Private Equity Associate

Private Equity Associate (Entry-Level) – Career Launch AI Talent Network

Location:
San Francisco/ Chicago/ New York City (Hybrid)
Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Typically $140,000 – $185,000+ total compensation (varies by employer)

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A lower middle-market private equity firm (representative of the firms in our network) is seeking a highly motivated, analytically strong Entry-Level Private Equity Associate. This role is ideal for someone who wants to work directly on live deals, portfolio companies, and investment decisions early in their career.

You’ll work in a lean deal team environment where your work actually matters: modeling, due diligence, and investment committee materials – not just slide formatting.

• Build detailed operating and transaction models (3-statement models, DCF, LBOs, sensitivity analysis).
• Analyze returns, capital structures, and downside scenarios for potential acquisitions.
• Conduct valuation analyses using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and other relevant methods.
• Support the due diligence process across financial, commercial, operational, and legal work streams.
• Analyze target company financials, KPIs, customer cohorts, and unit economics.
• Conduct industry and competitive research to understand market dynamics, trends, and risks.

• Draft and refine investment memos and presentations for the Investment Committee.
• Summarize key findings from diligence and articulate the investment thesis clearly.
• Present data-backed opinions on risks, opportunities, and value-creation levers.
• Support portfolio management teams with dashboards, KPIs, and performance tracking.
• Help identify operational improvements, growth initiatives, and strategic priorities.
• Assist in bolt-on acquisition analysis, refinancing considerations, and exit scenarios.

Direct exposure to founders, CEOs, and management teams.

Real impact: the work you do influences whether millions of dollars are invested.

Rapid learning curve in M&A, operations, and strategic finance.

This is a representative profile firms in our network look for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Math, or similar field.
• Very strong Excel skills; able to build & audit complex models.
• Solid foundation in corporate finance, accounting, and valuation.

• Prior internships or full-time experience in investment banking, PE/VC, consulting, or corporate finance is a plus (but not always required if you’re exceptional).
• Demonstrated interest in investing, deals, and business analysis (clubs, projects, side hustles, or self-directed learning count).

• High ownership mentality — you don’t wait to be told what to do; you hunt for answers.
• Strong written and verbal communication — you can tell the story behind the numbers.
• Comfortable with long hours when deals are live and stakes are high.
• Curious, humble, and coachable — willing to…