Buy-Side Investment Analyst
The Buy-Side Investment Analyst role is an entry-level position focused on supporting the full investment lifecycle at lower middle-market private equity firms. Responsibilities include building complex financial models, conducting due diligence and market research, preparing investment memos, and assisting with portfolio company performance analysis. This hybrid role offers direct exposure to live deals and investment decision-making, fostering rapid technical and professional growth in a collaborative, apprenticeship-style environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, a Confidential Client in Private Equity & Investment Management.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
About the Opportunity
We are supporting a confidential, lower-middle-market buy-side firm in New York, NY that is hiring an entry-level Buy-Side Investment Analyst. This role offers direct exposure to live deal work across deal evaluation, financial modeling, diligence, and portfolio support in a hands-on, apprenticeship-style environment.
What You’ll Do
- Build and maintain operating and transaction models (3-statement models, DCFs, and LBOs)
- Analyze investment returns, capital structures, sensitivities, and downside scenarios
- Perform valuations using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and intrinsic methods
- Support underwriting and scenario analysis for new investments and add-on opportunities
- Assist diligence across financial, commercial, operational, and legal workstreams
- Analyze KPIs, cohorts, margins, and unit economics to assess company performance
- Conduct industry, market, and competitive research to inform investment theses
- Draft investment memos, exhibits, and presentation materials for internal review
- Summarize diligence findings, highlight key risks and opportunities, and support IC preparation
- Support transaction execution through signing and closing, and help monitor post-close performance
- Contribute to portfolio-level reporting, KPI dashboards, and analysis on operational initiatives, growth strategies, and exit scenarios
What Makes the Role Engaging
- Direct responsibility on live deals and meaningful input to investment decisions
- Frequent interaction with management teams and senior investment professionals
- Fast paced learning across M&A, strategy, and applied finance with a clear growth path toward more senior buy-side roles
Ideal Candidate Profile
Education & Technical Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field
- Advanced Excel skills; ability to build, audit, and interpret complex financial models
- Strong foundation in accounting, corporate finance, and valuation methodologies
Experience (Formal or Informal)
- Prior internships or experience in investment banking, private equity, consulting, transaction advisory, or corporate finance is beneficial
- Demonstrated interest in investing, financial analysis, or M&A via coursework, internships, or independent projects
Soft Skills & Mindset
- Strong ownership mentality and rigorous attention to detail
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to perform in fast-paced, deadline-driven deal environments
- Coachable, intellectually curious, and eager to learn
Compensation & Location
- Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)
- Compensation: Typically $140,000 – $185,000+ total compensation (varies by employer and role)
How Careertakes Helps Candidates
As a third-party recruiting platform, Careertakes connects qualified candidates with confidential buy-side employers and helps streamline the application process through recruiter outreach, role matching, and interview preparation. Applicants may receive support with:
- Targeted outreach to recruiters and investment professionals
- Financial modeling test prep and technical interview practice
- Application tracking and administrative support through the hiring process
Qualifications Snapshot (Quick)
- Bachelor’s degree (required)
- Strong Excel + financial modeling (required)
- Solid accounting and valuation fundamentals
- Relevant internship/early-career experience preferred
- Location: Must be able to work in New York, NY (hybrid schedule)
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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