Senior Associate, Strategic Partnerships & Corporate Development

HarbourVest Partners; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

HarbourVest Partners in Boston is on the lookout for a Senior Associate to focus on Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Development. The role involves leading workstreams for partnerships, developing investment theses, and driving cross-functional teams to success.

Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical skills, a degree, and 2–6 years of relevant experience. The position offers a hybrid work environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 2–6 years of experience in investment banking or corporate development.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate with senior audiences.
• Experience in financial services or alternative investments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own workstreams in partnership opportunities from sizing to negotiation.
• Develop investment theses on prospective partners and channels.
• Drive cross-functional teams to close opportunities.
• Track performance and maintain execution pipelines.

Skills

Analytical problem-solving

Financial modeling

Effective communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Position Overview

Senior Associate, Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Development will work directly with senior partnership leaders to source, evaluate, structure, and execute high‑impact partnerships that broaden HarbourVest's distribution reach and product platform. The role includes distribution alliances with wealth platforms and intermediaries, strategic product collaborations, and other transactions that advance the firm’s growth agenda.

Work Arrangement

This position is a hybrid work arrangement. Employees receive 18 remote workdays per quarter, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office four days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving five additional remote days to be used as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Deal Execution
  • Own workstreams across partnership opportunities, from initial sizing and commercial diligence through negotiation, structuring, and onboarding.
  • Build financial models, returns analyses, and economic sensitivities to evaluate proposed partnership structures.
  • Prepare executive memos and decision‑grade materials for senior leadership and the firm’s investment and partnership committees.
  • Partner with Legal on term sheet and definitive agreement negotiation.
• Strategic Analysis
  • Develop investment theses on prospective partners, distribution channels, and product opportunities.
  • Benchmark competitor activity, industry trends, and emerging partnership models across the alternatives landscape.
  • Convert market insights into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership
  • Drive cross‑functional working groups across Product, Marketing, Sales, Legal, Client Operations, and Investor Relations to move opportunities to close.
  • Manage partner relationships post‑close, tracking performance against agreed economics and deliverables.
• Performance & Reporting
  • Develop benchmark frameworks, dashboards, and analyses to measure partnership impact and economic contribution.
  • Maintain a disciplined pipeline and execution tracker in internal systems (Salesforce).

The Ideal Candidate

• Strong analytical problem solver who can move comfortably between modeling, memo‑writing, and partner engagement.
• Self‑starter who operates independently while partnering closely with senior leaders.
• Highly organized with strong follow‑through in a fast‑paced, deal‑driven environment.
• Genuinely interested in private markets, alternative investments, and platform growth.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2–6 years of experience in investment banking, corporate development, transaction advisory, management consulting, or strategic partnerships/business development at a financial services company.
• Strong financial modeling, structuring, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including presenting to senior audiences.
• Experience working cross‑functionally on complex transactions or initiatives.
• Prior experience in financial services, alternative investments, or professional services preferred.

Salary & Benefits

Base Salary Range: $120,000.00 - $130,000.00
"This USD base salary range represents only one component of total compensation for this role and is provided in accordance with local requirements. The role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, long‑term reward programs, and a comprehensive total rewards package that may include retirement, health, insurance, paid time off, and wellness programs. Eligibility for certain components will vary by position and geography."

EEO Statement

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.