Private Equity Associate

A leading lower-middle-market private equity investment firm is seeking a Private Equity Associate to join its investment team in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The firm takes a differentiated approach to private equity, combining traditional investment discipline with a strong focus on operational improvement, technology enablement, and long-term growth . The investment team partners closely with management teams to build market-leading businesses rather than relying primarily on financial engineering.

The Associate will work closely with senior investment professionals on a small, highly collaborative deal team , gaining exposure to the full investment lifecycle, including new platform investments, add-on acquisitions, investment thesis development, transaction execution, and portfolio management.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate and underwrite new lower-middle-market private equity investment opportunities
• Work closely with Principals and Partners throughout the investment process
• Build and review detailed LBO and financial models , including operating projections, returns analyses, sensitivities, and valuation
• Conduct financial, commercial, and operational due diligence on prospective investments
• Develop investment theses and prepare materials for investment committee review
• Support the execution of new platform investments from initial evaluation through closing
• Identify and evaluate add-on acquisition opportunities for existing portfolio companies
• Participate in transaction structuring, negotiations, and deal execution
• Monitor portfolio company performance and assist with ongoing portfolio management
• Work alongside management teams on strategic and operational initiatives designed to accelerate growth
• Conduct industry research and competitive analysis to identify investment opportunities and potential risks
• Contribute to the firm's broader sourcing and relationship-development efforts