What are the responsibilities and job description for the Private Equity Associate position at Hampton Reid?
About the Firm
A Chicago-based private equity firm with over three decades of experience investing in lower middle-market industrial companies. The firm has a narrow sector focus and a founder-friendly approach, typically entering as the first or second institutional investor and working closely with management teams to drive operational improvement and long-term value creation.
About the Role
The firm is looking to add an Associate to its investment team in Chicago. The role offers broad exposure across the investment lifecycle — from deal sourcing and diligence through to execution and portfolio company involvement. Associates work in lean deal teams alongside senior investment professionals and are given meaningful responsibility from day one
Responsibilities
- Evaluate new investment opportunities across the firm's target sectors, including engineered industrial products, industrial services, and value-added distribution
- Build and maintain financial models to support investment decisions, including LBO models, valuation analyses, and scenario analyses
- Conduct due diligence across commercial, operational, and financial dimensions, including industry research, management meetings, and third-party advisor coordination
- Prepare investment committee materials and contribute to deal documentation and transaction execution
- Support portfolio company initiatives and ongoing monitoring of existing investments
- Assist in sourcing and evaluating add-on acquisition opportunities
Qualifications
- 2–4 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, or a related transactional or analytical role
- Strong financial modelling and valuation capabilities; experience with LBO modelling preferred
- Genuine interest in industrial businesses — familiarity with sectors such as fluid power, process automation, material handling, filtration, or electrical utility components is a plus
- Ability to operate effectively in a lean environment with limited hierarchy and a hands-on culture
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable engaging with management teams and senior stakeholders
- Self-starter who can manage multiple workstreams and move quickly without close oversight
- Based in or willing to relocate to Chicago; full-time in-office expected