Principal, Direct​/Secondary Investments DACH

About our client

Our client is a leading European investment platform seeking to appoint a Principal to join its investment team in Zurich and play a key role in the continued development of its direct and co-investment strategy across DACH.

With a deep and diversified capital base - including an existing fund and a new vintage currently being raised - the platform has broad investment capabilities. Its particular edge lies in its ability to co-invest alongside other sponsors across both primary and secondary transactions, typically acquiring 40–55% stakes through co-control structures. This enables the team to partner with leading GPs on high-quality assets while maintaining meaningful influence over the investment and its future development.

The investment universe is focused on lower mid-market companies with EBITDA of €10–50

Mio and deliberately concentrated on resilient, non-cyclical and relatively Cap Ex-light sectors, including:
Healthcare, Education and Business Services.

The successful candidate will join an entrepreneurial team and will be expected to take significant ownership of the investment process, from sourcing and origination - mostly via Advisors and directly from GPs rather than competitive auction processes, through to execution and portfolio management. This is a senior investment role suited to an individual who has independently sourced and led transactions, and is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy.

• Originate and develop direct secondary, midlife and co-investment opportunities through relationships with GPs and other market participants
• Independently lead transactions from initial assessment through due diligence, structuring, negotiation and execution
• Lead discussions with incumbent GPs, management teams, advisors and other stakeholders
• Structure co-control investments and negotiate shareholder agreements alongside incumbent sponsors
• Contribute to the continued development of the firm's direct investment strategy and sourcing network. Support and mentor Associates and Analysts within the team

• Demonstrable track record of independently leading and executing transactions across DACH, especially in in lower mid-market
• Strong German market fluency and an established network within the German-speaking private equity ecosystem, alongside a genuinely international mindset and European perspective
• Maturity and confidence to operate autonomously while working collaboratively with senior colleagues and junior team members