Job Title

Research Associate

About Sells Group Advisors

Sells Group Advisors is a premier business brokerage and mergers & acquisitions advisory firm headquartered in Rogers, Arkansas. We specialize in middle-market and lower middle-market acquisitions—representing either side of an often life-changing transaction; we develop exit strategies for Sellers, initiate new platform investments for sponsors, and develop aggressive buy-and-build engines across a range of industries and criteria.

Our mission is to transform the M&A experience through strategic acumen, precise execution, and relentless client advocacy. We operate at a high level of professionalism, where performance is expected, excellence is non-negotiable, and accountability drives results.

Job Description

Sells Group Advisors is seeking a curious, analytical, and highly dependable Research Associate to join our team. This role is the foundation of our entire deal process—it supports market intelligence, target sourcing, and prospecting strategies that shape the engagements and deals we pursue.

While this role includes systematic data sourcing and research work, it is among the most vital functions in the firm. 

This is a position for someone who is detail-obsessed, relentlessly thorough, and deeply curious about companies, markets, and people.

 Location

• Full-time, 100% In-Person, at Sells Group Advisors Headquarters in Northwest Arkansas

  • HQ is located in Bentonville/Rogers, AR

• This is a fully in-office role with a daily starting time of 7:00 AM CT

  • Designed to maximize focused collaboration, speed of training, and client responsiveness

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed market mapping and industry research to identify relevant acquisition targets

• Develop and maintain lead lists and pipeline data for outreach campaigns using internal systems

• Monitor private equity, competitor, and industry developments to support deal-sourcing strategies

• Prepare and deliver concise research summaries for deal teams and advisors

• Ensure the quality and accuracy of CRM and database entries with high attention to detail

• Support custom research projects in collaboration with senior staff

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or related field

• Strong interest in research, data, private markets, or M&A

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy with structured data

• Comfortable using Excel, web tools, and Salesforce

• Strong writing skills and the ability to synthesize market data

• Self-directed with a mindset for continuous improvement

 Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus structure

• Clear, performance-based track, into:

  • Advancement within the Research & Intelligence team, with increasing compensation and strategic responsibility

  • The M&A track as a future Associate or Advisor, participating directly in deal execution and client management

• Access to mentorship and training from experienced industry professionals

• Clear growth pathway into elevated responsibilities and leadership roles

Note: All offers are contingent upon successful background checks and compliance with firm policies.

Why Join Sells Group Advisors?

• Foundational Role: You’ll sit at the bedrock of our M&A strategy, with outsized impact on deal flow and targeting

• Mentorship: Learn directly from senior advisors and develop a strong understanding of the M&A process

• Culture: We are collaborative, driven, and accountable towards our goals, as one team

• Career Trajectory: Grow into either a research leadership role or a deal execution path

 How to Apply

We accept online applications on LinkedIn and Indeed, but the best way to apply is through the submission form below. Applications are permanently open for all positions and are reviewed on a rolling basis as we need additional support.

Disclaimer: Due to the nature of our work and the intense client expectations applicants are seeking to carry for our firm, the interview process is intense. Do not apply unless you are committed to matching the standards that we have begun to outline in this job description.

If you thrive under high expectations and are motivated by excellence, we invite you to challenge yourself and apply.

 Additional Details

• Seniority level: Entry

• Employment type: Full-time

• Industry: Financial Services / Research / M&A