Private Equity Associate - 2026

Blacklock Group; Illinois; On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A private equity firm located in Illinois is seeking an Associate to join their 2026 intake. The candidate will support senior team members in various aspects of the deal process, including investment analysis, financial modelling, and due diligence. Ideal candidates should have 1-3 years of experience in investment banking or private equity, with strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of investment banking, private equity, or finance experience.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support senior team members in deal process.
• Screen, evaluate, and analyze investment opportunities.
• Lead financial modelling and analysis.

Skills

Financial modelling

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Job description

Blacklock Financial are paired with an industrials middle-market private equity firm who are looking to add an associate to their 2026 intake.

Base pay range

$125,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr

Responsibilities

The Associate will support senior team members in all aspects of the deal process, from investment screening and evaluation to due diligence, deal execution and portfolio management.

• Screen, evaluate and analyse investment opportunities to form independent views on the attractiveness of the opportunity
• Take primary responsibility for financial modelling including valuation and sensitivity analysis
• Support elements of the due diligence process
• Assist in the preparation of internal written materials and support the presentation of investment recommendations
• Work closely with portfolio companies and monitor financial results and investment performance
• Lead research into key areas of industrials and identify investment themes and opportunities
• Represent the firm at industry events and conferences
• Maintain proprietary potential investment database
• Perform other responsibilities related to executing the investment mandate of the fund

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates will have 1-3 years of investment banking, private equity, or finance/investing experience, with a high level of technical and analytical acumen and interest in growth equity investing
• Demonstrated analytical and financial modelling skills, including deal structuring and financing understanding
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with ability to produce high-quality presentations and deliverables
• Entrepreneurial, self-starting personality with ability to integrate with a small team and work collaboratively
• Dedicated team player with a strong sense of ownership