Associate, Independent Investment Holding, Hamburg, Germany

PER; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PER, Hamburg-based private equity investment team, seeks an Associate to drive strategic and operational portfolio development in a lean, entrepreneurial environment. You will support add-on acquisitions, exits, and financing initiatives while closely coordinating with portfolio company management and external advisors.

The role emphasizes financial modelling, valuation, and a strong commercial judgement to identify value creation opportunities across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in mid-market investment banking, PE, or family office
• Strong financial modelling and valuation skills
• Experience with M&A and financing processes
• Interest in strategic/operational development of portfolio companies
• Ability to work independently in a lean team
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Support portfolio companies on value creation initiatives (business development, market/competitor analysis, KPI monitoring)
• Evaluate and execute add-on acquisitions with financial modelling, valuation and due diligence
• Assist in raising financing for portfolio companies
• Support preparation and execution of exits for existing portfolio companies
• Analyze portfolio performance and identify operational improvements
• Collaborate with management teams and external advisors
• Contribute to assessment and execution of new platform investments

Skills

Financial modelling

Valuation

M&A

Portfolio management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

German fluency

English fluency

Job description

Associate, Independent Investment Holding, Hamburg, Germany
An established family office investing in medium-sized companies with growth potential is looking for an Associate to join its investment team in Hamburg, Germany. The role will focus on portfolio development, add-on M&A and the preparation and execution of future exits.

Private Equity

Germany

2 - 5 years

About our client

Our client is an established German family office investing in well-positioned medium-sized companies with further growth potential across the DACH region. Its investment track record spans privately held businesses across a range of sectors, as well as selected listed companies.

The family office is looking for an Associate to join its investment team in Hamburg. The current focus of the role is on the strategic and operational development of existing portfolio companies, add-on acquisitions and the preparation and execution of potential exits. New platform investments are expected to become more relevant over the medium term.

This is an opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility within a hands-on and entrepreneurial investment environment. You will work closely with the investment team, portfolio company management teams, advisory board teams and external advisors, while contributing both strong financial analysis and sound commercial judgement.

What the job involves

• Supporting portfolio companies on strategic and operational value creation initiatives, including business development, market and competitor analysis, KPI monitoring and the implementation of the growth and value creation plan
• Evaluating and executing add-on acquisitions, including financial modelling, valuation, due diligence and coordination with management teams and external advisors
• Supporting the process of raising financing for portfolio companies – either in the context of add-on acquisitions and/or general financing purpose
• Supporting the preparation and execution of exits for existing portfolio companies
• Analysing portfolio performance and identifying commercial and operational improvement opportunities
• Working closely with portfolio company management teams and taking an active role in discussions around strategic priorities, and business development
• Contributing to the assessment and execution of new platform investments as these become relevant over the medium term

Who we are looking for

• At least two years, and ideally three or more years, of relevant professional experience in mid-market investment banking, private equity, a family office, portfolio management, corporate finance advisory or a comparable transaction-oriented environment
• Strong financial modelling, valuation and analytical skills
• Experience with M&A and financing processes, ideally in a mid-market setting
• Commercial judgement and an interest in the strategic and operational development of portfolio companies
• Ability to work independently, manage different workstreams and assume responsibility within a lean team
• A proactive, driven and pragmatic personality, with the interpersonal skills to work effectively with medium-sized business owners, management teams and external advisors
• A hands-on team player who is comfortable in a flat organisational structure and motivated by early responsibility
• Continuous learner with quick grasp of new information and situations
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships and professional networks
• Prior experience in working with portfolio companies in PE-like settings on delivering value creation plans is a plus
• Native-level German and fluent English language skills