VC Associate @ Sands Capital in Arlington, VA

VC Stack; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Paid holidays and vacation

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

VC Stack is seeking an Investment Associate or Sr. Associate to join its team in Arlington, Virginia. In this role, you will focus on investment manager selection, conduct due diligence, and contribute to portfolio management.

The ideal candidate should possess a strong analytical mindset, preferably with 2-5 years of relevant investment experience, and a passion for investing. The position offers a hybrid work schedule and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of finance or investment experience.
• Experience in manager-selection and/or direct investment.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic aptitude with a positive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing and maintaining investment manager relationships.
• Conducting due diligence on prospective managers.
• Formulating and presenting investment analyses.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Communication skills

Investment diligence

Ability to travel

Education

Undergraduate degree from an accredited university

Job description

We are an active, long-term investor in leading innovative businesses globally. Our approach combines analytical rigor and creative thinking to identify high-quality growth businesses that are creating the future. Through an integrated investment platform spanning venture capital, growth equity and public equity, we provide growth capital solutions to institutions and fund sponsors in more than 40 countries (detailed on our website www.sandscapital.com).

About Sands Capital Horizons:

Sands Capital Horizons ("Horizons") is a purpose-built investment platform for multigenerational capital management. Established to meet the personal investment needs of Sands Capital senior partners, Horizons manages long-term, multi-asset portfolios for select family offices, entrepreneurs, and institutions globally. Central to our approach is an asset allocation framework that aligns client capital with three core objectives: growth, diversification, and yield. Horizons will manage dedicated, evergreen strategies for each objective using a hybrid investment framework—combining allocations to distinguished outside managers with high-conviction direct investments. As a wholly owned affiliate of Sands Capital, Horizons combines the resources and discipline of a sophisticated institutional investment platform with a flexible, opportunistic mandate typically found among leading family offices.

Position Summary:

Horizons is seeking a motivated Investment Associate or Sr. Associate to serve as a core member of its investment team. The Associate or Sr. Associate (depending on experience level) will focus on both investment manager selection and direct investment diligence. Consistent with the philosophy that has guided Sands Capital for 34 years, Horizons espouses a patient, long-term orientation and builds concentrated, conviction-weighted portfolios. The (Sr.) Associate will contribute to this approach through a combination of sourcing opportunities, executing due diligence, and monitoring portfolio holdings. This is a generalist role that will provide exposure to Horizons’ public equity, private equity, income-oriented, and uncorrelated investment strategies.

Candidates should possess natural curiosity, strong self-motivation, and an openness to new ideas. The ideal individual will bring exceptional work ethic, a genuine enthusiasm for investing, and the ability to approach challenges with both creativity and disciplined execution. Humility and sound judgement are essential. Must be able to travel frequently, sometimes on short notice.

Work Expectations:

The work location for this role is expected to be Sands Capital’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia on a hybrid schedule of three days per week in-office (including Tuesdays and Wednesdays) or more as directed by your manager, depending on the role and team needs. Please know that the hybrid schedule is subject to change, as directed by our Executive Management Team, at any time.

Position Responsibilities:

• Sourcing and maintaining investment manager relationships to identify actionable opportunities for Horizons portfolios;
• Conducting due diligence on prospective investment managers, including analysis of investment strategies, team, track records, target market(s), and organizational alignment;
• Formulating and presenting investment analyses via written reports to the investment team;
• Monitoring and evaluating existing investment relationships through regular portfolio reviews, performance analysis, and manager correspondence;
• Developing independent insights into market trends, sectors, and manager landscapes;
• Supporting co-investment and direct investment diligence with financial modeling, primary research, expert network calls, channel checks, and related efforts;
• Representing Horizons in meetings with current and prospective managers and at industry events / conferences;
• Contributing to the development of client analyses, communications, and presentations as necessary;
• Supporting the investment team’s regular macroeconomic research;
• Other professional responsibilities as needed; and
• Exhibiting behaviors consistent with Sands Capital’s Mission, Values, and culture.

Position Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university.
• 2-5 years of finance or investment experience, including manager-selection and/or direct investment experience. Management consulting experience at a top-tier firm may be considered in lieu of investment experience.
• Investment manager due diligence experience is preferred.
• A demonstrated passion for investing.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic aptitude; highly motivated with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Comfort challenging conventional thinking and approaching problems creatively.
• Strong work ethic, diligence, and an ability to execute at a high level without direct supervision. Exceptional judgement is a must.

Required Behavioral Characteristics:

• Impeccable integrity.
• Superior client service skills (to include both internal and external clients).
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• An exceptional work ethic in a fast-paced, professional environment.
• A high degree of initiative, self-discipline, and motivation.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively as part of a team, while also being able to work independently with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.
• Propensity to assume the best of others.

Sands Capital’s Values:

• Integrity & Trust: Do what is right, not what is popular. Deliver on commitments.
• Client-Centered: Always act in the best interest of our clients.
• Commitment to Excellence: Strive to learn and improve. Implement best practices.
• Focus: Identify and concentrate on “what matters”.
• Long-Term Perspective: Appreciate that time allows sound decisions to demonstrate their worth. Avoid short-term thinking.
• Independent Thinking: Have the courage to develop and articulate your own convictions. Debate others openly and honestly.
• Teamwork: Collaborate to gather facts, develop perspective, build conviction, and support timely decision-making.
• Positive can-do Attitude: Demonstrate a willingness to tackle any task.
• Graciousness: Reflect kindness and courtesy at all times.
• Balance: Enjoy your work while balancing professional activities with interests beyond the firm.
• Meritocracy: Know that talent and achievement will drive your success at Sands Capital.

How to Apply:

To be considered, candidates must submit a resume that specifically outlines your qualifications for the position. If you wish to apply for this position, please do so via Sands Capital Management’s Careers page at http://sandscapital.com/careers/.

Salary and Benefits:

Sands Capital offers competitive compensation and generous benefits. For this role, the salary range is $125,000 to $170,000 and will be determined by the candidate’s professional experience and relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities. Base salary is one component of total compensation for this position. Sands Capital may also pay a discretionary, performance-based bonus which is targeted as a percentage of base salary and varies by position and position level. The actual bonus paid, if any, is based on the achievement of quantitative and/or qualitative goals as well as the success of the firm.

Sands Capital offers a generous benefits package to include medical insurance (which includes a discount program for vision), dental insurance, life and personal accident insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent), as well as paid holidays (NYSE), vacation, sick, and parental leave.

Sands Capital is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and staff members. For our staff members, equal opportunity includes access to the benefits and privileges that the firm provides to staff members generally. We appreciate the value diversity brings to Sands Capital and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff members.