Private Equity Principal

Private Equity Principal - Industrials & Regulated Markets | Full-time |Washington, DC Metro Area | Principal Level

About the Company

Our client is a well-established middle market private equity firm based in the Washington, DC area that partners with growing businesses across government-facing and industrial markets. The firm has raised multiple funds and built a loyal investor base, and it is now adding a senior investment professional as it broadens its sector focus.

About the Role

This is a rare chance to build something new inside a proven platform. The firm is hiring a Principal to lead its expansion into adjacent regulated markets and broader industrials, including sectors such as energy, transportation and engineering services. The Principal will shape the investment theses, build the relationships, and originate the platforms that define this next chapter of the firm, and will become the firm’s senior voice in these markets.

Candidates do not need experience in every one of these sectors. What matters is the ability to identify an attractive market, build a thesis around it, and turn that thesis into a sourcing strategy and closed deals.

The Principal joins as the firm prepares for its next fund, and the deals this person sources and closes will help shape that story. The role reports to the firm’s partners and works directly with senior leadership.

Highlights

• Build your own franchise without the startup risk: Shape a new vertical from the ground up and become the firm’s go-to investor in it, backed by an established track record and a loyal investor base.
• Join at the right moment: Come in ahead of the next fund with a direct hand in the deals that define it.
• A family-centric culture: A lean, high-performing team with no sharp elbows, rare senior turnover, and leadership that makes room for life outside work.

The Path Forward

The path from Principal to Managing Director to Partner is clear and achievable, with direct exposure to the firm’s senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Building a New Vertical

• Develop and lead investment theses in regulated and industrial sectors adjacent to the firm’s existing focus areas
• Build a network of business owners, management teams, bankers, and intermediaries in these new markets to generate proprietary deal flow
• Originate platform and add-on opportunities across the firm’s funds
• Help deploy the firm’s current fund while building the pipeline for the next

Deal Execution

• Lead transactions from first look through closing, including valuation, structuring, diligence and financing
• Prepare and present investment committee memos and recommendations
• Manage lenders, accountants, attorneys and other outside advisors

Portfolio & Firm Support

• Partner with portfolio company management teams, working closely with CFOs on performance, growth initiatives and add-on acquisitions
• Participate in board meetings and provide high-level strategic and financial oversight through exit; management teams run day-to-day operations, so this is not an operating-partner role
• Support fundraising efforts, including LP meetings and materials

Team Leadership

• Mentor and develop vice presidents and associates on live deals
• Contribute to recruiting and to the firm’s culture

Professional Experience & Qualifications

• Current Principal, or a Vice President with roughly three or more years in seat who is ready for promotion, at a buyout or capital investment private equity firm
• Demonstrated ability to originate deals, not just execute them
• End-to-end deal experience from sourcing through exit, including control buyouts (credit-only backgrounds are not a fit)
• Experience in industrials, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, government services or other regulated sectors
• Investment banking, accounting or consulting foundation, with progression inside private equity; MBA not required
• Owner mentality, low ego and comfort with a direct, transparent feedback culture
• Ties to the Washington, DC area, or a clear interest in relocating there
• Security clearance or military background a plus

Location & Work Model

Based in the Washington, DC metro area. The investment team works in the office five days a week, and travel is roughly 20%, including board meetings, management presentations, and site visits.

Compensation

Targeting approximately $500,000 in total annual compensation, inclusive of base salary and bonus.

Find your fit: view all open positions at Soul Equity Solutions.

About Soul Equity Solutions

Soul Equity is a retained executive search firm dedicated exclusively to guiding middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies to best-in-class talent. Our boutique recruiting experience is highly bespoke and curated to our clients’ needs.

This firm is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary : $500,000