Description

Waud Capital Partners ("WCP") is a leading middle market private equity firm based in Chicago that has raised approximately $3.2 billion of capital commitments and has made more than 350 growth-oriented investments. We partner with exceptional management teams to build leading companies in our focus sectors of healthcare services and business and technology services. Waud Capital’s disciplined and process-oriented approach has resulted in consistent, superior risk-adjusted returns for our investors.

The Strategy Associate on our Business Intelligence & Strategy team will have a unique opportunity to be involved in both pre-deal and post-deal activities. This individual will play a critical role in the pre-deal investment process by identifying and assessing potentially attractive segments within the healthcare services sectors, then ultimately developing investment theses to support investments in the space. In addition, this individual will have the opportunity to work directly with portfolio companies on strategic initiatives. This position reports directly to the Director of Business Intelligence & Strategy and will have exposure to all the senior members of the firm, including making presentations to the firm’s investment committee.

We seek an intellectually curious individual with experience in strategy and/or value creation-related projects (e.g., growth strategy, geo/product expansion, M&A strategy, industry mapping, strategic planning, etc.). The ideal candidate will have at least 2-3 years of experience in strategy roles for consulting firms, healthcare organizations, or investment firms, along with an interest in moving into the private equity industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide WCP team with valuable market insight, and guidance in deal sourcing
• Develop detailed investment theses for potentially attractive industry segments, including:

1. A foundational understanding of the industry and assessment of attractiveness and fit within the firm’s investment strategy
2. Potential strategies and enter and win in the space
3. Insights and backdrop for making fully informed investment decisions

• Collaborate with management on developing and improving firm strategy
• Assist with managing strategic resources, internally and externally
• Interface with portfolio companies and assist with special projects
• Interact and present to key constituents of the firm including investment team members, management teams of companies, deal sources, co-investors, service providers, limited partners and others

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, equity research, or strategy training ground
• Has a demonstrated interest in healthcare (at least 1 year of direct experience in healthcare-related sectors and/or companies) and desire to build a career path in healthcare 
• Intellectual curiosity to keep abreast of industry dynamics and trends
• Experience in assessing new markets and growth opportunities, including executing primary and secondary research
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
• Exposure to and foundational understanding of investments and private equity is a plus, but not required

WCP offers competitive compensation, and we take care of our employees through generous contributions to medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with other ancillary benefits. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we work to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals of all backgrounds.

Founded in 1993, Waud Capital Partners (WCP) is a leading Chicago-based private equity firm that partners with exceptional management teams to acquire or create platforms in the U.S. lower middle market through control-oriented growth equity investments, industry consolidation, buyouts or recapitalizations. WCP targets services businesses in large, growing, fragmented markets within two industries: healthcare services and business and technology services. WCP seeks companies generating strong cash flow that can be grown both organically and through acquisition. Since its founding, WCP has made more than 195 investments, including platform companies and follow-on opportunities. WCP closed its fourth fund in early 2016 with $1.056 billion of total commitment, and it has approximately $2.1 billion in assets under management.