Vice President, Private Equity

Star Mountain is a rapidly growing, specialized private investment firm focused on the large and less competitive lower middle-market (“LMM”), comprised of businesses that generally have between $5 million and $50 million in annual EBITDA. The firm employs three complementary strategies: (i) private credit, (ii) private equity and (iii) secondary private credit and private equity fund investing, all focused within the U.S. LMM. Star Mountain has ~$4.5 billion in assets under management (committed capital including debt facilities as of 10/31/25) and expects strong continued growth based on its performance, distinctive investment approach, and its diversified investor base of domestic and global institutions and individuals. The firm values team players with positive, solutions-based attitudes and is heavily committed to long-term training and career development. Star Mountain is employee-owned with material long-term wealth creation opportunity for dedicated, entrepreneurial professionals.

About the role

The Vice President, Private Equity will help lead the evaluation, execution, and management of private equity investments, including control buyouts, structured equity investments, and other flexible equity-oriented capital solutions, primarily in U.S.-based lower middle market businesses.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis and execution of private equity investments, including control buyouts, structured equity investments, and other flexible equity-oriented capital solutions, in predominantly U.S.-based lower middle market businesses.
• Oversee and execute all phases of due diligence, including business, industry, competitive, customer, financial, accounting, tax, legal, regulatory, and management diligence, culminating in investment recommendations and presentations to the firm’s Investment Committee.
• Help lead transaction structuring and negotiation of letters of intent, purchase agreements, financing documents, management equity arrangements, and other transaction-related legal documentation.
• Develop trusted relationships with management teams, founders, independent sponsors, operating executives, and advisors, and provide strategic guidance throughout the investment lifecycle.
• Support ongoing management of portfolio companies, including enhancing financial and KPI reporting, tracking performance against value creation plans, supporting add-on acquisition activity, and helping drive data-driven insights and progress against strategic initiatives.
• Assist in the development of investment theses, target pipelines, and executive relationships in attractive lower middle market subsectors.
• Add value to other aspects of Star Mountain’s overall business as an aligned partner and help build a leading private investment business.
• Cultivate and broaden relationships with intermediaries, independent sponsors, executives, operating advisors, lenders, prospective co-investors, prospective limited partners, and third-party diligence providers.
• Assist with junior team recruiting, training, and development.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant experience in private equity, with meaningful experience evaluating and executing investments in U.S. lower middle market companies.
• Demonstrated experience executing transactions across multiple industries, including financial modeling, valuation, diligence management, investment committee materials, and transaction structuring.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating transaction documentation, including letters of intent, purchase agreements, debt financing documents, management equity plans, and other equity-related documentation.
• Strong quantitative aptitude and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to take on material responsibility and accountability for transaction execution, asset management, and outcomes.
• High attention to detail and proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Team player with a positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and sound judgment.
• Willingness to travel nationwide as needed for new investment due diligence, portfolio company board meetings, management meetings, and investor relations initiatives/events.
• Experience training and developing junior talent.
• Strong culture carrier with high integrity, humility, intellectual curiosity, accountability, and a collaborative mindset.

Benefits

Star Mountain Capital is committed to a healthy and engaged workforce. Our benefits are constantly evolving to support our employees’ needs today and in the future.

• Highly competitive medical, dental, and vision package.
• 50% coverage on monthly gym memberships.
• Cell phone stipend.
• Tuition support for job-related designations and learning and development opportunities.
• Other bespoke benefits.

Pay

The exact salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and performance during the selection process. Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and other economics. The firm is 100% employee-owned, providing material economic wealth creation opportunity.