Director, Research (Private Equity)

Description

Join a collaborative, high-performing investment research team where your work directly influences institutional capital allocation. This role offers a unique opportunity to become a core contributor to private equity manager due diligence, partnering closely with experienced investors to evaluate leading managers across buyout, growth, and venture strategies.

From day one, you'll take ownership of the end-to-end due diligence process-sourcing new manager ideas, analyzing track records and investment attribution, leading manager meetings and on-site visits, and producing rigorous research that informs investment committee decisions. You'll build deep relationships with general partners, manage an active research pipeline, and maintain ongoing coverage of portfolio managers and upcoming fundraises.

This position is ideal for someone eager to deepen their expertise in private markets while gaining hands-on exposure to institutional-quality investment processes. You'll work in a highly collaborative environment, engage directly with top-tier private equity managers, and support a sophisticated client base that includes endowments, foundations, and family offices. The role is based in Portsmouth, NH or Boston, offering flexibility in location and meaningful opportunities for professional growth.

What You'll Do

• Develop and sustain a comprehensive pipeline of private equity manager ideas (spanning buyout, growth, and venture) that are either currently in the market or expected to enter within the next 12 months through industry relationships and market intelligence
• Create and maintain market maps for private equity segments while tracking industry trends and identifying emerging opportunities across private markets
• Lead comprehensive due diligence processes on private equity managers, including analysis of manager organizations, investment strategies, track records, and portfolio performance
• Conduct manager evaluation activities, including leading manager meetings, site visits, and reference calls to validate investment thesis and identify potential red flags
• Prepare clear and comprehensive investment reports with recommendations based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, incorporating insights from manager interactions and due diligence findings
• Monitor existing managers on an ongoing basis through attending annual meetings, general updates, and maintaining regular communication to track performance and strategic developments
• Communicate market intelligence and investment ideas to internal teams and clients, presenting investment opportunities and market trends in a clear and actionable format
• Support client private equity implementation processes, including portfolio construction analysis, manager selection processes, and fund recommendations tailored to client objectives
• Manage information flow between managers, clients, and internal teams to ensure seamless communication and decision-making processes
• Serve as subject matter expert on private markets for both internal colleagues and external clients, providing insights on market conditions, strategy performance, and investment opportunities

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA, CFA, or CAIA designation (or progress toward these credentials) preferred
• 10+ years of experience conducting due diligence on private equity managers, preferably from an investment consultant, investment office, or fund of funds
• Fund manager evaluation as the candidate's primary responsibility at prior firm(s)
• Specialized experience in segments of the private capital markets (i.e., venture capital, growth equity, buyouts)
• Demonstrated relationship-building skills and established network in private capital, including general partners, placement agents, and limited partners
• Experience using Quickbase, Tableau, Pitchbook, Refinitiv, or other private capital data and analytics providers

What We Offer

At Prime Buchholz, a proud B-Corp organization, we believe in aligning our success with a positive impact on the world. We also believe that great work deserves meaningful rewards.

Benefits & Perks:

• Flexibility & Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home up to two days a week, with a weekly anchor day in the office to foster team collaboration and connection.
• Savings: Plan for your future with our 401(k) match and profit-sharing program, designed to help you build long-term financial security.
• Community: We support your commitment to giving back with matching charitable contributions and paid volunteer time for causes that matter to you.
• Time: Take time to recharge with our flexible time-off policy and 11 paid holidays. Plus, we offer additional time off to support you through life's major milestones, including family growth.

Compensation:

• This role is classified at grade level 9, with a starting base salary range of $122,600-$159,400.
• Where you fall within this range will be based on your skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. We typically aim to welcome a new employee on the lower end of the given salary range to ensure room to grow as performance measures are met.
• In addition to base pay, all positions are bonus-eligible - because we believe your contributions should be recognized and rewarded.

At Prime Buchholz, we're committed to building and preserving a culture where individuals from different personal and professional backgrounds can thrive, contribute, and grow. The collective sum of our individual differences, knowledge, life experiences, and unique talents is the foundation for our accomplishments and impact.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. We strive to create a supportive community where everyone feels comfortable and confident to be authentic, open, and curious.