Private Equity Associate

Westport, CT

About The Company

A well-established lower middle-market private equity firm based in Connecticut, focused on control investments in founder- and family-owned businesses. The firm has a long track record of partnering with management teams to support growth and build leading businesses. The firm is entering an exciting new phase of growth under an experienced investment team and is currently raising its next fund. It invests primarily in business services and select industrial and manufacturing businesses, with a particular interest in companies operating in fragmented markets where there is meaningful opportunity for organic growth and add-on acquisitions.

Responsibilities

• Deal Origination & Sourcing
  • Support the deal team in managing diligence workstreams, stakeholder coordination, and investment committee prep.
  • Help identify and develop new investment opportunities through networking, conferences, and intermediary relationships.
  • Assist in developing sector-specific investment theses in collaboration with industry experts.
  • Help build and maintain relationships with investment bankers, advisors, and other intermediaries.
• Transaction Execution
  • Support the deal process from diligence through closing, including financial modeling, valuation, and negotiation support.
  • Perform in-depth analysis of financial statements, industry trends, and market dynamics.
  • Assist in coordinating with legal, tax, and financial advisors throughout execution.
  • Help prepare investment committee materials and support the team in presenting findings to senior leadership.
• Portfolio Company Support
  • Work with portfolio companies to support growth, operational improvement, and strategic initiatives.
  • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial performance across portfolio companies.
  • Assist in preparing materials for exit strategies, including sale, IPO, or strategic partnership processes.
• Team Collaboration
  • Support Analysts and senior team members with day-to-day deal execution tasks.
  • Collaborate with internal teams (investor relations, finance, legal) to align on strategy and processes.
• Deal Pipeline Management
  • Help maintain a robust pipeline of potential investment opportunities.
  • Support relationships with industry experts, advisors, and potential management teams.
  • Build industry knowledge to support ongoing deal flow.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience in investment banking, private equity, transaction advisory services, or strategy consulting.
• Lower middle-market (LMM) or middle-market (MM) exposure a plus.
• Experience supporting M&A, leveraged buyout, or growth equity transactions.

Skills

• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to support both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of relevant industries (e.g., business services, industrials) is a plus.

Pay

$200-215k total compensation