Private Equity Asscociate

Selby Jennings; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings in Chicago seeks a Private Equity Associate to work with senior investors across sourcing, execution, portfolio management and value creation.

The ideal candidate has 2-4 years in IB/PE or advisory, strong financial modeling, and a drive to grow into a well‑rounded investor within a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of investment banking, private equity, or transaction advisory experience.
• Strong financial modeling and deal execution capabilities.
• Experience analyzing and evaluating businesses across a variety of sectors.
• High attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and commercial judgment.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing and evaluating potential investments.
• Supporting execution of deals and portfolio management.
• Contributing to value-creation initiatives across portfolio companies.

Skills

Financial modeling

Transaction execution

Sector analysis

Attention to detail

Job description

An established private equity firm is looking to add a high-caliber Private Equity Associate to its growing investment team in Chicago. This is an opportunity for a Private Equity Associate to step into a platform with an active deal environment, strong mentorship, and meaningful responsibility from day one.

The ideal Private Equity Associate will work directly with senior investors across sourcing, execution, portfolio management, and value creation initiatives. Unlike many larger firms where responsibilities can become siloed, this Private Equity Associate will gain broad exposure across the entire investment lifecycle and develop into a more well-rounded investor.

The team is seeking a driven Private Equity Associate who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys evaluating businesses, and wants to play an active role in helping companies scale and create value.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Highly active investment platform with consistent deal flow
• Significant responsibility and visibility from day one
• Direct interaction with partners, management teams, and business owners
• Exposure to sourcing, diligence, execution, and portfolio company growth initiatives
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with strong mentorship
• Clear path for advancement and long-term career development
• Flexibility on start date for the right Private Equity Associate

Ideal Background

• 2-4 years of investment banking, private equity, or transaction advisory experience
• Strong financial modeling and transaction execution capabilities
• Experience analyzing and evaluating businesses across a variety of sectors
• High attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and commercial judgment
• Desire to build a long-term career as a Private Equity Associate within a dynamic private equity environment

This opportunity is ideal for a Private Equity Associate seeking more than just deal execution. The successful candidate will join a team that values initiative, rewards performance, and provides the chance to work on compelling investments while building a long-term career in private equity.