Associate Principal, Private Equity

What You’ll Do

As an Associate Principal focused on the Professional Services vertical, you will be part of a team responsible for leading and managing the origination and private equity commercial due diligence and value creation engagement initiatives of the Company, both strategically and tactically. This person will ensure that Ducker Carlisle is “top of mind” and well known with all key deal source constituencies. Working closely with senior members of the Company, the successful candidate will develop and enhance the Company’s existing deal sourcing efforts and create best practices to further institutionalize and expand the Company’s engagement origination processes. In addition, the Commercial Director will manage its client relationships throughout the deal flow and have delivery responsibilities to ensure best-in-class client execution. 

The Associate Principal will be highly team-oriented, have an exceptional work ethic, and be passionate about private equity and investment banking business development and the critical nature of this role. This person will be strategic, driven to win and will present with determination, and a sense of urgency. It is critical that the candidate is resourceful, highly organized, process-oriented, data driven, and tech savvy. In addition, the successful candidate will be intellectually curious and embrace continuous improvement, constantly seeking ways to ensure client satisfaction with Ducker Carlisle deliverables. 

While the Associate Principal will be a critical contributor to delivery and new business opportunities for the entire Ducker Carlisle organization, the primary emphasis will be developing client relationships with private equity firms, investment banks, and related intermediaries, with a focus on professional services sectors including IT services, Legal, Accounting, and related business services.

This role is remote, with a preference for candidates based in New York City or the Eastern Time Zone.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Establish and maintain relationships and coverage with a target group of middle-market and top-tier private equity sponsors and investment banks in the United States   

• Facilitate best-in-class client engagement with Ducker Carlisle’s Private Equity team members, including project execution, analysis and final reporting reviews   

• Originate new engagement opportunities including buy-side/sell-side commercial diligence, value creation exit support, with particular focus on professional services sectors including IT services, Legal, Accounting, and related business services   

• Expand and broaden the Company’s intermediary coverage while also deepening relationships with key sources of deal flow to key middle market investment banks, private equity firms, non-bank lenders, law firms, brokers/intermediaries, entrepreneurs, executives and other prospective clients and/or client leads   

• Serve as a relationship manager to facilitate deal flow and be available as an ongoing primary point of contact for all newly developed clients   

• Provide guidance on investment thesis and key business risks to private equity executives, investment banking professionals, and Ducker Carlisle industry teams   

• Partner seamlessly with senior members of the Company in the diligence process, management meetings, and reporting to ensure consistency of client interaction and relationships with targeted clients   

• Build Ducker Carlisle’s brand and position as a thought leader in the private equity and investment banking ecosystem   

Qualifications:  

To achieve success in this high energy, rapidly growing and entrepreneurial environment, the Commercial Director will need a broad array of technical, leadership, and business operation skills. Ideal candidates will possess:   

• Bachelor’s Degree from a top institution (advanced degree or MBA preferred)   

• Substantial private equity consulting experience, having led or been the primary relationship manager for CDD engagements 

• Significant experience in business development focused on private equity or mergers and acquisitions where they have a demonstrated track record in successfully leading efforts to originate new consulting business   

• Knowledge, involvement, and networking within the middle-market private equity and investment banking landscape, having relationships with leading intermediaries, lenders, service providers, and other influencers   

• Experience and credibility in supporting transactions and client development within professional services sectors, including IT services, Legal, Accounting, and related business services   

• Proven experience in negotiating engagements, preferably with private equity or investment banking clients   

• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders to ensure seamless client delivery   

• Professional demeanor with unquestioned integrity, credibility and character demonstrating high moral and ethical behavior 

• Ability to practice independently, as well as within a team environment 

About Ducker Carlisle

Named one of America's Top Management Consulting Firms 2026 by Business Insider, Ducker Carlisle is a global market research, strategy consulting and M&A advisory firm that helps the world's largest companies and private equity firms optimize business performance and accelerate growth. Founded in 1961 with offices across the US, Germany, France, UK, India and China, the firm leverages proprietary data, deep industry knowledge and proven methodologies to deliver tailored, industry-specific insights and recommendations across the automotive, heavy truck & equipment, general industrial, building and construction, and private equity sectors. For more information, visit DuckerCarlisle.com.

Why Work for Ducker Carlisle
We are uniquely positioned as a boutique firm with a global footprint serving some of the world’s largest companies. You will have the opportunity to meaningfully impact work across the firm and collaborate with client teams and colleagues across the globe. We strongly encourage growth within the organization and support career planning as part of our performance management process. We value and recognize our employees’ hard work through Project of the Quarter, employee shoutouts, and regular performance reviews. Collaboration and inclusivity are at the core of our culture. We host frequent social events, organize local volunteer opportunities, and offer hybrid work schedules. Our employees can access a competitive benefits package including 25 days of paid time off/year, 401(k) matching, and medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Compensation

The estimated base salary range for this role is $185k - $285k annually.  Exact compensation is determined based upon qualifications, experience, and location. Associate Principals are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on company, team, and individual performance.

Ducker Carlisle is an equal opportunity employer. You will be considered without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, qualified veteran's status, disability, or any other categories protected by law.

Ducker Carlisle is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us if you require an accommodation during the application process.