Entry Buy-Side Associate

Career Launch AI Talent Network
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)
Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Typically $140,000 – $185,000+ total compensation (varies by employer)

This Entry Buy-Side Associate description represents the type of early-career investment roles featured on the Career Launch AI Private Job Board.
It is not a direct job opening with a specific employer.

Members of the Career Launch AI platform gain access to entry-level buy-side opportunities across private equity, growth equity, private credit, and other investment strategies that may not appear on public job boards. Career Launch AI provides tools and structured support to help candidates reach hiring managers, prepare for interviews, and pursue high-caliber investing careers.

More information is available at career launch.ai
.

A lower middle-market buy-side investment firm (representative of firms within our network) may seek an analytically driven Entry Buy-Side Associate to support investment teams across deal evaluation, financial analysis, diligence, and portfolio monitoring
.

This role is designed for candidates at the beginning of their buy-side investing careers
, offering hands-on exposure to live deals, close interaction with senior investors, and direct involvement in the investment process within a lean, fast-paced environment.

Build and maintain operating and transaction models
, including 3-statement models, DCFs, and LBOs (as applicable)

Analyze investment returns, capital structures, leverage, and downside scenarios

Perform valuation analyses using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and intrinsic valuation methods

Support underwriting of new investment opportunities

Assist with diligence across financial, commercial, operational, and legal work streams

Analyze company financials, KPIs, customer metrics, and unit economics

Conduct industry and competitive research to support investment theses

Organize and synthesize diligence findings into clear analytical outputs

Prepare investment memos, exhibits, and presentation materials

Summarize key diligence insights, risks, and upside drivers

Support internal discussions leading to investment decisions

Assist transaction processes from initial review through execution

Help track portfolio company performance against underwriting assumptions

Support KPI dashboards, reporting, and ongoing analysis

Contribute to analysis for add-on acquisitions, refinancings, and exit planning

Assist with ad hoc analytical projects related to portfolio strategy

Early exposure to buy-side investing and decision-making

Hands-on involvement in live transactions and portfolio analysis

Interaction with management teams, founders, and senior investors

Accelerated learning in financial modeling, valuation, and investment judgment

This profile reflects the competencies commonly sought for entry-level buy-side associate roles
.

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field

Strong Excel skills and ability to build or review financial models

Foundational understanding of accounting, corporate finance, and valuation

Prior internships or exposure to investment banking, private equity, private credit, asset management, consulting, or corporate finance is beneficial

Clear interest in investing, financial analysis, and transaction-oriented work

Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail

Clear written and verbal communication skills

Ability to perform in fast-paced, high-expectation environments

Coachable, curious, and motivated to develop as an investor

Career Launch AI is a career acceleration platform for candidates pursuing competitive buy-side and private markets roles.

Automated applications to a large volume of relevant entry-level roles

Targeted searches across private equity, growth equity, private credit, venture capital, and related buy-side fields

Human-led outreach to recruiters and investment professionals

Support initiating direct, targeted conversations beyond job portals

Centralized systems to manage applications and outreach

End-to-end administrative support throughout the recruiting process

Support with investment case studies, modeling tests, and technical interviews

Behavioral interview coaching aligned with entry-level buy-side roles

Ongoing guidance provided throughout the hiring process until placement

To access roles of this kind through the Career Launch AI platform, visit:
career launch.ai