Associate – Private Equity

Location:
North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany

Platform:
Entrepreneurial mid-market private equity investor

The Firm

Our client is a dynamic private equity investor focused on
transformational growth and technology-enabled businesses
across DACH. With a proven track record of partnering with founders and management teams, the firm invests in mid-sized companies with strong growth potential and a clear value creation roadmap. The team combines deep sector insight with hands-on operational engagement, helping businesses scale sustainably through digitalisation, professionalisation, and strategic M&A.

The Opportunity

The incoming
Associate
will play an integral role within a collaborative and entrepreneurial investment team, contributing across the full investment cycle — from origination and analysis to execution and portfolio development. This role is ideal for someone seeking
broad exposure, autonomy, and tangible impact
in a fast-moving, tech-driven private equity environment.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Origination & Market Mapping
– Proactively develop investment themes, identify high-growth subsectors, and source proprietary opportunities through research, networking, and data-driven market mapping. Build and maintain relationships with founders, advisors, and industry executives to strengthen the deal pipeline.

Deal Execution
– Lead key analytical and execution workstreams across the transaction lifecycle. Build detailed financial models and valuation analyses, coordinate external due diligence providers, and support the drafting of investment memoranda and presentations for the investment committee.

Strategic Assessment & Commercial Analysis
– Evaluate target business models, growth dynamics, and competitive positioning to identify value creation levers. Translate complex operational and financial data into actionable investment insights that underpin transaction conviction.

Portfolio Value Creation
– Partner with management teams to implement strategic initiatives including bolt-on acquisitions, organisational development, pricing and go-to-market optimisation, and digital transformation. Actively support board discussions, portfolio reviews, and value tracking against investment objectives.

Stakeholder & Transaction Management
– Serve as a key point of contact for advisors, lenders, and co-investors. Coordinate transaction processes to ensure smooth execution, manage competing priorities across multiple projects, and maintain rigorous attention to detail throughout.

Candidate Profile

• 2–5 years' experience
  in
  Private Equity, M&A, Strategy Consulting, or Corporate Finance
  , with demonstrable involvement in deal execution and strategic analysis.
• Proven ability to
  manage multiple high-stakes workstreams
  , delivering precision under pressure and ownership within a lean investment team.
• Advanced
  financial modelling, valuation, and analytical capabilities
  , coupled with commercial judgement and a strategic mindset.
• Strong grasp of
  scalable business models
  , value creation levers, and growth acceleration in technology-enabled and services-driven industries.
• A hands-on, entrepreneurial team player who thrives in dynamic environments and takes genuine interest in building businesses alongside founders and management teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the confidence to interact credibly with C-suite stakeholders and advisors.
• Fluent in German and English
  ; additional European languages advantageous.

The Culture

The team operates in a
flat, entrepreneurial structure
, valuing initiative, creativity, and accountability. It's a culture that rewards curiosity and hands-on engagement — a setting where Associates work closely with Partners from day one and see the direct results of their contribution in portfolio performance.