Private Equity Associate (Middle Market)

Compensation: $155K-$195K base salary + discretionary bonus

About the hiring company: Our client is a $4B middle-market private equity firm focused on B2B software, healthcare technology, and business services. They partner with founder-led and family-owned businesses, taking majority or significant minority stakes to drive growth and operational transformation. The fund typically invests $50M-$200M per transaction across 10-12 portfolio companies.

As a Private Equity Associate, you'll work across the full investment lifecycle, from deal sourcing to due diligence to portfolio value creation. Your day-to-day will include:

• →Deal sourcing and evaluation - Build relationships with intermediaries, identify targets, and assess strategic fit
• →Financial modeling and analysis - Build LBO models, run sensitivity analyses, and evaluate return scenarios
• →Due diligence execution - Lead workstreams on commercial, financial, and operational diligence alongside consultants and advisors
• →Investment memo preparation - Develop IC materials that articulate the investment thesis, risks, and value creation plan
• →Market research - Analyze industry trends, competitive landscapes, and market dynamics to inform investment decisions
• →Portfolio company support - Work with management teams post-close on strategic initiatives, KPI tracking, and operational improvements
• →Exit planning - Support portfolio companies through exit readiness and sales processes
• →Cross-functional collaboration - Partner with Operating Partners, CFOs, and external advisors to drive value

• Consulting experience - 3-5 years at MBB, Big 4 Transaction Services, or top-tier strategy/ops consulting firms
• Strong financial acumen - Comfortable building complex models and understanding how deals get structured
• Deal experience - Exposure to M&A, transaction due diligence, or corporate development is a plus
• Industry knowledge - Familiarity with B2B software, healthcare tech, or business services is valuable but not required
• Analytical rigor - You can dig into financials, spot red flags, and assess business quality quickly
• Commercial instinct - You understand what drives business value beyond the spreadsheet
• Executive presence - Comfortable presenting to investment committees and engaging with CEOs and management teams
• Work ethic - You're prepared for the intensity of deal cycles and portfolio company challenges

If you've spent your career in consulting and want to transition into private equity, this role is for you. This is a chance to move from advising on deals to actually owning investment decisions and value creation.

Step 1: Submit your application through NextStep
Step 2: Complete your NextStep profile so we can match your background with this role
Step 3: If you're a strong fit, we'll facilitate an introduction to the hiring team for next steps