Senior Associate - Lateral Investment Management

Job Description

Lateral is looking for individuals to join its 2026 Senior Associate class within the investment team in Burlingame, California. Senior Associates play a central role in sourcing, diligence & transaction execution, and portfolio support in a lean, high-impact environment. Senior Associates lead work streams, manage junior team members, coordinate with the senior investment team and engage directly with founders, management teams, and advisors.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of high-quality execution at a top-tier investment banking or private equity firm, exceptional analytical and modeling skills, and thrives in a setting where agency, drive, and ownership are rewarded.

• Lead the diligence and execution process: manage timelines, coordinate external advisors, build and review detailed financial models and valuations, and drive high-quality deliverables.
• Develop and own sourcing pipelines and thematic investment opportunities: partner with senior team members to craft proprietary sub-sector theses, identify and engage founders and executives, and maintain momentum in the deal funnel.
• Prepare and present investment committee materials: synthesize complex analyses into clear, data-driven memoranda and presentations, support senior decision-making, and participate in the internal approval process.
• Structure transactions and support closing and post-close integration efforts: collaborate on deal terms, support negotiations, and work with portfolio company management teams on value-creation initiatives, organic growth projects, and add‑on M&A.
• Monitor portfolio company performance: work with management teams to track key metrics, lead strategic and operational initiatives, analyze growth levers and risk exposures, and support execution of business plans.

• 3-5+ years of relevant professional experience at top firms within investment banking or private equity, including at least one year of relevant investment experience.
• Demonstrated project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple work streams, coordinate stakeholders, and meet tight deadlines.
• Exceptional financial modeling, analytical, and critical thinking skills; comfortable handling complex data and developing actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage credibly with founders, executives, and senior investment professionals.
• Collaborative mindset with humility, integrity, and a strong work ethic.
• Undergraduate degree and/or MBA from a leading academic institution.

400 S El Camino Real, Suite 1100 | San Mateo, CA 94402 | Phone:  |

if you are interested, please submit a cover letter and resume to

Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Lateral is a growth-oriented private equity firm that invests in bootstrapped, founder-led technology and technology-enabled services businesses. The firm focuses on profitable, U.S. middle market companies with no prior institutional financing and makes $15 million to $75 million investments to accelerate their growth. By pursuing sub-sector focused proprietary deal origination, founder-aligned partnerships, and a systematic and proactive approach to value creation, Lateral helps to transform its portfolio companies into category leaders.

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