Associate, Portfolio Services, 2027

Application Deadline: 1 October 2026 Department: Portfolio Services & Commercial Excellence Location: Chicago, IL Compensation: $100,000 / year Description Private Equity Consulting Advance your career at the intersection of private equity, strategy, and data-driven problem solving. At IGS, Associates work directly on high-stakes investment and growth strategy engagements across industries, taking on early responsibility, senior client exposure, and rapid professional development in a collaborative, high-performance environment. Start Date: Summer or Fall 2027Eligibility: Seniors graduating December 2026 through June 2027Practice Areas: Portfolio Services & Commercial ExcellenceWork Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid with light travel, 1-2 times per month) WHY IGS? High-impact client work and responsibility from day oneDirect exposure to private equity and growth strategyExposure to a wide range of industries and business modelsEntrepreneurial, high-performance, and collaborative cultureDirect mentorship and coaching from experienced consultantsOpportunity to work closely in a collaborative boutique environment APPLICATION REVIEW TIMELINE We review applications in batches rather than on a rolling basis. Applications received by August 31 will be reviewed in September, and applications received by September 30 will be reviewed in October. Candidates selected to move forward will be contacted after each review period. Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected to move forward in the interview process will be contacted. Role Overview As an Associate on our Portfolio Services & Commercial Excellence team, you'll play a critical role on case teams: designing and building key analytical workstreams, running AI-enabled and quantitative models, validating outputs, and producing the data-driven foundation that client deliverables are built on. Associates work closely with Consultants to translate analysis into client-ready content. You'll contribute to GTM, pricing, and growth strategies across industries and portfolio company situations, bridging quantitative market research with strategic recommendations that improve clients' commercial performance. Associates own discrete workstreams end to end: research design, data analysis, synthesis of findings, and communicating insights to clients. Job Responsibilities Candidates should have exceptional research and analytical experience. Candidates should be interested in: Conducting market assessments, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis to inform client strategiesDesigning and implementing sales and marketing alignment plans, channel strategies, and customer engagement modelsOwning and designing analytical workstreams and translating findings into clear, client-ready slide content in collaboration with Consultants and Engagement ManagersCollecting, procuring and organizing data inputs for AI-based models and quantitative analysisRun key analytics and AI models; validate outputs for accuracy and qualityMaintaining structured data documentation and version control for all analytical assetsBuilding charts, visualizations, and data exhibits to clearly communicate analytical findingsConducting quality validation on all analytical work before submission up the project chainBuilding foundational knowledge in CE domains through project exposure and self-directed learningPartnering directly with client C-suite teams, with opportunities to present findings and help drive meaningful business changeAssuming a high level of responsibility on client teams as well as within the firmWorking in a dynamic and hybrid environmentWorking and living in Chicago (the IGS Portfolio Services & Commercial Excellence team is a consulting “travel-lite” organization; we travel for client work as requested or necessary, typically one to two times per month) Qualifications WHAT WE LOOK FOR Interests & Mindset We seek candidates who are intellectually curious, driven, and excited about working in a collaborative environment, with interests in: Private equity, growth strategy, and commercialization topicsAssessing investment and growth opportunities for private equity firms and corporate clientsGaining an in-depth understanding of a wide variety of industriesIntellectual curiosity and a desire to build expertise in commercial strategy and analyticsDetail-oriented with high standards for data accuracy and analytical rigorConducting primary and secondary research to better understand marketsCreating complex analyses to answer clients' key questions QUALIFICATIONS: Pursuing bachelor's degree is required; a focus in economics, business, finance, or a quantitative field is a plusPrior consulting experience or portfolio operations internship experience is a plusAbility to work in a fast-paced, project-based environment with multiple concurrent deadlinesStrong academic record (GPA 3.5+ preferred)Strong proficiency in Excel; familiarity with Python, SQL, or BI tools a plusProficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, and PowerPointExceptional research and analytical experienceQuick learner, self-starter, and hands-on contributorDemonstrated ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data into actionable insightsVery strong data analytics skills and capabilities (familiarity with statistical modeling, programming, etc.)Strong ability to navigate financial statements, including the ability to build pro-forma P&LsComfort with ambiguity and tight timelinesExceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to synthesize insights into clear, actionable recommendationsWorking knowledge of AI tools is preferred What Defines a Successful Candidate Intellectual curiosity and hypothesis-driven thinking to identify the best research and data to answer clients' questionsProven ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality output in a fast-paced, collaborative settingAbility to work directly with senior management and private equity clients Benefits & Additional Information Competitive base salary and performance-based bonusComprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance401(k) retirement plan with employer contributionUnlimited time off and company holidaysProfessional development opportunities and mentorshipCollaborative, collegial work environment Compensation Pay expected for the position: $100,000 USD annuallyPay is issued on a semi-monthly basisIGS also offers an annual discretionary bonus tied to individual and company performance, along with a comprehensive benefits package and a potential starting bonus Additional Information IGS sponsors employees for H-1B visas, including H-1B transfers for candidates currently on sponsorship elsewhere. IGS has four U.S. offices located in Boston, MA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; and San Francisco, CA. This role will be based in the Chicago office, with opportunities to explore other locations as you gain experience at the firm. IGS is an EEO employer.