Private Equity Associate

A lean, high-progression PE team with a genuinely open approach to candidate background

A leading international firm is looking to make up to three private equity associate hires in London, targeting the 2–4 PQE range with a particular preference for candidates around the 2 PQE mark. This is a growth hire into an established, well-regarded practice not a reactive backfill and the team is notably open-minded on where candidates come from.

The practice covers a broad and varied private equity workload, offering genuine breadth rather than narrow specialisation:

• Leveraged buyouts
• Fundraisings
• Secondaries
• General private equity transactions

Work spans a blend of upper mid-market and larger-cap mandates, giving associates exposure across deal sizes rather than being pigeonholed into one segment of the market.

What Sets This Apart

• Genuinely open on background strong mid-market and Silver Circle-trained associates are actively welcomed, and candidates don't need PE to make up their entire practice to be considered.
• Real, visible progression. The lean team structure means promotion is a genuine strength rather than a talking point three associates are currently expected to move up to Counsel imminently, with a clear runway to partnership over the following few years.
• Meaningful international qualification routes. Open to England & Wales, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa qualified candidates, considered within roughly a year of equivalent PQE as long as they have London focused experience.
• Genuine investment in AI capability. Trainees and first-year associates can dedicate up to 400 hours to AI training that counts towards bonus targets one of the more distinctive and forward-looking initiatives in the market with senior associates typically allocated around 100 hours and flexibility to request more where there's a clear business case.
• Lean, senior-weighted structure. G enuine partner access and responsibility rather than being lost in a large group.

What They Are Looking For

• Qualified in England & Wales, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa (London experience)
• 2–4 PQE, ideally around the 2 PQE mark
• Some private equity experience (does not need to represent the entirety of your practice to date)
• Open background Silver Circle, strong mid-market, Magic Circle or elite US training all considered

Process

A focused two-stage interview process, with each stage involving at least two partners, assessing both technical ability and general commercial fit.

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