Associate, Portfolio Services, 2027

Application Deadline: 1 October 2026

Department: Portfolio Services & Commercial Excellence

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chicago, IL

Compensation: $100,000 / year

Description

Private Equity Consulting

Advance your career at the intersection of private equity, strategy, and data-driven problem solving. At IGS, Associates work directly on high-stakes investment and growth strategy engagements across industries, taking on early responsibility, senior client exposure, and rapid professional development in a collaborative, high-performance environment.

• Start Date: Summer or Fall 2027
• Eligibility: Seniors graduating December 2026 through June 2027
• Practice Areas: Portfolio Services & Commercial Excellence
• Work Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid with light travel, 1-2 times per month)

APPLICATION REVIEW TIMELINEWe review applications in batches rather than on a rolling basis. Applications received by August 31 will be reviewed in September, and applications received by September 30 will be reviewed in October. Candidates selected to move forward will be contacted after each review period. Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected to move forward in the interview process will be contacted.

Role Overview

As an Associate on our Portfolio Services & Commercial Excellence team, you'll play a critical role on case teams: designing and building key analytical workstreams, running AI-enabled and quantitative models, validating outputs, and producing the data-driven foundation that client deliverables are built on. Associates work closely with Consultants to translate analysis into client-ready content.

You'll contribute to GTM, pricing, and growth strategies across industries and portfolio company situations, bridging quantitative market research with strategic recommendations that improve clients' commercial performance. Associates own discrete workstreams end to end: research design, data analysis, synthesis of findings, and communicating insights to clients.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIESCandidates should have exceptional research and analytical experience. Candidates should be interested in:

• Conducting market assessments, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis to inform client strategies
• Designing and implementing sales and marketing alignment plans, channel strategies, and customer engagement models
• Owning and designing analytical workstreams and translating findings into clear, client-ready slide content in collaboration with Consultants and Engagement Managers
• Collecting, procuring and organizing data inputs for AI-based models and quantitative analysis
• Run key analytics and AI models; validate outputs for accuracy and quality
• Maintaining structured data documentation and version control for all analytical assets
• Building charts, visualizations, and data exhibits to clearly communicate analytical findings
• Conducting quality validation on all analytical work before submission up the project chain
• Building foundational knowledge in CE domains through project exposure and self-directed learning
• Partnering directly with client C-suite teams, with opportunities to present findings and help drive meaningful business change
• Assuming a high level of responsibility on client teams as well as within the firm
• Working in a dynamic and hybrid environment
• Working and living in Chicago (the IGS Portfolio Services & Commercial Excellence team is a consulting "travel-lite" organization; we travel for client work as requested or necessary, typically one to two times per month)

Qualifications

WHAT WE LOOK FORInterests & Mindset
We seek candidates who are intellectually curious, driven, and excited about working in a collaborative environment, with interests in:

• Private equity, growth strategy, and commercialization topics
• Assessing investment and growth opportunities for private equity firms and corporate clients
• Gaining an in-depth understanding of a wide variety of industries
• Intellectual curiosity and a desire to build expertise in commercial strategy and analytics
• Detail-oriented with high standards for data accuracy and analytical rigor
• Conducting primary and secondary research to better understand markets
• Creating complex analyses to answer clients' key questions

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Pursuing bachelor's degree is required; a focus in economics, business, finance, or a quantitative field is a plus
• Prior consulting experience or portfolio operations internship experience is a plus
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, project-based environment with multiple concurrent deadlines
• Strong academic record (GPA 3.5+ preferred)
• Strong proficiency in Excel; familiarity with Python, SQL, or BI tools a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, and PowerPoint
• Exceptional research and analytical experience
• Quick learner, self-starter, and hands-on contributor
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data into actionable insights
• Very strong data analytics skills and capabilities (familiarity with statistical modeling, programming, etc.)
• Strong ability to navigate financial statements, including the ability to build pro-forma P&Ls
• Comfort with ambiguity and tight timelines
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to synthesize insights into clear, actionable recommendations
• Working knowledge of AI tools is preferred

What Defines a Successful Candidate

• Intellectual curiosity and hypothesis-driven thinking to identify the best research and data to answer clients' questions
• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality output in a fast-paced, collaborative setting
• Ability to work directly with senior management and private equity clients

Benefits & Additional Information

• Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Unlimited time off and company holidays
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship
• Collaborative, collegial work environment

Compensation

• Pay expected for the position: $100,000 USD annually
• Pay is issued on a semi-monthly basis
• IGS also offers an annual discretionary bonus tied to individual and company performance, along with a comprehensive benefits package and a potential starting bonus

Additional Information

IGS has four U.S. offices located in Boston, MA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; and San Francisco, CA. This role will be based in the Chicago office, with opportunities to explore other locations as you gain experience at the firm.