Job Description: Investment Banking Associate (Year 1 or 2)
Location: New York, NY / San Francisco, CA
Role Overview
We are seeking an Associate 1 or 2 to join our Enterprise Software team. This is a high-impact role at the heart of the "SaaS economy," focusing on companies across Cybersecurity, Cloud Infrastructure, DevOps, and Vertical AI.
As an Associate, you transition from "doing the work" to "managing the process." You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of deal teams, acting as the primary liaison between senior Managing Directors and the Analyst pool. You will play a critical role in articulating software unit economics (LTV/CAC, Magic Number, Net Retention) to sophisticated private equity and strategic buyers.
Key Responsibilities
Transaction Execution: Lead the execution of M&A mandates, IPOs, and private placements. Manage the due diligence process and act as the point person for client counterparts.
Advanced Financial Engineering: Oversee the development of complex operating models, three-statement projections, and SaaS-specific valuation frameworks (e.g., Rule of 40 analysis and revenue multiple benchmarking).
Strategic Storytelling: Architect the "equity story" for software businesses, translating technical product advantages into compelling investment theses for CIMs and management presentations.
Team Leadership: Manage and mentor Analysts, ensuring the accuracy of all deliverables while providing professional development and quality control.
Market Intelligence: Maintain a "point of view" on the software landscape, tracking emerging trends in Generative AI integration, PLG (Product-Led Growth) models, and consolidation trends.
Candidate Profile
Experience: 2–4 years of experience in Investment Banking, Corporate Development, or Private Equity. Direct experience in Tech or Software coverage is highly preferred.
SaaS Fluency: Deep understanding of software-specific metrics (ARR/MRR, Churn, Cohort Analysis, and Gross Margin profiles).
Technical Rigor: Expert-level proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; ability to build complex models from scratch under tight deadlines.
Communication: Exceptional writing skills and the presence to lead client calls and participate in boardroom presentations.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier institution. An MBA is a plus but not required for high-performing lateral hires with direct banking experience.
Why Enterprise Software?
The Enterprise Software sector remains the most resilient and active segment of the M&A market. Working in this group provides:
Complexity: Software deals often involve intricate revenue recognition and growth-at-all-costs vs. profitability trade-offs.
Velocity: Higher deal volumes compared to traditional industrials or energy.
Exit Ops: Unmatched exposure for future roles in Tech Private Equity or Corporate Strategy at Tier-1 software firms.