Private Equity Principal

Selby Jennings; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings partners with a leading Private Equity platform in Washington, DC to recruit a Private Equity Principal who will lead sourcing, evaluation, and execution of investments across energy, infrastructure and real assets.

The role emphasizes transaction execution, portfolio oversight and strategic decision-making, with mentorship to junior professionals and regular engagement with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Accounting, or related field; advanced degrees are a plus.
• 7-10+ years of experience within infrastructure investing, project finance, private equity, investment banking, structured finance, or related principal investing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading investments through the full lifecycle, including sourcing, underwriting, execution, and portfolio management.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and transaction structuring skills with experience analyzing complex capital structures.
• Experience investing in or financing renewable energy, infrastructure, or other real asset opportunities is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and strong execution standards.
• Track record of collaborating with counterparties, advisors, lenders, and legal teams to successfully negotiate and close transactions.
• Passion for energy transition, infrastructure development, and deploying capital into opportunities with measurable long-term impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation and underwriting of new investment opportunities across renewable energy, infrastructure, and other real asset sectors.
• Drive transaction execution from initial assessment through closing, coordinating diligence efforts and managing key workstreams.
• Oversee the development and review of complex financial models, transaction structures, return analyses, and scenario testing to support investment recommendations.
• Partner with developers, sponsors, advisors, lenders, and legal counsel to negotiate transaction terms and facilitate successful investment outcomes.
• Prepare and present investment recommendations, market analyses, and transaction materials to senior leadership and investment committees.
• Monitor portfolio investments and contribute to value-creation initiatives, performance analysis, and reporting processes.
• Mentor and oversee junior team members, fostering professional development and maintaining high standards of analytical rigor.

Skills

Financial modeling

Deal execution

Leadership

Portfolio management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Economics/Engineering

MBA preferred

Job description

We are currently partnered with a leading Private Equity platform out of Washington, DC that is seeking a Private Equity Principal to join it's deal team. The firm focuses broadly across the energy , infrastructure, and real assets markets and has been backed by incredibly impressive institutional investors. With just under $1B of capital deployed and several successful investments, the team is looking to add this Private Equity Principal to their highly collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.

Role Overview

The Private Equity Principal will play a leadership role in sourcing, evaluating, structuring, and executing investments across the firm's platform. The Private Equity Principal will be deeply involved in transaction execution, portfolio oversight, strategic decision-making, and relationship management while serving as a key resource for junior investment professionals. The role is well suited for an experienced investor seeking increased responsibility, direct influence on investment strategy, and significant exposure to senior stakeholders.

Private Equity Principal Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation and underwriting of new investment opportunities across renewable energy, infrastructure, and other real asset sectors.
• Drive transaction execution from initial assessment through closing, coordinating diligence efforts and managing key workstreams alongside internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the development and review of complex financial models, transaction structures, return analyses, and scenario testing to support investment recommendations.
• Partner with developers, sponsors, advisors, lenders, and legal counsel to negotiate transaction terms and facilitate successful investment outcomes.
• Prepare and present investment recommendations, market analyses, and transaction materials to senior leadership and investment committees.
• Monitor portfolio investments and contribute to value-creation initiatives, performance analysis, and reporting processes.
• Mentor and oversee junior team members, fostering professional development and maintaining high standards of analytical rigor.

Private Equity Principal Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Accounting, or a related field; advanced degrees are a plus.
• 7-10+ years of experience within infrastructure investing, project finance, private equity, investment banking, structured finance, or a related principal investing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading investments through the full lifecycle, including sourcing, underwriting, execution, and portfolio management.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and transaction structuring skills with experience analyzing complex capital structures.
• Experience investing in or financing renewable energy, infrastructure, or other real asset opportunities is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and strong execution standards.
• Track record of collaborating with counterparties, advisors, lenders, and legal teams to successfully negotiate and close transactions..
• Passion for energy transition, infrastructure development, and deploying capital into opportunities with measurable long-term impact.