Entry Buy-Side Associate

Career Launch AI Talent Network

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)

Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Typically $140,000 – $185,000 total compensation (varies by employer)

About This Role

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.

About The Opportunity

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.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Investment Analysis & Financial Modeling

• 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
  
  

Due Diligence & Market Research

• 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
  
  

Investment Committee & Deal Support

• 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
  
  

Portfolio Monitoring & Support

• 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
  
  

What Makes This Work Engaging

• 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
  
  

Ideal Candidate Profile

This profile reflects the competencies commonly sought for entry-level buy-side associate roles.

Education & Technical Skills

• 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
  
  

Experience (Formal Or Informal)

• 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
  
  

Soft Skills & Mindset

• 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
  
  

How Career Launch AI Helps Candidates Access Roles Like This

Career Launch AI is a career acceleration platform for candidates pursuing competitive buy-side and private markets roles.

AI-Powered Job Search Automation

• 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
  
  

Recruiter & Hiring Manager Outreach

• Human-led outreach to recruiters and investment professionals
• Support initiating direct, targeted conversations beyond job portals
  
  

Execution & Tracking Support

• Centralized systems to manage applications and outreach
• End-to-end administrative support throughout the recruiting process
  
  

Interview & Case Preparation

• Support with investment case studies, modeling tests, and technical interviews
• Behavioral interview coaching aligned with entry-level buy-side roles
  
  

Continued Support

• Ongoing guidance provided throughout the hiring process until placement
  
  

Learn More or Apply

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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