Principal / Junior MD - Private Equity
Location: New York, NY In-office: Monday through Thursday
A New York-based private investment firm is looking to add a Principal or Junior MD to its investment team. The firm targets control investments in middle-market businesses where complexity, transition, or operational inefficiency create opportunities for value creation.
This role is ideal for an investor with a demonstrated ability to lead transactions and drive change in portfolio companies - not just through capital allocation, but through strategic and operational engagement. Candidates should be energized by hands-on work, entrepreneurial settings, and the opportunity to influence outcomes directly.
What You'll Do:
Originate and Execute Investments
- Lead the evaluation and execution of new investment opportunities, including due diligence, financial modeling, and deal structuring.
- Build relationships with business owners, intermediaries, and advisors to support ongoing deal flow.
- Manage third-party diligence providers, legal processes, and internal investment memos.
Drive Operational Change
- Partner with portfolio company executives to design and implement transformation plans focused on profitability, scalability, and operational rigor.
- Play a direct role in performance improvement efforts-restructuring teams, identifying inefficiencies, implementing systems, and tracking key operating metrics.
- Serve as a board member or strategic advisor across portfolio companies.
Create and Capture Value
- Build strategic roadmaps with management teams to support organic and inorganic growth.
- Lead planning around liquidity events, recapitalizations, or exits in alignment with firm objectives.
- Ensure accountability to investment theses and operating KPIs throughout the hold period.
Lead and Collaborate
- Mentor junior team members, oversee workstreams, and contribute to firm-wide knowledge sharing.
- Bring a point of view to investment committee discussions and help refine the firm's approach to value creation in complex environments.
Who You Are:
- 10+ years of experience in private equity, special situations investing, or operationally intensive finance roles
- Track record of working directly with management teams to drive meaningful operational outcomes
- Strong financial and analytical skills, but equally fluent in execution and leadership
- Undergraduate degree required; MBA or advanced degree a plus
Why This Role:
This is a unique opportunity to join a tight-knit team that believes operational engagement is the cornerstone of successful investing. You'll be in a seat where you can truly shape outcomes, not just analyze them, with exposure to both strategy and execution from day one.
Compensation includes base salary, performance-based bonus, carried interest participation, and comprehensive benefits.