Private Equity Associate

Selby Jennings; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings is seeking a Private Equity Associate to join a growing deal team in Chicago. This role focuses on evaluating opportunities, executing transactions, and supporting portfolio company growth in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment.

You will work on financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation analyses while collaborating with senior leadership and operators across industries including healthcare and services.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in investment banking, consulting, or a comparable analytical role.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication abilities and comfort interacting with senior executives.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research, market analysis, and financial modeling to support investment decisions.
• Support due-diligence workstreams and coordinate with external advisors.
• Build and refine operating models, valuation frameworks, and return analyses.
• Partner with portfolio company leadership on performance tracking and initiatives.
• Contribute to a collaborative, growth-oriented investment culture.

Skills

Financial modeling

Valuation

Due diligence

Communication

Deal execution

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

CapitalIQ

Job description

A nationally recognized Private Equity platform is seeing a private equity associate to join it's expanding deal team. The organization has an incredibly impressive track record of investing and has completed just over 80 successful transactions in close to 10 years. With a broad approach to business services & healthcare, the team is set to close on their next fund in the coming months and needs a private equity associate to come in and assist with deal flow.

Role Overview

The private equity associate will play a critical role in evaluating new investment opportunities, executing transactions, and supporting the growth of portfolio companies. This position is ideal for someone who wants to work in an entrepreneurial, hands‑on environment and gain exposure to senior leadership early in their career.

Private Equity Associate Responsibilities

• Conduct research, market analysis, and financial modeling to support the investment process for the private equity associate function.
• Support due‑diligence workstreams, coordinate with external advisors, and prepare investment committee materials.
• Build and refine operating models, valuation frameworks, and return analyses to support transaction decisions.
• Partner with portfolio company leadership teams on performance tracking, strategic initiatives, and value‑creation projects.
• Contribute to a collaborative, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves culture aligned with the firm's growth‑oriented investment philosophy.

Private Equity Associate Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in investment banking, consulting, or a comparable analytical role that prepares you for a private equity associate position.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication abilities and comfort interacting with senior executives.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, deal‑driven environment with multiple concurrent priorities.
• A humble, team‑oriented mindset and genuine interest in partnering with operators and founders.

What the Firm Offers

• Early responsibility and full exposure to every stage of the deal lifecycle-ideal for a motivated private equity associate seeking accelerated growth.
• A culture built on partnership, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Diverse industry exposure across business services, healthcare, education, information technology, and more.