Senior Associate @ Energize Capital in Chicago, IL

VC Stack; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and HSA

401k matching

Generous paid time off

Market-leading parental leave policy

Health club reimbursement

Continuing education stipend

Job summary

VC Stack is looking for a Senior Associate to join our Endurance practice in Chicago, focusing on investment opportunities in climate solutions. The role requires a driven professional with 6+ years of experience, strong analytical skills, and a passion for sustainability.

Responsibilities include sourcing investments, conducting due diligence, and collaborating across teams. We offer competitive benefits including health, 401k matching, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in investment banking or private investing.
• Strong commercial judgment and ideally experience in direct investments.
• Passion for emerging megatrends in sustainability.
• Experience across software, services or industrial technologies.

Responsibilities

• Source and evaluate potential investment opportunities aligned with the Endurance strategy.
• Conduct in-depth market research and due diligence on prospective investments.
• Develop and review financial models and assess investment risks.
• Support the execution of investment transactions.
• Build and manage a network of executives and investors.

Skills

Investment sourcing

Market research

Financial modeling

Valuation analysis

P&L management

Exceptional written and communication skills

Education

MBA or Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field

Job description

Energize Capital

Job Description: Senior Associate, Endurance

Energize Capital is a leading investor in climate solutions. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Energize seeks to scale sustainable innovation by partnering with the builders and operators shaping the future. To date, Energize has funded 36 companies and deployed more than $920 million through its Venture and Endurance strategies. Established in partnership with Invenergy, the firm is backed by strategic, institutional, and impact LPs including Första AP-Fonden (AP1), GE Vernova, Capricorn, CDPQ, Builders Vision, UBS, WEC, Reference Capital, Keeling Capital, Keysight Technologies, WEX Venture Capital, and more.

Position Overview

Energize Capital is expanding our Endurance team to capitalize on the developing, scaled investment opportunities that are now emerging in the climate solutions. We are seeking a driven, hardworking, and experienced professional to join our Endurance practice as a Senior Associate. This role requires flexibility, a diverse skill set, and the ability to perform at a high level on multiple fronts. The Senior Associate will report to a Partner of Endurance at Energize Capital.

Energize Endurance is our later-stage strategy focused on backing high quality, capital light climate solutions across North America and Europe. Through Endurance, we invest between $30-150M into self-sufficient, profitable (or near-profitable) businesses to support sustainable growth at the intersection of climate and the energy transition. The Endurance team seeks active engagement with portfolio executives, driving organic and inorganic growth initiatives, operational enhancements, improved governance, and deliberate participation with Energize’s EDGE portfolio services platform. We invest beyond capital to unlock profitable scale through financial support, subject matter expertise, industry best practices, and awareness and alignment toward potential M&A targets.

The Senior Associate will source and diligence investment opportunities, while also monitoring portfolio investments and contributing original investment ideas. This individual will be an internal leader who can effectively develop a differential perspective on industries and companies while bringing other investment professionals along in their development.

At Energize, all strategies are heavily interconnected with vast levels of information sharing, market intelligence, and a major emphasis on team collaboration. The right candidate will recognize the power of the Energize platform and look for ways to receive and provide alpha and asymmetric advantages across the firm.

Responsibilities

• Source and evaluate potential investment opportunities aligned with the Endurance strategy
• Create and own investment theses within Energize Capital’s focus areas
• Conduct in-depth market research, industry analysis, and due diligence on prospective investments
• Develop and review financial models, perform valuation analyses, and assess investment risks
• Support the execution of investment transactions, including deal structuring and documentation
• Monitor portfolio company performance and create perspective value creation initiatives
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to leverage the Energize platform and share market intelligence
• Catalyze additional capital from like-minded co-investors, and engagement with stakeholder Limited Partners
• Build and manage a network of executives, investors, and operators through research and networking events
• Manage an active travel schedule (35%)

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field
• 6+ years of experience in roles including, but not limited to: investment banking or private investing
• Passion for emerging megatrends in sustainability and the digitization of critical industries
• Expertise in operating and valuation models
• Strong commercial judgement and ideally experience in direct investments
• Exceptional written and communication skills; good organizational skills with the ability to multi-task (i.e. simultaneously execute and assist on multiple transactions in addition to portfolio work)
• Experience owning a P&L and managing capital allocation
• Positive, high-energy attitude with drive, initiative, and intellectual curiosity
• Strong reputation and high integrity. Well-connected across the venture capital and private equity landscape

Prior Experience

• Minimum of 6+ years of experience in investing and finance
• Experience sourcing investment opportunities
• Experience across software, services or industrial technologies
• Recent experience working with similar companies to the target profile
• Exposure to private equity transactions and M&A
• Career experience and network in finance, technology, and/or energy

Location

When not travelling, this role requires in-person attendance at our Chicago Headquarters Monday to Thursday, Fridays are optional WFH. Only candidates who reside in, or who are willing to relocate to Chicago are eligible for this role.

Benefits

Energize Capital is proud to offer employees a wide range of benefits to support personal well-being, growth, and professional development. Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and HSA from day one of employment
• 401k matching
• Generous paid time off in addition to 10 company holidays and a flexible winter holiday schedule
• Market-leading parental leave policy and family planning benefits
• Health club reimbursement
• Continuing education stipend
• Option to work remote Fridays