Baird Capital – Global Private Equity

Baird Capital is the direct private investment group of Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) and includes both venture capital and private equity funds.  Baird is a leading, employee-owned middle market financial services firm with over 5,100 employees and over 200 locations across the US, Europe, and Asia. Baird has been on Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For list for 21 consecutive years – placing 34th in 2024. Our affiliation with Baird provides us with access to a global knowledge platform consisting of intellectual and human capital in the sectors in which we invest.

Our private equity team invests on a sector specialized basis in the US, UK, and Asia markets in lower middle market companies – with a focus on businesses that have global growth opportunities.  We make investments in B2B Tech & Services, including Industrial Technology & Sustainability (IT&S) and Technology Services sectors, investing in support of attractive subsector themes.

As a Vice President, Portfolio Operations, you will:

Support value creation within our portfolio companies, and new investment opportunities.

Support our global underwriting and portfolio management / monitoring / governance processes. 

Build independent relationships and effectively assess opportunities and risks within the portfolio, while demonstrating strong communication skills and exceptional quantitative analytical abilities.

What makes this opportunity great:

We function as a unified global team spanning our private equity and venture capital platforms.

Being part of an international platform means you'll engage and collaborate with team members from Europe and Asia.

Our unique culture appreciates diverse backgrounds and perspectives, while prioritizing teamwork and a robust sense of partnership.

Our team members dedicate their time and skills to create a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

What we look for:

Undergraduate degree, in accounting, finance or similar, from a leading institution.

Ideally 7+ years total work experience.

3+ years of experience in private equity

3+ yeas of experience in consulting

Preferred certified accountant with 3+ years’ experience of transaction support services (ideally in a private equity context). 

Further experience in a private equity portfolio support group, consultancy, service delivery or operational role with PE facing responsibilities.

Solid analytical skills and awareness of the mechanics of financial statements and enterprise value within an M&A context.

Exceptional client service and effective communication skills, with a strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and creativity.

Interpersonal skills to engage positively with internal teams, portfolio executives, and service partners.

Location:

Chicago office based. Regular US-wide travel, as needed (20-25% minimum expectation). 

Hybrid schedule; Monday-Thursday in office, Friday remote opportunity.