| Location | Lakewood, CO |
Primary purpose:
The Associate plays a central role in project finance execution, capital formation, commercial structuring, and underwriting of major growth investments. This role is designed for candidates with a private equity associate-level skillset who are seeking greater ownership, autonomy, and direct exposure to real assets, while maintaining institutional rigor and sponsor visibility.
The role reports directly to a Vice President and works closely with senior management, the private equity sponsor, lenders, and external advisors.
Tallgrass was named one of the Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado''s Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life.
At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees'' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.
Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications.
Compensation: Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.
Notice to External Search Firms: Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass''s request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases.
EEO Statement: Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.
Minimum requirements:
Education:
Experience/Specific Knowledge:
2-5 years of relevant experience in:
Project finance or infrastructure investment banking
Infrastructure / energy private equity
Corporate development or strategic finance within energy infrastructure
Demonstrated involvement in closed transactions, including direct exposure to construction financing
Experience with midstream, gas-fired power generation, or CO / CCUS infrastructure strongly preferred
Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:
Competencies, Skills & Abilities:
Physical Demands:
All the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions:
Supervisory Responsibility:
Essential duties and responsibilities
Project Finance & Capital Formation
Lead analytical workstreams for the structuring and execution of construction and term financings for large-scale energy infrastructure projects, including bank debt, private placements, structured equity, and sponsor capital
Develop and evaluate optimal capital structures, debt sizing frameworks, covenant profiles, and return metrics across greenfield and brownfield investments
Serve as day-to-day finance lead on select transactions, coordinating across internal teams and external advisors (banks, legal counsel, independent engineers)
Support lender diligence processes, manage data requests, and assist in negotiation of key financing terms
Financial Modeling & Investment Underwriting
Own the development and maintenance of complex, institutional-quality project finance models, including construction draws, operating projections, debt sizing, and return analysis
Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to evaluate downside protections, capital structure resilience, and sponsor return outcomes
Review and refine financial analyses prepared by junior team members and external advisors
Translate commercial and contractual terms into clear financial impacts to inform investment decisions
Strategic Finance & Commercial Support
Provide financial leadership and support in commercial negotiations, including offtake agreements, tolling arrangements, and EPC contracts
Evaluate contractual risk allocation and economic tradeoffs in coordination with legal and commercial teams
Contribute to corporate-level strategic initiatives, portfolio optimization, and capital allocation decisions
Board, Sponsor & Investor Engagement
Prepare board-level materials, investment memoranda, and strategic analyses for senior management and the private equity sponsor
Support presentations and diligence processes for lenders, investors, and rating agencies
Provide independent analytical recommendations to senior leadership regarding investment, financing, and risk management decisions
Essential duties and responsibilities
Project Finance & Capital Formation
Lead analytical workstreams for the structuring and execution of construction and term financings for large-scale energy infrastructure projects, including bank debt, private placements, structured equity, and sponsor capital
Develop and evaluate optimal capital structures, debt sizing frameworks, covenant profiles, and return metrics across greenfield and brownfield investments
Serve as day-to-day finance lead on select transactions, coordinating across internal teams and external advisors (banks, legal counsel, independent engineers)
Support lender diligence processes, manage data requests, and assist in negotiation of key financing terms
Financial Modeling & Investment Underwriting
Own the development and maintenance of complex, institutional-quality project finance models, including construction draws, operating projections, debt sizing, and return analysis
Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to evaluate downside protections, capital structure resilience, and sponsor return outcomes
Review and refine financial analyses prepared by junior team members and external advisors
Translate commercial and contractual terms into clear financial impacts to inform investment decisions
Strategic Finance & Commercial Support
Provide financial leadership and support in commercial negotiations, including offtake agreements, tolling arrangements, and EPC contracts
Evaluate contractual risk allocation and economic tradeoffs in coordination with legal and commercial teams
Contribute to corporate-level strategic initiatives, portfolio optimization, and capital allocation decisions
Board, Sponsor & Investor Engagement
Prepare board-level materials, investment memoranda, and strategic analyses for senior management and the private equity sponsor
Support presentations and diligence processes for lenders, investors, and rating agencies
Provide independent analytical recommendations to senior leadership regarding investment, financing, and risk management decisions