Associate, Private Equity Business Development, Energy

Capstone•Washington, DC

About The Position

Capstone is seeking a motivated Private Equity Business Development Associate. The role follows a structured progression: during the first 3–6 months, the associate learns administrative and operational processes, completes training, and develops an understanding of Capstone’s value proposition and client base. During the following 6–12 months, the associate begins directly driving revenue through client interactions, prospecting, client development, and execution of business development initiatives. The role combines CRM and database administration, client marketing and meeting support, post-call follow-up, market intelligence, client relationship management, and business development research. The associate will maintain accurate Salesforce records and client information, support marketing materials and campaigns, track transactions and market activity, participate in client meetings, and identify and engage prospective private equity clients. The position also involves building knowledge of private equity transaction processes, timelines, trends, and deal activity.

Requirements

Experience with CRM systems; Salesforce is preferred.
Proficiency in PitchBook and financial databases.
Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
Understanding of private equity transaction processes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Attention to detail and high accuracy standards.
Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
Proactive and self-motivated work style.
Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Process-improvement mindset and ability to identify efficiency opportunities.
Strong follow-through and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
Experience with database management and data-hygiene best practices.
Understanding of private equity and M&A processes.
Knowledge of financial markets and investment terminology.

Nice To Haves

Experience in private equity or investment banking is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Master Salesforce, PitchBook, MergerMarket, and other relevant platforms.
Log client calls and meetings, manage CRM records, update client profiles, and ensure data accuracy and completeness.
Maintain performance tracking sheets, pipeline updates, and sales opportunities.
Handle event RSVPs and client registrations.
Process NDAs, joinders, non-reliance letters, invoices, and collections.
Assist in creating and maintaining marketing campaigns for new and high-priority focus areas.
Add new contacts and prospects to the database and manage opportunities through the sales pipeline.
Prepare for client meetings and engagements and maintain marketing presentations through regular updates.
Monitor and post relevant LinkedIn deal announcements; maintain framework presentations and deal tombstones.
Complete post-call checklists, log calls promptly, create CRM opportunities, add clients to appropriate research distributions and campaigns, and set calendar follow-ups and reminders using AI.
Maintain the Non-Reliance Letters database and keep client matrices updated with personnel changes and new hires.
Monitor client team movements between firms and systematically track PeakLoad, PitchBook, and other deal platforms.
Identify deals and hot subsectors, chase deal activity, and add prospects to relevant Salesforce campaigns.
Participate in client calls, including virtual meetings, QRs, introductory calls, and project readouts.
Schedule and coordinate client meetings and introductions and maintain relationships with Tier 1, 2, and 3 clients.
Identify and profile prospective private equity firms, conduct targeted outreach, map markets, and track deal flow.
Research and maintain information on portfolio companies, investment activity, fundraising, and M&A activity.
Build client maps covering AUM, dry powder, and deal preferences.
Stay current on industry research, attend relevant professional conference calls and events, and develop expertise in PE transaction processes, timelines, market trends, and deal activity.