Investment Associate - Midmarket Private Equity

Sector: Private Equity - Industrial Technology & Mittelstand

Seniority: Investment Associate (3-6 years experience)

We are supporting a specialized Swiss-based private investment firm in hiring an Investment Associate for their DACH-focused deal team. The firm targets the German "Mittelstand," specifically focusing on industrial technology, automation, and component manufacturing, executing both majority and minority investments in high-potential SME assets.

This is a high-intensity, hybrid role combining proactive proprietary sourcing with rigorous transaction execution. The Associate will join a lean, entrepreneurial team, gaining direct exposure to the full investment lifecycle—from identifying and initiating contact with target owners to financial modelling, due diligence coordination, and closing. Unlike purely execution-focused roles, this position requires a strong "hunter" mindset—focusing on building a proprietary pipeline alongside technical financial assessment.

The ideal candidate brings a blend of M&A or Strategy Consulting experience (Big 4 Transaction Services, Investment Banking, or Tier 1 Consulting) and is seeking a role that demands high autonomy, persistence in deal origination, and technical precision in valuation.

• Proprietary Deal Sourcing: Drive systematic market mapping and outreach campaigns to identify off-market opportunities within the German Mittelstand. Manage structured follow‑up cycles, conduct cold outreach (phone/email), and build long‑term relationships with business owners to generate deal flow.
• Pipeline Management: Own the CRM infrastructure and pipeline documentation. Prepare detailed long/short lists, collect contact intelligence, and maintain rigorous records of all counter party interactions to ensure a systematic approach to business development.
• Financial Modelling: Build and manage complex financial models, including DCF valuations, LBO structures, and scenario analyses. Perform multi‑entity structural modelling and assess financial feasibility for potential acquisitions.
• Due Diligence Coordination: Manage the end‑to‑end due diligence process. Coordinate with external advisors (e.g., financial, tax, legal), manage data room structuring, overseeing SPA and warranty documentation, and ensure rigorous adherence to transaction checklists.
• Market Research: Conduct deep‑dive industry research into industrial technology, automation, and manufacturing sectors. Analyze competitive landscapes and identify value‑creation levers within target sub‑sectors.

• 3-6 years of professional experience strictly within M&A, Corporate Finance, or Strategy Consulting (Big 4 Transaction Services, Investment Banking, or Top Tier Consulting).
• Native German language skills are mandatory (C2 level) to effectively engage with Mittelstand owners; fluency in English is required for internal reporting.
• Advanced technical skillset, including extensive experience in financial modelling (Excel power user), valuation (DCF/LBO), and the preparation of investment memoranda.
• Demonstrated "hunter" mentality with a high level of persistence, resilience, and comfort with cold outreach and independent pipeline generation.
• Strong organizational skills with an eye for detail, capable of managing complex documentation and multiple deal streams in parallel.
• Practical experience in due diligence processes, document management (SPA/warranties), and coordination of external service providers.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, willingness to learn, and the ability to operate effectively in a small, flat-hierarchy team environment.

To express interest, please submit your CV.