Private Equity, Investment Associate

A Brief Overview

The Associate, Private Equity is a member of the private equity team with responsibilities relating to administration of investment opportunities through the investment process. The associate, private equity works on deal teams with other investment professionals, including detailed evaluation of investment opportunities and serves on deal teams for due diligence. In addition, the associate prepares documentation, reports and analysis to aid the investment managers and deal teams in managing the process from deal screening through investment recommendation and reporting to limited partners. Works with supervision and is responsible for making an established range of decisions, escalating to manager when necessary and updating manager on a regular basis.

What you will do

• Participates as an active member of the team; owns and manages portions of the screening and due diligence process for prospective investments, working as directed by investment managers.
• Interacts and communicates with private equity firms, placement agents, investment bankers, entrepreneurs, CEOs, consultants, clients and prospective clients.
• Provides detailed review and extensive analysis on potential investments, including track records, markets, financials and business plans.
• Reviews and enters reporting information on underlying investments.
• Participates in discussions in meetings and reference calls on backgrounds and track records.
• Drafts client communications, letters and presentations.
• Builds basic Excel models to evaluate investment results.
• Drafts investment recommendations and presents to the Investment Committee, as directed and when appropriate.
• Conducts, analyzes and summarizes online research on markets, people, firms and investments.
• Provides mentorship to other associates.
• (If focus is on direct investments) Develops and updates detailed financial models for prospective and existing portfolio company investments.
• (If focus is on direct investments) Provides extensive analysis on potential direct investments, including market analyses, valuation analyses, exit analyses, technology assessments, financial statements and business plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree From a reputable university (Required)
• Master's Degree MBA (Preferred)
• Typically requires 2 to 4 years of relevant experience that may include private equity, investment/commercial banking, consulting, investment management and/or corporate strategy/M&A. (Required)
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple projects/assignments simultaneously, and completing assigned tasks independently, accurately and on a timely basis. (Required)
• Proven project management experience in planning, executing and maintaining a project from start to finish. (Required)
• Proven experience in working with complex programs that require identifying complex data and analyzing the quality of the output provided. (Required)
• Proven outstanding work and/or academic track record with a demonstrated history of achievement.
• Demonstrated quantitative abilities and [advanced] (if to be working on direct investments) experience and skills with Excel models.
• Proven excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to convey information, verbally and in writing, to internal and external customers in a clear, accurate, focused and concise manner.
• Demonstrated ability to document procedures and activities in a manner that is understandable to others and prepared using a prescribed format. Verbal and written communications are to conform to proper rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style.
• Proven ability to effectively interact and communicate with a wide variety of people at various levels.
• Must demonstrate strong attention to detail with excellent organizational skills and process orientation. Expected to cite examples of organization and time management methods used to manage or prioritize workload demands.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information.
• Proven strong analytical skills, including demonstrated experience identifying, defining and resolving complex problems. Includes experience collecting, quantifying or interpreting data to establish facts and draw valid conclusions and provide creative resolutions. Must be able to cite examples of good decision making skills when dealing with multiple alternatives.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and use new methodologies.
• Proficient in word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Advanced skills with Excel models.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.