Private Equity Associate

Sharp Recruitment; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp Recruitment represents a leading provider of junior capital to middle-market companies across the United States. The Associate will work closely with senior investment professionals throughout the investment lifecycle, including sourcing, underwriting, executing, and monitoring investments in middle-market companies.

This role offers significant exposure to transaction execution, portfolio management, and direct interaction with private equity sponsors and company management teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
• One to three years of relevant experience in: Investment Banking, Private Equity, Corporate Finance, M&A Advisory, similar transaction-focused environments
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills.
• Ability to evaluate investment opportunities through rigorous financial and strategic analysis.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate complex analyses and investment recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with senior executives, private equity sponsors, and business owners.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and screen potential investment opportunities across multiple industries and geographies.
• Conduct industry, market, and company-specific due diligence on prospective investments.
• Develop and maintain detailed financial models and perform comprehensive financial analysis.
• Analyze historical and projected operating and financial performance, key assumptions, and risk factors.
• Prepare investment memoranda, screening materials, and presentations for internal investment committees.
• Support senior investment professionals during transaction structuring, negotiation, and legal documentation review.
• Monitor portfolio company performance, compliance, valuations, and reporting requirements.
• Participate in portfolio company analyses, including acquisition opportunities, recapitalizations, public offering evaluations, and other strategic initiatives.
• Assist with investment sourcing efforts and relationship development with private equity sponsors and other deal referral sources.

Skills

Financial modeling

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership potential

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are representing a leading provider of junior capital to middle-market companies across the United States.

About the Firm

Since 1979, the firm has invested junior capital in more than 285 middle-market platform companies alongside over 70 private equity sponsors across a diverse range of industries. The firm is currently investing from a $800 million commitment and manages mezzanine and minority equity investments in approximately 50 portfolio companies.

Position Overview

The Associate will work closely with senior investment professionals throughout the investment lifecycle, including sourcing, underwriting, executing, and monitoring investments in middle-market companies.

This role offers significant exposure to transaction execution, portfolio management, and direct interaction with private equity sponsors and company management teams. As the Associate demonstrates success and expands capabilities, opportunities for increased responsibility and leadership will follow.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate and screen potential investment opportunities across multiple industries and geographies.
• Conduct industry, market, and company-specific due diligence on prospective investments.
• Develop and maintain detailed financial models and perform comprehensive financial analysis.
• Analyze historical and projected operating and financial performance, key assumptions, and risk factors.
• Prepare investment memoranda, screening materials, and presentations for internal investment committees.
• Support senior investment professionals during transaction structuring, negotiation, and legal documentation review.
• Monitor portfolio company performance, compliance, valuations, and reporting requirements.
• Participate in portfolio company analyses, including acquisition opportunities, recapitalizations, public offering evaluations, and other strategic initiatives.
• Assist with investment sourcing efforts and relationship development with private equity sponsors and other deal referral sources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
• One to three years of relevant experience in: Investment Banking, Private Equity, Corporate Finance, M&A Advisory, similar transaction-focused environments
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills.
• Ability to evaluate investment opportunities through rigorous financial and strategic analysis.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate complex analyses and investment recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with senior executives, private equity sponsors, and business owners.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join an established private equity platform with a long track record of investing in middle-market companies. The role offers meaningful transaction responsibility, direct exposure to investment decision-making, and significant opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative and high-performing team.