Private Equity Principal

Private Equity Principal / Managing Director - Industrials & Infrastructure

Full-time | Washington, DC Metro Area | Principal /Managing Director Level

About the Company

Our client is a well-established middle market private equity firm based in the Washington, DC area that partners with growing businesses across government-facing and industrial markets. The firm has raised multiple funds and built a loyal investor base, and it is now adding a senior investment professional as it broadens its sector focus.

About the Role

This is a rare chance to build something new inside a proven platform. The firm is hiring a senior investment professional at the Principal or Managing Director level to lead its expansion into energy infrastructure, critical infrastructure, engineering and design, transportation and logistics, and broader industrials. This person will bring an existing thesis and relationships in one or more of these sectors, begin sourcing from day one, and become the firm's senior voice in these new markets.

Candidates do not need experience in every one of these sectors. What matters is the ability to identify an attractive market, build a thesis around it, and turn that thesis into a sourcing strategy and closed deals.

The timing is also compelling. This hire joins as the firm prepares for its next fund, and the deals this person sources and closes will help shape that story. The role reports to the firm’s partners and works directly with senior leadership.

Highlights

• Build your own franchise without the startup risk: Shape a new vertical from the ground up and become the firm’s go-to investor in it, backed by an established track record and a loyal investor base.
• Join at the right moment: Come in ahead of the next fund with a direct hand in the deals that define it.
• A family-centric culture: A lean, high-performing team with no sharp elbows, rare senior turnover and leadership that makes room for life outside work.

Key Responsibilities

Building a New Vertical

• Develop and lead investment theses in energy infrastructure, critical infrastructure, engineering services, transportation and logistics, and other industrial sectors, building on an existing network from day one.
• Build a network of business owners, management teams, bankers and intermediaries in these new markets to generate proprietary deal flow
• Originate platform and add-on opportunities across the firm’s funds
• Help deploy the firm’s current fund while building the pipeline for the next

Deal Execution

• Lead transactions from first look through closing, including valuation, structuring, diligence and financing
• Prepare and present investment committee memos and recommendations
• Manage lenders, accountants, attorneys and other outside advisors

Portfolio & Firm Support

• Partner with portfolio company management teams, working closely with CFOs on performance, growth initiatives and add-on acquisitions
• Participate in board meetings and provide high-level strategic and financial oversight through exit; management teams run day-to-day operations, so this is not an operating-partner role
• Support fundraising efforts, including LP meetings and materials

Team Leadership

• Mentor and develop vice presidents and associates on live deals
• Contribute to recruiting and to the firm’s culture

Professional Experience & Qualifications

• Current Principal or Managing Director at a buyout or capital investment private equity firm, or a highly experienced Vice President with a proven origination track record
• Demonstrated ability to originate deals and build a sector thesis, with relationships you can bring to the role on day one
• End-to-end deal experience from sourcing through exit, including control buyouts (credit-only backgrounds are not a fit)
• Experience in industrials, manufacturing, energy or critical infrastructure, engineering services, or transportation and logistics
• Investment banking, accounting or consulting foundation, with progression inside private equity; MBA not required
• Owner mentality, low ego and comfort with a direct, transparent feedback culture
• Ties to the Washington, DC area, or a clear interest in relocating there
• US citizenship required; security clearance or military background a plus

Compensation

Total cash compensation of $400,000 to $600,000, including base salary and annual bonus, depending on experience. The role also includes carried interest. 

Location & Work Model

Based in the Washington, DC metro area. The investment team works in the office five days a week, and travel is roughly 20%, including board meetings, management presentations, and site visits.

Find your fit: view all open positions at Soul Equity Solutions.

About Soul Equity Solutions

Soul Equity is a retained executive search firm dedicated exclusively to guiding middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies to best-in-class talent. Our boutique recruiting experience is highly bespoke and curated to our clients’ needs.

This firm is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.