VC Analyst @ Baird Capital in Chicago, IL

VC Stack; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Significant bonus and profit share opportunity

Dynamic team-oriented environment

Professional growth encouragement

Job summary

VC Stack is seeking a skilled Fund Analyst based in Chicago to support portfolio operations and financial reporting. This role involves preparing quarterly valuations, managing audits, and generating financial analyses for portfolio companies.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and have at least 3 years of experience. Skills in Excel and Power BI are essential. The position offers a competitive salary of $100-115k plus bonuses.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in finance or accounting.
• Experience in public accounting or transaction advisory.
• Strong emphasis on accuracy and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Prepare quarterly valuation analyses for venture portfolio companies.
• Manage company capitalization tables and financial data.
• Draft financial performance updates for investor reporting packages.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proactive approach

Technological adeptness (Excel, Power BI)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Job description

Baird Capital is the direct private investment arm of Robert W. Baird & Co., making venture capital, growth equity and private equity (PE) investments in strategically targeted sectors worldwide. Baird Capital partners with entrepreneurs and leverages its global executive networks to help build exceptional companies.

Baird Capital is seeking a driven and dynamic professional to work closely with our Portfolio Operations, Finance and Investment teams. This individual will play a key role in fund valuations, quarterly investor reporting, portfolio review materials, and portfolio financial planning and analysis (FP&A).

Reporting directly to the Portfolio Operations Principal, this position will also support broader portfolio operations initiatives, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to strategic projects that drive value creation across Baird Capital’s global portfolio.

As a Fund Analyst, you will:

• Collaborate directly with Portfolio Operations leaders, Global Head of Finance and Investment and Finance teams to prepare quarterly valuation analyses for all venture portfolio companies and actively participate in valuation committee meetings.
• Serve as the primary liaison for audit-related inquiries, supporting the Fund auditors throughout the annual audit process.
• Manage and update company capitalization tables and distribution waterfalls, ensuring consistency with company valuations and capturing the impact of financings, exits, and other corporate events.
• Responsible for collecting, tracking, and reporting monthly financial data for all venture portfolio companies.
• Draft quarterly portfolio company write-ups for inclusion in investor reporting packages, providing high-level financial performance updates and performance commentary.
• Stay up to date on portfolio company performance by reviewing board materials, monitoring Salesforce updates, and actively participating in investment team meetings and portfolio reviews.
• Support the preparation of portfolio review materials, investor relations presentations, and annual meeting content.
• Generate fundamental financial analyses of portfolio companies—including trends, key performance indicators (KPIs), and other metrics—and report findings to the investment teams on a quarterly or ad hoc basis.
• Identify and implement process improvements while supporting the standardization of recurring reporting workflows, valuation procedures, and data management practices across the portfolio.
• Collaborate with operations and value creation teams to develop the infrastructure to measure the post-investment impact of key operational initiatives.
• Collaborate with Portfolio Operations leaders, portfolio company executives and investment teams to develop and shape value creation strategies to achieve investment theses.
• Help drive the most critical priorities on the value creation plans, supporting on everything from project management to Baird best practice implementations.

What makes this Baird Capital opportunity great:

• Trusted investment partner known for its collaborative approach, integrity, and innovative mindset.
• Offers a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Encourages employees to take initiative and grow professionally.
• Part of Baird, a global financial services firm recognized for its strong culture and workplace excellence.
• Values-driven organization committed to making a positive impact.

What we look for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in public accounting or transaction advisory, with exposure to private equity, venture capital, or M&A-related financial due diligence.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, reliability, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and contribute as a team player.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, combined with a proactive approach and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.
• Outstanding organizational and time‑management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities, working independently, and taking initiative with clear, proactive communication.
• Technologically adept, with a strong command of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Power BI, and an ability to leverage tools to improve processes and efficiency.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $100-115k base salary range.
• Significant bonus and profit share opportunity.
• Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or firm profitability.
• Check out our Total Rewards at Baird, which is a summary of our benefits and compensation.

Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.