---
title: 'Senior M&A Paralegal at American Operator'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-m-a-paralegal-american-operator-austin-d0jtr3jsfgge'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-14'
---

# Senior M&A Paralegal at American Operator

- **Company:** American Operator
- **Location:** Austin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-09-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/americanoperator/32c65596-daa0-4603-99b4-ac147e182cdc

## Job description

American Operator is seeking a highly organized, proactive Senior M&A Paralegal to help manage the execution of acquisitions from diligence through closing and post-close. This role sits at the intersection of legal transaction support and project management and will serve as a key coordinator across our legal, investment, finance, HR, and operating teams. The ideal candidate is an experienced corporate paralegal who has supported and managed M&A transactions in a fast-paced law firm or in-house environment. You are comfortable owning the details of a transaction, anticipating what needs to happen next, and keeping multiple stakeholders aligned against an aggressive timeline. You have excellent judgment, communicate clearly, and are equally willing to handle administrative details and take ownership of complex, cross-functional projects. This role will report to the General Counsel.

## RESPONSIBILITIES

- Own transaction project management for small and middle-market acquisitions, building and maintaining deal timelines, identifying the critical path, tracking dependencies, and proactively escalating issues that could delay closing.
- Manage the due diligence process, including building and maintaining data rooms, coordinating document requests, tracking outstanding diligence items, identifying gaps, and working with internal teams and outside counsel to drive items to completion.
- Own closing checklists and execution logistics, including tracking conditions to closing, coordinating signatures, preparing signature packets, maintaining closing documents, and assembling final closing binders.
- Draft, review, and coordinate transaction documentation, including NDAs, disclosure schedules, consents, certificates, ancillary agreements, and other routine transaction documents.
- Coordinate regulatory and corporate requirements, including UCC searches and filings, state qualifications, entity documentation, and other transaction-related filings.
- Serve as the central point of coordination across legal, investments, finance, HR, operations, business teams, and outside counsel, translating legal requirements into clear owners, deadlines, and action items.
- Provide clear transaction reporting, developing concise executive-level updates as well as detailed working-team trackers that communicate status, risks, dependencies, and next steps.
- Manage post-closing workstreams, including outstanding consents, contract assignments, corporate documentation, transition items, and other post-close obligations.
- Maintain highly organized transaction records, templates, trackers, and documentation across multiple concurrent transactions.
- Identify opportunities to improve transaction processes, templates, systems, and workflows as American Operator continues to scale its acquisition activity.

## MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- 8+ years of relevant experience as a corporate or M&A paralegal, with a paralegal certificate or recognized paralegal certification required.
- Experience within the corporate/M&A practice of a leading mid-size or large law firm; relevant in-house transaction experience is also valuable.
- Able to design and implement processes end-to-end, including software implementation, change management, and securing stakeholder buy-in.
- Significant experience supporting M&A transactions from diligence through closing, with the ability to independently manage transaction processes and multiple concurrent workstreams.
- Strong understanding of transaction mechanics, diligence processes, closing requirements, corporate documentation, and basic regulatory and entity filings.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage detailed workstreams, deadlines, dependencies, and multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
- High attention to detail and strong judgment, with the ability to identify gaps, anticipate issues, and proactively drive work forward.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where responsibilities may extend beyond a traditional paralegal role.
- Experience with virtual data room platforms such as Datasite or Intralinks and project management tools such as Asana or Smartsheet; strong Excel skills required.
- Low ego and highly collaborative; willing to handle the smallest execution details while also taking ownership of complex processes and projects.

## COMPENSATION

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus and equity. Please note that compensation is determined based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, education, skills, and other qualifications specific to the role. $110K - $150K

## BENEFITS

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a company-matched 401(k), unlimited PTO, paid holidays, and paid parental leave.

## ABOUT THE TEAM

American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting, and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well, we need a team that reflects the real world: operators, builders, investors, and problem-solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

## MISSION-DRIVEN

Every company claims to be mission-driven, but our mission is simple, tangible, and urgent: preserve the legacy of America’s small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership. We partner with operators who want to step into leadership, take responsibility for great companies, and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed, communities keep their employers, families keep their livelihoods, and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership. We work hard because we know what’s at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive, and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown, the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns, stronger than before. Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO, preserve a founder’s life’s work, and strengthen a community, all in the same job? That’s what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.

## About American Operator

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: American Operator acquires small businesses from retiring owners and partners with experienced industry operators to lead as CEO, with a clear path to earn majority ownership.
- **Entity Type**: Private (backed by institutional investors; funding stage not disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: Austin, TX, USA
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: William Fry (CEO, Founder)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Small business acquisition and operation (search fund / “acquire-and-operate” model)
- Target customers: Retiring small business owners (sellers) and high-capacity industry operators (buyers/CEOs); serves B2B/B2C across multiple verticals
- Mission or purpose statement: “Reviving the American Dream” by creating a new path to small business ownership for the next generation of hardworking Americans.

## Products & Services
- **Operate-to-Own Model**: American Operator funds the acquisition of a small business, partners with a proven operator to lead as CEO, and provides hands-on support and governance. The operator receives meaningful day-one ownership and can incrementally buy back equity until they become majority owner. [americanoperator.com](https://www.americanoperator.com/)
- **America’s Small Business Stock (future offering)**: The company is working toward a public offering that would allow everyday Americans to invest in a portfolio of small businesses, democratizing ownership. [americanoperator.com/about-us](https://www.americanoperator.com/about-us)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Total funding not disclosed; recent acquisition of Greenway Painting (Jackson, MS) completed. [americanoperator.com](https://www.americanoperator.com/)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Board includes Joe Lonsdale (co-founder of Palantir, 8VC) and Baris Akis; advisor network of current and former business owners across multiple industries. [americanoperator.com/about-us](https://www.americanoperator.com/about-us)
- **Growth Signals**: Active hiring for multiple roles (VP of Investments, VP of Portfolio Performance, Business Development Associate); expanding portfolio with announced acquisition; building out advisor network for scaling across industries. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/american-operator)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Operate-to-Own Model**: Differentiates from traditional private equity by offering operators a clear path to majority ownership rather than permanent minority stake.
- **Hands-On Support**: Operators receive a dedicated industry advisor, governance structure, and access to American Operator’s back-office resources.
- **Local Focus**: Keeps businesses locally owned and operated, preserving community relationships and reputation.
- **Strong Advisor Network**: Experienced operators and former owners provide sector-specific guidance (home services, manufacturing, landscaping, painting, etc.).

## Strategic Focus
- Scale acquisition pipeline across multiple industries (home services, manufacturing, landscaping, logistics, etc.)
- Build a portfolio of enduring small businesses and work toward a public “small business stock” offering
- Expand the operator candidate pool and continue refining the operate-to-own playbook

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Tight-knit, mission-driven team focused on high-impact work; “your voice is heard, your impact is real.” [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
- **Work Policy**: In-office collaboration at the Austin, TX headquarters (on-site work expected, with snacks and team connection). [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, 401k with company match, generous parental leave, flexible time off (“Use What You Need”). [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
- **Growth Exposure**: Hands-on work with live deals, critical operations, and strategic portfolio support – ideal for candidates seeking fast learning and real ownership experience.
- **Values**: “Operator First,” “American Roots,” “High-Impact” – emphasis on building strong local businesses and supporting operators taking the bold step into ownership.

## Sources
1. [americanoperator.com](https://www.americanoperator.com/)
2. [americanoperator.com/careers](https://www.americanoperator.com/careers)
3. [americanoperator.com/about-us](https://www.americanoperator.com/about-us)
4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/american-operator)

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