Private Equity Associate-Due Diligence
Position: Private Equity Associate-Due Diligence (Success-Fee Basis Only)
Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area (Remote)
Company: Dark Alpha Capital
About Dark Alpha Capital
Dark Alpha Capital is an independent sponsor focused on lower-middle-market leveraged buyouts and strategic acquisitions across business services, healthcare, industrial services, and defense & aerospace. We pride ourselves on a rigorous, hands-on approach to deal sourcing, underwriting, and value creation—partnering closely with operating partners and management teams to drive growth and operational excellence.
Role Overview
We are seeking a driven Private Equity Associate to join our lean deal team. This role will be heavily centered on financial due diligence and underwriting: you’ll dive deep into quality-of-earnings analyses, build detailed financial models, and help shape investment theses. If you’re an Accounting major (or similar) who thrives on data, loves building Excel-based models, and wants direct exposure to every stage of the deal life-cycle—this could be the perfect fit.
Key Responsibilities
- Due Diligence & QoE Analysis
- Lead primary and secondary financial due diligence
- Design, manage, and execute quality-of-earnings reviews
- Underwriting & Financial Modeling
- Build and maintain detailed LBO and operating models
- Perform sensitivity analyses, scenario planning, and valuation work
- Deal Screening & Origination Support
- Triage inbound deal flow against investment criteria
- Conduct high-level market and competitive landscaping
- Investment Memo & Thesis Development
- Draft concise, data-driven investment theses and presentation materials
- Collaborate on deal memos, management presentations, and board materials
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with operating partners, external advisors, and management teams
- Coordinate deliverables, Q&A, and follow-up throughout diligence
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- Prior experience in private equity, investment banking, corporate development, or transaction advisory is preferred but not required
- Proven proficiency in financial due diligence and quality-of-earnings frameworks
- Advanced Excel skills; comfortable building and auditing complex models
- Strong analytical acumen—able to synthesize large data sets into actionable insights
- Excellent written and verbal communication; capable of crafting clear, persuasive investment materials
- Self-starter mindset; thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Compensation
100% Success-Fee Basis: Compensation is structured as a fee paid upon successful closing of transactions to which you contribute. The more deals you help close, the higher your earnings potential.
How to Apply
Please submit your résumé and a brief cover letter outlining:
- Your interest in financial due diligence and QoE analyses
- Any relevant modeling or deal-screening experience (academic, internship, or professional)
Why you’re excited about a success-fee, entrepreneurial role
Send materials to careers@darkalphacapital.com with the subject line:
PE Associate Application – [Your Name]
Dark Alpha Capital is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.