-out 

Manage a high-performing team with responsibility for the full deal lifecycle 

Foster collaboration across the broader Harbor organization 

Develop a Relationship Ecosystem 

Position Harbor as “buyer of choice” in the legal services ecosystem 

Build and own relationships with key intermediaries, business brokers, and investment bankers 

Build proprietary deal flow across: 

Founder-owned firms 

Sponsor-backed platforms 

Strategic divestitures 

Win the “hearts and minds” of the management teams of potential targets 

Attend and present at industry conferences, serving as an ambassador of Harbor 

Represent M&A in the C-Suite 

Act as the voice of the market and target management teams in executive forums 

Contribute to corporate strategy, investor alignment, and service line and/or geographic expansion 

You’re a great fit if you have: 

10–15+ years of leadership experience in M&A, corporate development, private equity, or adjacent transaction‑heavy roles 

Proven experience in buy-and-build / roll-up environments; track record of closing multiple deals annually 

Demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑stakeholder transactions from origination through integration 

Strong financial acumen, including valuation, deal structuring, and investment committee communication 

Credibility with Boards, financial sponsors, and executive leadership teams 

Experience in professional services, IT services, verticalized technology‑enabled services, or similarly complex delivery environments strongly preferred 

Experience working with private equity or operating in private equity-backed portfolio companies 

Demonstrated ability to build a strong network and develop relationships with executives, individual teams, and external stakeholders.  Understands individual behavioral traits and different personality types 

Strong negotiation, presentation and writing skills 

Willingness to travel regularly across the U.S. and UK, including for diligence, management meetings, industry events, and Board engagement 

Driven, resilient, agile, creative, and bold when required 

What you can expect from us 

Strategic Leadership Role – Shape the future of Harbor’s growth strategy and M&A engine 

Compelling Compensation – Alignment with value creation outcomes combined with strong equity participation 

Collaborative Executive Team – Work alongside experienced leaders across Strategy, Operations, Delivery, and Finance 

Flexible Work Environment – Remote-first, with offices in Chicago and London 

Comprehensive Benefits – Competitive compensation, equity, unlimited PTO, and professional growth support 

Inclusive Community – Join a culture built on integrity, innovation, and shared success 

About Us:

Harbor is the preeminent provider of expert services across strategy, legal technology, operations, and intelligence. Our globally integrated team of 800+ strategists, technologists, and specialists navigate alongside our clients – leading law firms, corporations, and their law departments – to provide essential resources and invaluable insights. Anchored in a rich heritage of deep knowledge, steadfast relationships, and mutual respect, our unwavering dedication lies in shaping the future of the legal industry and fostering enduring partnerships within our community and ecosystem.

Harbor is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, national origin, ancestry, age, parental status, disabled status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification, in accordance with applicable law.