Private Equity Associate or Senior Associate

Soul Equity Solutions • Los Angeles, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate / Senior Associate will join a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on special situations, including recapitalizations, corporate carve-outs, and control-oriented acquisitions of financially or operationally complex businesses. The firm takes a deep-value approach, with particular depth in industrials and business services, and is building its investment team as it enters its next stage of growth.

The role works directly with the firm's senior team throughout the investment lifecycle, from screening and diligence through structuring and value creation. The Associate / Senior Associate will own financial modeling, diligence workstreams, and investment committee materials, and partner hands-on with portfolio company management teams. As one of the first investment-team hires, the person will have meaningful responsibility from day one and help shape the firm's investment processes, culture, and infrastructure. Senior Associates will have greater ownership of day-to-day deal processes and help develop future Associates.

The position is on-site in the greater Los Angeles area. The firm is open to candidates relocating with a genuine long-term commitment. All-in compensation is $200,000–$250,000, flexible depending on experience.

Requirements

• Associate: 2–3 years of investment banking experience, ideally in restructuring, M&A, or leveraged finance.
• Senior Associate: 2–3 years of investment banking experience plus 2–3 years of buy-side experience in private equity, special situations, or distressed investing, including taking a transaction from LOI through close.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills, including hands-on LBO and recapitalization modeling.
• Interest in or exposure to complex transactions such as turnarounds, carve-outs, recapitalizations, or distressed acquisitions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear investment committee materials and interact credibly with management teams, lenders, and advisors.
• Ownership mentality and comfort working in a lean, entrepreneurial environment without large-firm infrastructure.
• Commitment to being local in the greater Los Angeles area; the role is on-site, and relocation is possible with a genuine long-term commitment.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Sector exposure to industrials, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, or business services.
• Investment banking experience in restructuring, M&A, or leveraged finance is preferred for the Associate level.

Responsibilities

• Screen and evaluate new opportunities, prepare preliminary analyses, and help the senior team determine which situations to pursue.
• Build and maintain financial models, including LBO, recapitalization, and downside or restructuring scenarios, and support the structuring of equity, debt, and hybrid capital solutions.
• Lead financial, operational, industry, and customer diligence workstreams; conduct management meetings and site visits; and coordinate third-party advisors.
• Draft investment committee memoranda and present analysis and recommendations to the senior team.
• Track portfolio company performance and KPIs, prepare board materials, and support management teams with operational improvements, add-ons, refinancings, and exits.
• Help build the firm's investment processes and infrastructure, conduct market research, and support fundraising materials as needed.
• For Senior Associates, run day-to-day deal processes and help train future Associates.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level