Location: Chicago, IL or West Coast U.S.

We are partnering with a growing lower middle market private equity firm seeking to add a Vice President to its investment team. The firm specializes in partnering with founder-led and family-owned businesses, providing both strategic and operational support to help companies scale while preserving the characteristics that made them successful.

Unlike larger institutional investors, the firm takes a highly collaborative approach with management teams and has built a reputation for helping businesses navigate growth initiatives, acquisitions, professionalization efforts, and succession planning. The team maintains a flexible investment mandate across several industries and is actively evaluating new platform and add-on opportunities.

• Lead transaction execution from initial evaluation through closing.
• Build detailed financial models, valuation analyses, and investment committee materials.
• Conduct industry, market, and competitive research to identify attractive investment opportunities.
• Develop relationships with investment bankers, business owners, executives, and industry advisors.
• Support sourcing efforts and proactively identify new investment opportunities.
• Partner closely with portfolio company leadership teams on strategic initiatives and growth projects.
• Monitor portfolio performance and present recommendations regarding value creation opportunities.
• Mentor and help develop Associates and Senior Associates.

• 5-8+ years of experience in private equity, investment banking, transaction advisory, or corporate development.
• Strong buyout transaction experience.
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills.
• Experience interacting directly with management teams, owners, and intermediaries.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building capabilities.

• Significant responsibility and visibility within a collaborative investment team.
• Direct exposure to founders, family-owned businesses, and management teams.
• Opportunity to influence investment decisions and portfolio strategy.
• Active deal environment focused on lower middle market platform and add-on acquisitions.
• Long-term career growth potential within an expanding investment platform.
• Meaningful economics tied to investment performance.

This opportunity is ideal for a private equity professional who enjoys working closely with founders and operators rather than simply managing transactions from a distance. Candidates should be comfortable balancing execution responsibilities with relationship development, portfolio engagement, and sourcing initiatives while helping management teams execute strategic growth plans.

Preferred Location: Chicago, IL