Junior Investment Associate – Buy-Side

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 Junior Investment Associate – Buy-Side description represents the type of early-career buy-side 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 exclusive junior investment roles across private equity, growth equity, private credit, and related buy-side strategies that may not appear on public job boards. Career Launch AI provides tools, outreach support, and structured guidance to help candidates reach hiring managers, prepare for interviews, and pursue high-caliber investment 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 strong Junior Investment Associate to support investment professionals across the full investment lifecycle
, including deal sourcing, underwriting, diligence, execution, and portfolio monitoring.

This role is designed for candidates at the earliest stage of an investment associate career
, offering hands‑on exposure to live transactions, close collaboration with senior investors, and meaningful ownership of analytical work in a lean team environment.

Build and maintain operating and transaction models
, including 3‑statement models, DCFs, and LBOs

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

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

Support underwriting for new investments and add‑on transactions

Support diligence across financial, commercial, operational, and legal work streams

Analyze company performance, KPIs, customer cohorts, and unit economics

Conduct industry, market, and competitive research to inform investment theses

Synthesize third‑party diligence outputs into clear analytical insights

Draft investment memoranda, analyses, and presentation materials

Summarize diligence findings and articulate risks, opportunities, and value drivers

Prepare materials to support internal investment discussions and approvals

Assist with transaction execution through signing and closing

Assist with portfolio company performance tracking and KPI dashboards

Support operational improvement initiatives and strategic planning efforts

Contribute analysis for bolt‑on acquisitions, refinancings, and exit planning

Monitor portfolio performance relative to original underwriting assumptions

Direct exposure to buy‑side investment decision‑making

Meaningful interaction with management teams, founders, and senior investors

Accelerated learning in M&A, leveraged finance, and investment analysis

Strong foundation for long‑term careers in private markets investing

This profile reflects the competencies commonly sought for junior buy‑side investment associate roles
.

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

Strong Excel skills with the ability to build or audit financial models

Solid understanding of accounting, corporate finance, and valuation concepts

Prior internships or experience in investment banking, private equity, private credit, consulting, transaction advisory, or corporate finance is beneficial

Demonstrated interest in investing, financial analysis, and transaction‑driven work

Strong attention to detail and ownership mentality

Clear written and verbal communication skills

Ability to perform in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments

Coachable, curious, and motivated to grow as an investor

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