Sr. Associate, Alternatives Finance and Operations

About Sands Capital:

Sands Capital is an active, long-term investor in leading innovative growth businesses, globally. Our approach combines analytical rigor and creative thinking to identify high-quality growth businesses that are creating the future. Through an integrated investment platform spanning alternatives, growth equity and public equity, we provide growth capital solutions to institutions and fund sponsors in more than 30 countries (detailed on our website ).

Sands Capital is seeking a highly organized and self-motivated Sr. Associate to join our tight-knit and dynamic Alternatives Finance and Operations Team. This position will support the rapidly expanding alternatives investment strategies and be responsible for accounting, financial analysis, reporting, and day-to-day support of the funds and management company. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in a fast-paced environment and have a strong understanding of US GAAP accounting.

Comfort with technology and interest in leveraging tools, including AI-enabled solutions to drive efficiency and quality, are important differentiators for success in this role.

The work location for this role is Sands Capital’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia on a hybrid schedule of three days per week in-office (including Tuesdays and Wednesdays), or more as directed by your manager. The hybrid schedule is subject to change at any time.

• Developing a strong understanding of the private investing platform and the mechanics behind each fund offering including fee structures, calculations, and imputed results.
• Through the fund administration accounting team, maintaining books and records of all fund structures and related legal entities include the management company, foreign entities and general partner entities.
• Designing and preparing detailed financial analysis and forecasts including bespoke data requests.
• Reviewing capital calls, distributions, and financial reporting to limited partners.
• Responding to limited partner and prospective limited partner queries.
• Creating financial statements and reviewing work papers for the annual US GAAP audit work.
• Working closely with tax preparers on annual tax returns and filings.
• Understanding and ensuring adherence to the specific limited partner arrangements including Most Favored Nations clauses and side letter agreements.
• Performing other position responsibilities, as needed.
• Exhibiting behaviors consistent with Sands Capital’s Mission, Values, and culture.

• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field from an accredited university.
• At least 3-5 years of accounting or finance experience (CPA preferred).
• Strong consideration to private markets investment industry experience.
• Ability to accurately analyze and apply US GAAP, income tax basis and cash basis financial reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate and explain complex matters to varied backgrounds of expertise.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to work with complex data sets.
• High level of comfort with changing technology and data-driven tools; interest in large language models or AI-enabled tools preferred.
• Financial analysis or analytical experience including the ability to accurately analyze financial documents, create financial analysis responses, and understand the flow of funds in legal structures.
• Experience in designing and implementing process improvements and internal control best practices.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to successfully collaborate with team members.
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, constantly changing environment with the skills necessary to appropriately prioritize workload while handling multiple ongoing projects and deadlines.

• Having impeccable integrity.
• Exhibiting superior client service skills (both internally and externally).
• Exhibiting strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrating a strong work ethic in a fast-paced, professional environment.
• Operating with a high degree of initiative, self-discipline, and motivation.
• Working effectively both independently and as part of a team with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.
• Assuming the best of others.
• Being motivated by a job well-done.

• Integrity & Trust:
  Do what is right, not what is popular. Deliver on commitments.
• Client-Centered:
  Always act in the best interest of our clients.
• Commitment to Excellence:
  Strive to learn and improve. Implement best practices.
• Focus:
  Identify and concentrate on “what matters”.
• Long-Term Perspective:
  Appreciate that time allows sound decisions to demonstrate their worth. Avoid short-term thinking.
• Independent Thinking:
  Have the courage to develop and articulate your own convictions. Debate others openly and honestly.
• Teamwork:
  Collaborate to gather facts, develop perspective, build conviction, and support timely…