What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Private Equity position at HighVista Strategies?
Description
HighVista is seeking an entrepreneurial individual to join our private equity team as Vice President. HighVista has a deep history of investing in lower middle market private equity. The private equity team is currently investing out of an $800M Fund XI, which held its final close in January 2026.
In the Vice President role, the successful candidate will gain access to a multitude of private equity strategies and investment types, including direct equity co-investments, primary fund investments, and secondary investments.
A successful candidate will need to work closely with team members on multiple opportunities across both our existing portfolio and investment pipeline. As Vice President, a successful candidate will be expected to mentor professionals across the team and possess the leadership abilities necessary to manage the full lifecycle of an investment—from sourcing and thesis generation through due diligence, closing, and portfolio monitoring.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities:
- Deal Leadership & Execution: Lead the execution of new investment opportunities, including buyouts, co-investments, and secondaries. Oversee the development of complex financial models and investment memoranda, ensuring rigorous analysis and risk assessment.
- Sourcing & Relationship Management: Actively manage and expand HighVista’s network of independent sponsors, boutique intermediaries, and specialized managers. Identify and evaluate new "ponds" for investment that align with the firm’s alpha-driven focus.
- Investment Committee (IC) Engagement: Present investment recommendations to the IC. Defend investment theses with conviction while demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the lower middle market landscape.
- Transaction Structuring: Lead the negotiation of term sheets and definitive legal documentation alongside senior partners and legal counsel.
- Other Responsibilities:
- Researching specific investment themes
- Preparation of investment recommendations
- Portfolio data analysis
- Financial modeling
- Monitoring existing investments and portfolios
- Staying up to date with private equity market trends
Qualifications
- 5–10 years of relevant experience, with 4 years in a private equity specific role (ideally at the Senior Associate or Vice President level). Background in investment banking or management consulting is preferred.
- Entrepreneurial spirit and team-player, with the ability to work under the guidance of senior professionals and mentor the broader team.
- Bachelor’s degree or further education with a strong academic track record.
- Experience with LBO modeling, valuation techniques, and financial statement analysis.
- Ability to distill complex data into actionable investment insights.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proven ability to build trust with sponsors in a collaborative, non-hierarchical environment.
Salary : $170,000 - $210,000