Private Equity Associate
Private Equity Associate
Location: Cleveland
Focus: Industrials
Our client is a private equity firm focused on LMM industrial companies, combining deep operating expertise with disciplined investing. The team includes former Fortune 500 CEOs/Presidents and seasoned investors who employ a playbook to drive measurable, long‑term value across cycles. Team members have completed 100+ industrial transactions, including 40+ within the current platform.
The Associate role sits at the nexus of deal execution and value creation. You'll lead workstreams across sourcing, diligence, financing, and post‑close initiatives, partnering directly with former operators and portfolio leadership. It's a high‑ownership seat suited to someone who thrives in an operationally intensive PE model and wants real responsibility in a tight‑knit team.
What You'll Do
- Deal Evaluation & Diligence
- Lead workstreams on market sizing, customer/competitor mapping, KPIs, and operational diagnostics
- Build and own dynamic LBOs, returns cases, and sensitivity analysis
- Coordinate third‑party diligence (commercial, accounting, legal, insurance, IT/cyber, environmental)
- Support debt processes: lender materials, credit Q&A, and financing documentation
- Execution
- Manage data rooms, trackers, and diligence flow; synthesize findings into investment committee materials
- Support SPA negotiations and closing processes; ensure workstreams stay on timeline
- Portfolio Value Creation
- Partner with management to implement the Operating Playbook post‑close
- Build KPI dashboards, pricing/margin analytics, procurement and working capital initiatives
- Track value creation progress vs. thesis; help prepare board materials and operating reviews
- Sourcing & Thematic Work
- Develop sector theses across industrials.
- Build target lists, engage CEOs/founders, and manage early‑stage evaluations
- Represent the firm professionally in banker dialogues and executive networks
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Experience: 1-3 years total; typically 1+ years investment banking (industrial coverage preferred). Top‑tier consulting with heavy PE/industrial exposure also considered.
- Advanced financial modeling expertise, debt structuring familiarity, quality-of-earnings fluency, KPI design, and operational improvement analytics.
- Operating Mindset: Evidence of partnering with management to execute initiatives-not just "paper diligence."
- Executive Presence: Confident with C‑suite, lenders, bankers; crisp, structured communicator.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.Â
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.Â
Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.