Corporate Development Associate

The Opportunity

If you’re someone who loves learning how great businesses grow — and wants a front-row seat to how private equity creates value beyond the deal — this is a rare opportunity.

An excellent private equity client of ours is expanding its Corporate Development Team and looking to add a Corporate Development Associate who is curious, driven, and excited to work hands-on with management teams across a portfolio of growing companies.

This role is built for someone who wants more than a single-company Corp Dev seat. You’ll work alongside senior leaders, support real M&A execution, and help portfolio companies build repeatable, best-in-class corporate development capabilities. Along the way, you’ll receive intentional mentorship, exposure, and development designed to prepare you for future leadership roles inside private-equity-backed businesses
.

• Partner directly with senior leadership to implement best-in-class corporate development and M&A processes across portfolio companies
• Work alongside investment professionals and management teams to identify value creation opportunities
  , scope initiatives, and execute strategic projects
• Provide interim, hands-on M&A support to portfolio companies, including valuation analysis, diligence coordination, and transaction execution for add-on acquisitions
• Support deal execution from initial evaluation through close
  , helping portfolio companies navigate fast-moving acquisition environments
• Contribute to the development of a centralized M&A best-practices toolkit
  , templates, and playbooks used across the portfolio
• Help design and support quarterly corporate development leadership forums that bring together M&A leaders from across the portfolio

• Exposure to multiple portfolio companies and industries
  , not just one seat
• Direct reporting and mentorship from a senior PE operating executive
• Structured learning and development with a clear path to operating leadership
• Deep, repeat exposure to buy-and-build strategies and add-on M&A
• A front-row seat to how private equity firms create value beyond the deal

• Background in investment banking, corporate development, private equity, consulting, or transaction advisory
• Strong analytical skills with experience in financial modeling, valuation, and diligence
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with senior stakeholders
• Highly organized, execution-oriented, and intellectually curious
• Interest in building a long-term career within private-equity-backed operating companies

• Chicago, IL
• In-office role with meaningful collaboration and mentorship

This is an exceptional opportunity for someone early in their career who wants more than just deal reps — someone looking to build the skillset, relationships, and judgment needed to step into meaningful leadership roles down the road. Contact us today!

Compensation: $150,000 per year