Junior Investment Associate – Buy-Side

Career Launch AI; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

A buy-side investment firm is seeking a Junior Investment Associate based in New York. This role is for early-career candidates to support investment professionals across the full investment lifecycle. Key responsibilities include building financial models, analyzing investment returns, and drafting investment memoranda. Ideal candidates have a relevant bachelor's degree, strong analytical skills, and an interest in private markets investing. The opportunity is in a hybrid work setting, offering valuable exposure and learning in high-stakes transactions.

Qualifications

• Prior internships or experience in investment banking, private equity, or similar fields is beneficial.
• Interest in investing, financial analysis, and transaction-driven work.

Responsibilities

• Support investment professionals across the full investment lifecycle.
• Build and maintain operating and transaction models.
• Analyze investment returns and capital structures.
• Draft investment memoranda and presentation materials.
• Monitor portfolio performance relative to underwriting assumptions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strong Excel skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Coachable and curious mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field

Job description

Career Launch AI Talent Network

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)

Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Typically $140,000 – $185,000+ total compensation (varies by employer)

About This Role

This Junior Investment Associate – Buy-Side description represents the type of early-career buy-side investment roles featured on the Career Launch AI Private Job Board.
It is not a direct job opening with a specific employer.

Members of the Career Launch AI platform gain access to exclusive junior investment roles across private equity, growth equity, private credit, and related buy-side strategies that may not appear on public job boards. Career Launch AI provides tools, outreach support, and structured guidance to help candidates reach hiring managers, prepare for interviews, and pursue high-caliber investment careers.

More information is available at careerlaunch.ai.

About the Opportunity

A lower middle-market buy-side investment firm (representative of firms within our network) may seek an analytically strong Junior Investment Associate to support investment professionals across the full investment lifecycle, including deal sourcing, underwriting, diligence, execution, and portfolio monitoring.

This role is designed for candidates at the earliest stage of an investment associate career, offering hands‑on exposure to live transactions, close collaboration with senior investors, and meaningful ownership of analytical work in a lean team environment.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Investment Analysis & Financial Modeling

Build and maintain operating and transaction models, including 3‑statement models, DCFs, and LBOs

Analyze investment returns, capital structures, leverage profiles, and downside scenarios

Perform valuation analyses using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and intrinsic methods

Support underwriting for new investments and add‑on transactions

Support diligence across financial, commercial, operational, and legal workstreams

Analyze company performance, KPIs, customer cohorts, and unit economics

Conduct industry, market, and competitive research to inform investment theses

Synthesize third‑party diligence outputs into clear analytical insights

Investment Committee & Deal Support

Draft investment memoranda, analyses, and presentation materials

Summarize diligence findings and articulate risks, opportunities, and value drivers

Prepare materials to support internal investment discussions and approvals

Assist with transaction execution through signing and closing

Assist with portfolio company performance tracking and KPI dashboards

Support operational improvement initiatives and strategic planning efforts

Contribute analysis for bolt‑on acquisitions, refinancings, and exit planning

Monitor portfolio performance relative to original underwriting assumptions

What Makes This Work Engaging

Direct exposure to buy‑side investment decision‑making

Meaningful interaction with management teams, founders, and senior investors

Accelerated learning in M&A, leveraged finance, and investment analysis

Strong foundation for long‑term careers in private markets investing

Ideal Candidate Profile

This profile reflects the competencies commonly sought for junior buy‑side investment associate roles.

Education & Technical Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field

Strong Excel skills with the ability to build or audit financial models

Solid understanding of accounting, corporate finance, and valuation concepts

Experience (Formal or Informal)

Prior internships or experience in investment banking, private equity, private credit, consulting, transaction advisory, or corporate finance is beneficial

Demonstrated interest in investing, financial analysis, and transaction‑driven work

Soft Skills & Mindset

Strong attention to detail and ownership mentality

Clear written and verbal communication skills

Ability to perform in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments

Coachable, curious, and motivated to grow as an investor

How Career Launch AI Helps Candidates Access Roles Like This

Career Launch AI is a career acceleration platform supporting candidates pursuing competitive buy‑side and private markets roles.

AI‑Powered Job Search Automation

Automated applications to a high volume of relevant roles with tailored resumes

Targeted search across private equity, growth equity, private credit, venture capital, and corporate development

Human‑led outreach to recruiters and investment professionals

Support in initiating targeted, warm outreach beyond traditional job portals

Execution & Tracking Support

Centralized systems to manage applications and outreach

End‑to‑end administrative support throughout the recruiting process

Interview & Case Preparation

Assistance with investment case studies, LBO modeling tests, and technical interviews

Behavioral interview coaching aligned with junior buy‑side roles

Ongoing guidance provided throughout the hiring process until placement

Learn More or Apply

To access roles of this kind through the Career Launch AI platform, visit:
careerlaunch.ai

Career Launch AI offers access to a curated private job board, personalized outreach support, automated application tools, interview preparation, and continued assistance until placement.

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