Private Equity - Associate

About the Role

Our client is a Philadelphia-area lower middle market private equity firm with over $2 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on control and growth investments in founder-led businesses across business and professional services, healthcare services, education, and technology services. Associates are embedded within lean deal teams and given meaningful responsibility early in their tenure, with an approximate 80/20 split between deal execution and portfolio management exposure.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain complex financial models, including LBO analysis
• Support transaction execution, including due diligence, deal structuring, and closing processes
• Conduct industry, market, and company-level research across target sectors
• Prepare investment committee materials and presentations
• Monitor and support portfolio company performance and value creation initiatives
• Collaborate with senior team members on strategic initiatives and add-on acquisitions

Requirements

• 2-3 years of experience in investment banking or a transaction-oriented role
• Strong financial modeling skillset, including LBO experience
• Background in M&A (sell-side or buy-side) preferred
• Experience at an elite boutique or middle market platform is highly relevant
• Demonstrated track record of academic excellence (typically 3.5 GPA or above)
• Consistent career progression with limited job movement
• Evidence of leadership, commitment, and involvement outside of academics (e.g., athletics, organizations, etc.)