Private Equity Senior Associate

Selby Jennings; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings seeks a Senior Associate to join its lower middle market private equity team. The role covers investment sourcing, due diligence, execution, portfolio management, and value creation, with exposure to firm leadership from day one.

The ideal candidate has 5–8+ years in PE or related fields, strong financial modeling and valuation skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting while collaborating with portfolio management teams to drive growth.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of experience in private equity, investment banking, corporate development, transaction advisory, or a related field.
• Prior experience as an Associate or Senior Associate within private equity is strongly preferred.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated interest in working closely with businesses and management teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to take ownership and drive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate potential investment opportunities and acquisition targets.
• Conduct industry, market, and competitive research.
• Build and maintain detailed financial models.
• Perform valuation analysis and return scenario modeling.
• Coordinate and manage third-party diligence providers.
• Support transaction structuring and negotiation efforts.
• Prepare investment committee presentations and supporting materials.
• Work directly with portfolio company leadership teams on strategic initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and value creation.
• Support growth initiatives, operational enhancements, and M&A activity.
• Monitor portfolio company performance against key operating metrics.
• Assist in board meeting preparation and ongoing portfolio reporting.
• Participate in sourcing and business development initiatives.
• Build relationships with intermediaries, executives, and industry participants.
• Contribute to broader firm-wide strategic projects and initiatives.

Skills

Financial modeling

Valuation

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Multitasking

Entrepreneurial mindset

Portfolio management

Job description

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a Senior Associate to join its investment team and play a meaningful role across all aspects of the investment lifecycle. This Senior Associate will have the opportunity to work directly with firm leadership, evaluate new investment opportunities, support transaction execution, and partner with portfolio company management teams on strategic and operational initiatives.

Unlike many larger investment platforms, this Senior Associate position offers substantial responsibility, visibility, and autonomy from day one. The firm operates with a lean team structure, allowing the Senior Associate to contribute across investment sourcing, due diligence, execution, portfolio management, and value creation efforts.

This opportunity is ideal for a Senior Associate who enjoys both the analytical side of investing and the operational side of helping businesses grow.

Position Summary

Senior Associate

Lower Middle Market Private Equity

Overview

Our client is seeking a Senior Associate to join its investment team and play a meaningful role across all aspects of the investment lifecycle. This Senior Associate will have the opportunity to work directly with firm leadership, evaluate new investment opportunities, support transaction execution, and partner with portfolio company management teams on strategic and operational initiatives.

Unlike many larger investment platforms, this Senior Associate position offers substantial responsibility, visibility, and autonomy from day one. The firm operates with a lean team structure, allowing the Senior Associate to contribute across investment sourcing, due diligence, execution, portfolio management, and value creation efforts.

This opportunity is ideal for a Senior Associate who enjoys both the analytical side of investing and the operational side of helping businesses grow.

The Senior Associate will play a critical role in identifying, evaluating, executing, and managing investments across a diversified portfolio of lower middle market businesses. The successful Senior Associate will work closely with senior investment professionals and company management teams to support both transaction execution and post-investment value creation initiatives.

The firm is seeking a Senior Associate who is intellectually curious, highly analytical, and excited by the opportunity to take on a broader set of responsibilities than is typically available at the Senior Associate level.

Primary Responsibilities

Investment Evaluation & Execution

• Evaluate potential investment opportunities and acquisition targets
• Conduct industry, market, and competitive research
• Build and maintain detailed financial models
• Perform valuation analysis and return scenario modeling
• Coordinate and manage third-party diligence providers
• Support transaction structuring and negotiation efforts
• Prepare investment committee presentations and supporting materials

Portfolio Company Engagement

• Work directly with portfolio company leadership teams on strategic initiatives
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and value creation
• Support growth initiatives, operational enhancements, and M&A activity
• Monitor portfolio company performance against key operating metrics
• Assist in board meeting preparation and ongoing portfolio reporting

Firm Development

• Participate in sourcing and business development initiatives
• Assist with investment themes and sector research
• Build relationships with intermediaries, executives, and industry participants
• Contribute to broader firm wide strategic projects and initiatives

Desired Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of experience in private equity, investment banking, corporate development, transaction advisory, or a related field
• Prior experience as an Associate or Senior Associate within private equity is strongly preferred
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and analytical capabilities
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated interest in working closely with businesses and management teams
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to take ownership and drive outcomes

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal Senior Associate will bring a combination of transaction experience, commercial judgment, and operational curiosity. This Senior Associate should be comfortable moving between financial analysis, investment evaluation, strategic planning, and portfolio company engagement.

The successful Senior Associate will thrive in a collaborative environment where initiative is rewarded and where investment professionals have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on both investment decisions and business performance.