Partner, Private Equity

About the role

This role represents a strategic inflection point for Interplay as we establish a dedicated private equity division to complement our existing venture and operational offerings. The successful Partner will own the end-to-end lifecycle of the new PE strategy, from initial thesis development and capital deployment through to active portfolio management and ultimate exit realization. You will be responsible for building the investment process, culture, and operational playbook from the ground up, effectively acting as the architect of this new discipline. The position demands a strategic thinker who views time as a competitive advantage, leveraging duration to unlock value in mature, cash-flowing businesses rather than pursuing fleeting trends. You will own the narrative of this division, articulating its vision and value proposition to investors, partners, and stakeholders. Success in this role will be defined by your ability to create a best-in-class platform that delivers superior risk-adjusted returns while earning professional fulfillment and recognition within the Interplay ecosystem. This is a founder-led role where your judgment and execution will directly shape the future of the firm's capital allocation.

Key facts

What you'll do

Build and lead Interplay's private equity division, establishing the operational infrastructure, governance, and long-term strategic vision required for sustained success in the asset class.

Develop a differentiated investment thesis, target sector focus, and precise return profile that align with Interplay's broader mission and capital base.

Identify, source, and rigorously evaluate control and meaningful minority investment opportunities within established, cash-generative private companies across targeted verticals.

Lead comprehensive due diligence processes, construct precise deal structures, and negotiate terms from the signing of the LOI through definitive documentation and successful transaction close.

Partner closely with management teams post-close to drive operational improvement, value creation initiatives, and strategic growth programs that enhance enterprise value.

Establish and cultivate robust relationships with limited partners, co-investors, debt providers, intermediaries, and strategic corporate partners to build a resilient ecosystem.

Construct, monitor, and optimize a diversified portfolio of investments, applying disciplined risk management and performance measurement to achieve target returns.

Design, document, and refine end-to-end workflows for sourcing, diligence, execution, monitoring, and reporting to ensure scalability and repeatability of the practice.

Continuously scan the private equity landscape, tracking market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities to maintain Interplay's positioning as a sophisticated and relevant player.

Champion the division internally and externally, communicating progress, insights, and value creation stories to inspire confidence and attract superior deal flow.

Requirements

You are a self starter who thrives in ambiguous environments and is intrinsically motivated to learn and adapt without constant supervision.

You are a creative problem solver who is not afraid to get hands-on and navigate complex, real-world challenges directly.

You operate as a swiss army knife, comfortable managing a wide spectrum of responsibilities that span strategy, execution, and stakeholder management.

You possess exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to structure complex information, manage competing timelines, and translate data into actionable plans.

You have a proactive mindset, generating innovative ideas for sourcing strategies, value creation levers, and ongoing portfolio support while anticipating industry shifts.

You are a disciplined problem identifier and resolver, capable of foreseeing potential roadblocks and implementing timely, effective solutions.

You demonstrate strong collaboration skills, working effectively with cross-functional teams and building deep, trust-based relationships with partners and external stakeholders.

You are highly organized, managing multiple priorities and deadlines concurrently while maintaining meticulous attention to quality and professionalism.

You are tech-proficient, readily adapting to and mastering new software tools related to deal sourcing, financial modeling, portfolio oversight, and data management.

You embody a get-it-done mentality, finding alternative paths around obstacles and relentlessly pursuing excellence in every assignment.

If you are an MBA candidate, you are the outlier who knows the classroom paradigm does not fit your ambition; you grasp concepts rapidly and feel constrained by the pace of traditional programs relative to your capacity for impact.

You have the maturity and judgment to operate as a senior leader representing Interplay in high-stakes conversations with investors and partners.

Nice to have

Have a genuine laugh and the ability to find humor in challenging situations to maintain team morale.

Bring a great, resilient attitude and a willingness to engage in any task necessary to achieve the mission, regardless of its nature.

Possess the determination to run through barriers with focus and intensity, approaching obstacles with relentless commitment.

Harbor a deep passion for finance, complex problem-solving, and competitive achievement within the context of building a platform.

Draw on relevant prior experience in private equity, growth equity, investment banking, strategy consulting, corporate development, or operating roles within PE-backed companies.

Hold an undergraduate degree from a prestigious university with a strong quantitative focus in finance or a related field, coupled with substantive internship experience in finance or investing.

Practical notes

This role offers a hybrid schedule requiring 2-3 days of in-office presence in New York each week.