Associate Job Description
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VSS is a private equity firm that invests in the information, education, business services, and healthcare sectors.
VSS provides capital for buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings and strategic acquisitions to middle market companies and management teams with the goal of building companies organically and through a focused add-on acquisition program.
VSS makes privately-negotiated investments across the capital structure and has the ability to invest in situations requiring control or non-control equity, mezzanine securities and structured equity securities.
We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Pre-MBA Associate to join our team. Please note that this is intended to be a two-year position. This individual will work in support of senior investment professionals with primary responsibilities in the areas of due diligence, financial modeling, structuring and documentation of new investments as well as monitoring existing investments.
Required Qualifications Include:
- BA/BS degree from a top university with an outstanding academic record
- 2-3 years of relevant experience in commercial or investment banking, strategy consulting, or a comparable financial environment
- Experience in mergers & acquisitions or leveraged finance/credit analysis preferred
- Experience in VSS’s targeted industry sectors preferred
- Strong understanding of accounting, corporate finance and valuation concepts
- Top analytical and modeling skills (LBO, DCF, P&L forecasting)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Solid PowerPoint skills
- Highly motivated team player, able to work well under pressure
Candidate Profile:
Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
- Build financial models
- Perform valuation & comparable analysis
- Conduct market and competitive research
- Evaluate key business drivers (e.g. unit economics)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Author investment memoranda
- Present deal opportunities to Managing Directors
Strategic thinker
- Analyze investment opportunities and make recommendations to Managing Directors
- Formulate investment theses and create market maps to drive sourcing efforts
Intellectual curiosity
- Passion for learning about new sectors and companies
- Desire to understand the key tenets of a business and whether a deal is a good investment (vs. an interesting company)
Mature, professional personality
- Can effectively represent the firm’s brand in the marketplace and within the firm
Self-starter
- Can work independently in an unstructured environment
- Bias for action
Robust work ethic
- Willingness to work nights/weekends and travel as necessary
The resume should include your GPA (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable) as well as standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, and GMAT, if applicable). All resumes must be accompanied by a cover letter outlining your achievements and interest in VSS. Please email both your resume and cover letter to recruiting@vss.com