| Location | New York, NY |
| Salary | $140,000–$185,000 |
Career Launch AI Talent Network
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)
Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Typically $140,000 – $185,000+ total compensation (varies by employer)
This Entry Buy-Side Associate description represents the type of early-career investment roles featured on the Career Launch AI Private Job Board.
It is not a direct job opening with a specific employer.
Members of the Career Launch AI platform gain access to entry-level buy-side opportunities across private equity, growth equity, private credit, and other investment strategies that may not appear on public job boards. Career Launch AI provides tools and structured support to help candidates reach hiring managers, prepare for interviews, and pursue high-caliber investing careers.
More information is available at careerlaunch.ai.
A lower middle-market buy-side investment firm (representative of firms within our network) may seek an analytically driven Entry Buy-Side Associate to support investment teams across deal evaluation, financial analysis, diligence, and portfolio monitoring.
This role is designed for candidates at the beginning of their buy-side investing careers, offering hands-on exposure to live deals, close interaction with senior investors, and direct involvement in the investment process within a lean, fast-paced environment.
Build and maintain operating and transaction models, including 3-statement models, DCFs, and LBOs (as applicable)
Analyze investment returns, capital structures, leverage, and downside scenarios
Perform valuation analyses using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and intrinsic valuation methods
Support underwriting of new investment opportunities
Assist with diligence across financial, commercial, operational, and legal workstreams
Analyze company financials, KPIs, customer metrics, and unit economics
Conduct industry and competitive research to support investment theses
Organize and synthesize diligence findings into clear analytical outputs
Prepare investment memos, exhibits, and presentation materials
Summarize key diligence insights, risks, and upside drivers
Support internal discussions leading to investment decisions
Assist transaction processes from initial review through execution
Help track portfolio company performance against underwriting assumptions
Support KPI dashboards, reporting, and ongoing analysis
Contribute to analysis for add-on acquisitions, refinancings, and exit planning
Assist with ad hoc analytical projects related to portfolio strategy
Early exposure to buy-side investing and decision-making
Hands-on involvement in live transactions and portfolio analysis
Interaction with management teams, founders, and senior investors
Accelerated learning in financial modeling, valuation, and investment judgment
This profile reflects the competencies commonly sought for entry-level buy-side associate roles.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
Strong Excel skills and ability to build or review financial models
Foundational understanding of accounting, corporate finance, and valuation
Prior internships or exposure to investment banking, private equity, private credit, asset management, consulting, or corporate finance is beneficial
Clear interest in investing, financial analysis, and transaction-oriented work
Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to perform in fast-paced, high-expectation environments
Coachable, curious, and motivated to develop as an investor
Career Launch AI is a career acceleration platform for candidates pursuing competitive buy-side and private markets roles.
Automated applications to a large volume of relevant entry-level roles
Targeted searches across private equity, growth equity, private credit, venture capital, and related buy-side fields
Human-led outreach to recruiters and investment professionals
Support initiating direct, targeted conversations beyond job portals
Centralized systems to manage applications and outreach
End-to-end administrative support throughout the recruiting process
Support with investment case studies, modeling tests, and technical interviews
Behavioral interview coaching aligned with entry-level buy-side roles
Ongoing guidance provided throughout the hiring process until placement
To access roles of this kind through the Career Launch AI platform, visit:
careerlaunch.ai
Career Launch AI offers access to a curated private job board, personalized outreach support, automated application tools, interview preparation, and continued assistance until placement.
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