Sr. Direct Private Investment Associate

The Sr. Direct Private Investment Associate will be responsible for sourcing, analyzing, and executing investments in private companies and non-listed securities, with a focus on pre-IPO, growth-stage, and secondary market opportunities. The role involves close interaction with private market platforms, issuers, intermediaries, and Ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth investors, providing investment advice and transaction support across the full investment lifecycle. This role will establish and lead a new business line providing curated access to growth and late-stage private company equity and secondary market opportunities, with a strong focus on disciplined due diligence, transaction structuring, governance, and regulatory compliance within a U.S.-based private banking platform.

The role requires deep expertise in secondary private markets, transaction execution, issuer and shareholder dynamics, and pre-IPO risk management, combined with strong commercial skills.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Platform Build-Out

• Design and implement the end-to-end framework for the direct investment opportunities (primary and secondary) , including sourcing and evaluating differente strategies, product structures, execution workflows, governance, and reporting.
• Define the target universe of Direct investments opportunities (e.g., late-stage growth companies, unicorns, dual-track IPO candidates) and eligible transaction types (direct secondaries, structured vehicles, SPVs, feeder structures, funds, bespoke mandates).
• Establish investment guidelines, eligibility criteria, concentration limits, liquidity assumptions, and exit frameworks.
• Develop scalable operating processes covering onboarding, execution, custody, valuation, and lifecycle management of direct investments,

Deal Sourcing & Market Engagement

• Source proprietary and platform-based Pre-IPO opportunities through relationships with:
• Secondary market platforms
• Venture capital and growth equity firms
• Investment banks and private placement agents
• Evaluate primary vs. secondary opportunities and negotiate transaction terms, pricing, and allocations.
• Navigate issuer consent requirements, shareholder agreements, transfer restrictions, and information rights.

Due Diligence & Investment Analysis

• Lead comprehensive Direct investments due diligence processes, including:
• Company fundamentals, business model, and competitive positioning
• Financial performance, unit economics, and growth sustainability
• Cap table analysis, dilution scenarios, and preferred vs. common equity dynamics
• Legal and structural review of shareholder agreements, ROFR provisions, lock-ups, and transfer restrictions
• IPO readiness assessment, exit scenarios, and downside risk analysis
• Oversee valuation methodologies for illiquid private assets and challenge pricing assumptions in secondary transactions.
• Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and external advisors to ensure investment robustness and defensibility.

Structuring & Execution

• Structure transactions using appropriate legal and tax-efficient vehicles (SPVs, funds, notes, or bespoke mandates) aligned with client profiles and jurisdictional considerations.
• Manage execution workflows from term sheet through settlement, including coordination with custodians, administrators, and external counsel.
• Ensure clear documentation of risks, liquidity constraints, valuation uncertainty, and exit timing.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Establish a robust governance framework consistent with U.S. regulatory requirements and internal private banking standards.
• Partner closely with Risk and Compliance teams to define approval processes and escalation protocols.

Client & Advisor Engagement

• Act as the Bank’s internal specialist on direct investments and private secondary investing.
• Support Private Bankers and Investment Advisors through:
• Training and education on Direct investments
• Development of client-facing materials, investment memos, and risk disclosures
• Participation in client meetings, investment committees, and bespoke mandate discussions
• Translate complex Direct investments structures and risks into clear, client-appropriate narratives for UHNW audiences.

Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Monitor performance, valuation updates, corporate actions, and liquidity events across the relevant portfolio.
• Provide regular reporting to senior management, including pipeline, allocations, performance, and risk metrics.
• Track market trends, transaction pricing, and liquidity conditions in secondary private markets.

Required Experience

• Minimum 5–10 years of professional experience in:
• Direct Investments and secondary markets
• Private equity / growth equity
• Venture capital
• Capital markets or alternative investments
• Direct, hands-on experience with secondary Direct investments, including negotiation, execution, and settlement.
• Prior experience at or in close collaboration with private market platforms, or similar private market intermediaries is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
• Right of First Refusal (ROFR) mechanics
• Share transfer restrictions and issuer consent processes
• Pre-IPO lock-ups and post-IPO liquidity dynamics
• Strong familiarity with U.S. equity markets and private market infrastructure, including:
• Market data and analytics platforms (Bloomberg, Refinitiv, PitchBook, CapIQ, or equivalents)
• Custody, fund administration, and SPV structures
• Equity capital markets (ECM) processes and IPO pathways
• Experience launching, scaling, or institutionalizing new investment products or business lines within a regulated environment is highly desirable.
• Prior exposure to UHNW or private banking clients is a strong plus.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Deep technical understanding of Direct investments, secondary liquidity, and private market structures.
• Strong commercial judgment with a disciplined, risk-aware investment mindset.
• Advanced financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills for illiquid assets.
• Ability to independently build and lead a new business line from strategy through execution.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with external counterparties and internal stakeholders.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, particularly with sophisticated UHNW clients and senior management.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and comfort operating in a regulated private banking environment.

Language Requirements

• Fluent Spanish (mandatory)
• Full professional proficiency in English

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA, CFA, or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred.