Private Equity - VP

Chesapeake Search Partners • Full-time • Bethesda, MD, US • 3w ago

The Vice President of Private Equity will play a key leadership role across the full investment lifecycle—from sourcing and executing transactions to portfolio management and value creation. This individual will work closely with senior leadership, junior team members, and portfolio company executives to drive performance across a portfolio of high-potential businesses. The VP will lead end-to-end deal execution and take ownership of assigned portfolio companies, providing strategic guidance and operational support to their management teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Investment Execution

Lead full transaction lifecycle, including sourcing, due diligence, financial modeling, LOI, legal documentation, debt financing, closing, and post-close monitoring.
Build and manage complex LBO/LBI models and capital structures.
Lead internal deal teams and coordinate with legal, accounting, and external advisors.
Prepare and present investment committee materials and recommendations.

Portfolio Management

Collaborate with internal teams to drive strategic growth and value across the portfolio, serving as a strategic partner to company management teams.
Oversee value creation initiatives, operational improvements, and performance monitoring, including KPIs, financials, and reporting.

Team Leadership & Strategy

Mentor and develop junior investment professionals, including Associates and Analysts.
Contribute to firm-wide strategy, portfolio construction, and the refinement of internal investment processes.
Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and impact-driven execution.

Deal Sourcing & Origination

Drive initial screening, relationship-building, and pre-LOI due diligence.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with intermediaries, executives, advisors, and key industry contacts.
Identify and evaluate new investment opportunities aligned with the firm’s investment thesis and impact mandate.
Support exit strategy planning, including recapitalizations and strategic sales.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, CFA, or other relevant graduate degree preferred.
5+ years of experience in private equity, investment banking, or strategic advisory.
Proven track record of sourcing and closing transactions, ideally in lower-middle-market or founder-led businesses. Advanced financial modeling skills, particularly in LBO and capital structure analysis, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
Familiarity with purchase agreements, deal structuring, legal negotiations, and the debt financing process.
Deep understanding of transaction execution with a focus on operational diligence.
Experience supporting or driving operational improvements within portfolio companies is highly preferred.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build credibility across stakeholders.
Highly self-aware, collaborative, and relationship-oriented, with a long-term approach to value creation.
Proactively seeks feedback and acts with minimal coaching.
Demonstrated commitment to the firm’s impact mission.