Associate, Secondary

Harbourvest Partners (U.K.) Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

HarbourVest Partners in London is seeking an Associate in the EMEA Secondary Investment Group to help with investment analysis, due diligence, modeling, and monitoring of opportunities. The role blends rigorous analytical work with hands-on investment experience in a fast-moving private equity environment.

You will be trained and mentored by senior colleagues, engaging across tech, healthcare, and other sectors, and will contribute to decision-making processes in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of investment banking or private equity experience.
• Strong quantitative and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Fluent in English; able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate diverse investment opportunities across sectors.
• Engage in due diligence with advisers and private equity managers.
• Build detailed financial models and perform investment valuation.
• Contribute to investment discussions and decisions.
• Monitor portfolio performance and assist with value-added activities.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Quantitative analysis

Communication

Relationship building

Multi-tasking

Education

BS/BA, MBA or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Description Summary For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking. In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences. We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm. HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer. This position will be a hybrid work arrangement. You will receive 18 remote workdays per quarter to use at your discretion, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office 4 days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving 5 additional remote days to be used as needed. HarbourVest Partners is currently seeking candidates for an Associate position in the EMEA Secondary Investment Group in London. The principal functions include investment analysis, due diligence, investment recommendation and negotiation, and investment monitoring. This includes, but is not limited to, partnership and company modeling, qualitative and quantitative analysis of managers, capital structures, and relevant industries, and the coordination of the closing process.

What Awaits You:

• Intensive Learning: Jump into an action-packed training program. Get ready to be trained by the best in the business.
• Personalized Mentorship: Each associate is paired with top-notch senior mentors from our Secondary Investment team, ensuring guidance, insights, and a helping hand at every step.
• Real Investment Experience: Get hands-on with actual investment processes, understanding the nitty-gritty of financial analysis, modeling, and spotting golden investment opportunities.
• Diverse Industry Insights: Explore a spectrum of industries from Tech to Healthcare, gaining a 360-degree view of the private equity landscape.
• Collaborative Environment: Join forces with our team on key projects, from due diligence to investment valuation, and feel the thrill of contributing to major investment decisions.

What you will do:

• Be at the forefront of evaluating diverse investment opportunities across different sectors.
• Engage actively in the due diligence process, including insightful interactions with advisers and private equity managers.
• Craft detailed financial models, playing a key role in investment analysis.
• Voice your opinions in investment discussions, making your mark in the decision-making process.
• Monitor and assist in managing our investment portfolio, adding real value to the team.
• And other responsibilities as required

What you bring:

• Go-getter demeanor with a stellar work ethic and charismatic personality.
• Natural leadership to thrive in a fast and furious work setting.
• Strong quantitative, analytical and Excel skills with a curiosity about numbers.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Effective communication skills to articulate ideas with clarity.
• High level of maturity and ability to multi-task with little direct supervision.

Education Preferred

BS/BA, MBA or equivalent in experience

Experience

2 - 4 years of investment banking or private equity experience

HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets firm with over 43 years of experience and more than $146 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2025. Our interwoven platform provides clients access to global primary funds, secondary transactions, direct co-investments, real assets and infrastructure, and private credit. Our strengths extend across strategies, enabled by our team of more than 1,270 employees, including more than 230 investment professionals across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Across our private markets platform, our team has committed more than $64 billion to newly‑formed funds, completed over $66 billion in secondary purchases, and invested over $49 billion in direct operating companies. We partner strategically and plan our offerings innovatively to provide our clients with access, insight, and global opportunities.