The Sr. Direct Private Investment Associate will be responsible for sourcing, analyzing, and executing investments in private companies and non-listed securities, with a focus on pre-IPO, growth-stage, and secondary market opportunities. The role involves close interaction with private market platforms, issuers, intermediaries, and Ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth investors, providing investment advice and transaction support across the full investment lifecycle. This role will establish and lead a new business line providing curated access to growth and late-stage private company equity and secondary market opportunities, with a strong focus on disciplined due diligence, transaction structuring, governance, and regulatory compliance within a U.S.-based private banking platform.
The role requires deep expertise in secondary private markets, transaction execution, issuer and shareholder dynamics, and pre-IPO risk management, combined with strong commercial skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement the end-to-end framework for the direct investment opportunities (primary and secondary) , including sourcing and evaluating differente strategies, product structures, execution workflows, governance, and reporting.
- Define the target universe of Direct investments opportunities (e.g., late-stage growth companies, unicorns, dual-track IPO candidates) and eligible transaction types (direct secondaries, structured vehicles, SPVs, feeder structures, funds, bespoke mandates).
- Establish investment guidelines, eligibility criteria, concentration limits, liquidity assumptions, and exit frameworks.
- Develop scalable operating processes covering onboarding, execution, custody, valuation, and lifecycle management of direct investments,
- Source proprietary and platform-based Pre-IPO opportunities through relationships with:
- Secondary market platforms
- Venture capital and growth equity firms
- Investment banks and private placement agents
- Evaluate primary vs. secondary opportunities and negotiate transaction terms, pricing, and allocations.
- Navigate issuer consent requirements, shareholder agreements, transfer restrictions, and information rights.
- Company fundamentals, business model, and competitive positioning
- Financial performance, unit economics, and growth sustainability
- Cap table analysis, dilution scenarios, and preferred vs. common equity dynamics
- Legal and structural review of shareholder agreements, ROFR provisions, lock‑ups, and transfer restrictions
- IPO readiness assessment, exit scenarios, and downside risk analysis
- Oversee valuation methodologies for illiquid private assets and challenge pricing assumptions in secondary transactions.
- Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and external advisors to ensure investment robustness and defensibility.
Structuring & Execution
- Structure transactions using appropriate legal and tax‑efficient vehicles (SPVs, funds, notes, or bespoke mandates) aligned with client profiles and jurisdictional considerations.
- Manage execution workflows from term sheet through settlement, including coordination with custodians, administrators, and external counsel.
- Ensure clear documentation of risks, liquidity constraints, valuation uncertainty, and exit timing.
- Establish a robust governance framework consistent with U.S. regulatory requirements and internal private banking standards.
- Partner closely with Risk and Compliance teams to define approval processes and escalation protocols.
Client & Advisor Engagement
- Act as the Bank’s internal specialist on direct investments and private secondary investing.
- Support Private Bankers and Investment Advisors through:
- Training and education on Direct investments
- Development of client‑facing materials, investment memos, and risk disclosures
- Participation in client meetings, investment committees, and bespoke mandate discussions
- Translate complex Direct investments structures and risks into clear, client‑appropriate narratives for UHNW audiences.
Reporting & Performance Monitoring
- Monitor performance, valuation updates, corporate actions, and liquidity events across the relevant portfolio.
- Provide regular reporting to senior management, including pipeline, allocations, performance, and risk metrics.
- Track market trends, transaction pricing, and liquidity conditions in secondary private markets.
Required Experience
- Minimum 5–10 years of professional experience in:
- Direct Investments and secondary markets
- Private equity / growth equity
- Venture capital
- Capital markets or alternative investments
- Direct, hands‑on experience with secondary Direct investments , including negotiation, execution, and settlement.
- Prior experience at or in close collaboration with private market platforms, or similar private market intermediaries is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in:
- Right of First Refusal (ROFR) mechanics
- Share transfer restrictions and issuer consent processes
- Pre‑IPO lock‑ups and post‑IPO liquidity dynamics
- Strong familiarity with U.S. equity markets and private market infrastructure, including:
- Market data and analytics platforms (Bloomberg, Refinitiv, PitchBook, CapIQ, or equivalents)
- Custody, fund administration, and SPV structures
- Equity capital markets (ECM) processes and IPO pathways
- Experience launching, scaling, or institutionalizing new investment products or business lines within a regulated environment is highly desirable.
- Prior exposure to UHNW or private banking clients is a strong plus.
- Deep technical understanding of Direct investments, secondary liquidity, and private market structures.
- Strong commercial judgment with a disciplined, risk‑aware investment mindset.
- Advanced financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills for illiquid assets.
- Ability to independently build and lead a new business line from strategy through execution.
- Excellent relationship‑building skills with external counterparties and internal stakeholders.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, particularly with sophisticated UHNW clients and senior management.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and comfort operating in a regulated private banking environment.
Language Requirements
- Fluent Spanish (mandatory)
- Full professional proficiency in English
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
- MBA, CFA, or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred.