Senior Direct Private Investment Associate

About the role

The Direct Private Investment Associate will source, analyze and execute investments in private companies and non‑listed securities, focusing on pre‑IPO, growth‑stage and secondary market opportunities within Santander's U.S. private banking platform.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement an end‑to‑end framework for direct investment opportunities, covering sourcing, evaluation, product structuring, execution workflows, governance and reporting.
• Define the target universe of investments such as late‑stage growth companies, unicorns and dual‑track IPO candidates, and establish eligibility criteria, concentration limits and exit strategies.
• Develop scalable operating processes for onboarding, execution, custody, valuation and lifecycle management of direct investments.
• Source proprietary pre‑IPO and secondary market opportunities through relationships with secondary platforms, venture capital and growth equity firms, investment banks and private placement agents.
• Evaluate primary versus secondary opportunities, negotiate terms, pricing and allocations, and manage issuer consent, shareholder agreements and transfer restrictions.
• Lead comprehensive due‑diligence and investment analysis, ensuring disciplined risk assessment, transaction structuring and regulatory compliance.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in secondary private markets, pre‑IPO investments and transaction execution.
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to engage ultra‑high‑net‑worth and high‑net‑worth investors.
• Proven ability to build and lead a new business line within a private banking platform.
• Excellent understanding of governance, regulatory requirements and risk management in private equity transactions.

Required skills

• Deep knowledge of private market platforms, venture capital and growth equity ecosystems.
• Expertise in deal structuring, valuation and lifecycle management of private company equity.
• Advanced analytical and due‑diligence capabilities.