Principal, Private Market Valuation

Grade Level (for internal use):

As a market leader in the provision of illiquid portfolio pricing and valuation services, our Private Market Valuation professionals assist clients with the post-trade valuation of alternative investments, specifically debt and equity positions for which active market quotations are not available. Since its inception in 2014, the department has been among the fastest-growing areas within S&P Global. Our teams in London, Dallas, Singapore, and Noida serve over 600 institutional investors and cover investments across the start-up, growth, mature, and distressed stages globally.

The Principal, Private Market Valuation will play a senior role in the execution and oversight of valuation engagements for institutional clients across a broad range of private and illiquid investments. The role requires strong technical valuation expertise, sound judgment, client relationship management, and the ability to lead engagements and develop junior professionals.

The Principal will be responsible for overseeing complex valuation analyses, reviewing deliverables, communicating valuation conclusions to clients and auditors, supporting audit defense, and ensuring engagements are completed accurately and efficiently. The Principal will also contribute to the continued enhancement of valuation methodologies, models, processes, and technology-enabled solutions.

The Principal’s duties include:

• Lead and perform valuations of a broad spectrum of illiquid and complex investments, including private equity, venture-stage equity, senior and subordinated debt, convertible instruments, preferred equity, and complex derivative securities across diverse industries and geographies.
• Apply standard and advanced valuation methodologies in accordance with relevant accounting and valuation frameworks, including ASC 820, IFRS 13, and IPEV guidelines. Methodologies may include discounted cash flow (DCF), guideline public company and precedent transaction approaches, option pricing models (OPM), backsolve analyses, waterfall structures, scenario-based approaches, and other appropriate valuation techniques.
• Serve as the day-to-day engagement lead and primary point of contact for institutional clients, overseeing valuation engagements from initial information gathering and analysis through review and final delivery.
• Lead client discussions to present valuation conclusions, explain key assumptions and valuation drivers, address methodological inquiries, and navigate differing perspectives on complex or judgmental valuation matters.
• Exercise independent judgment on complex valuation matters, identify key valuation considerations and areas of risk, and escalate significant technical or client matters to senior leadership when appropriate.
• Review valuation analyses, financial models, supporting documentation, and written reports prepared by analysts and associates to ensure technical accuracy, methodological consistency, appropriate documentation, and adherence to internal quality standards.
• Lead audit defense efforts by articulating and supporting valuation methodologies, key assumptions, market inputs, calibration approaches, and valuation conclusions in response to auditor inquiries and challenges.
• Mentor and develop junior analysts and associates through ongoing technical guidance, review of work product, coaching, and constructive feedback, helping team members strengthen their technical capabilities and develop independent valuation judgment.
• Contribute to the design, enhancement, and standardization of financial models, valuation tools, methodologies, templates, and processes to improve analytical rigor, consistency, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with senior leadership to build and maintain strong client relationships, support client retention, identify opportunities to expand existing engagements, and contribute to the continued growth of the valuation practice.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to support the collection, organization, and analysis of financial, market, and operational data from structured and unstructured sources, enhancing efficiency and consistency in valuation analysis.
• Utilize machine-learning capabilities and analytical tools, where appropriate, to identify trends and patterns in financial and market data and support forecasting, scenario analysis, and valuation assessments.

S&P Global states that the anticipated base salary range for this position is $91,000 to $135,000. Base salary ranges may vary by geographic location. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible for additional compensation, such as an annual incentive bonus plan. This role is eligible to receive additional S&P Global benefits. For more information on the benefits we provide to our employees, please click.

• CFA charterholder, qualified accountant, or progress toward a relevant professional qualification.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate and support complex valuation conclusions.
• 5+ years experience in valuation, financial advisory, transaction advisory, investment banking, private equity, credit analysis, or a related financial services field, with meaningful exposure to private and illiquid investments.
• Experience managing engagements and interacting directly with institutional clients, auditors, investment professionals, and other senior stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple engagements, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to review the work of junior professionals and provide effective technical guidance, coaching, and feedback.
• Strong experience constructing and reviewing valuation and financial models, including DCF, comparable company, comparable transaction, and credit/debt valuation analyses.
• Strong understanding of valuation principles and relevant fair value frameworks, including ASC 820 and/or IFRS 13.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies, including AI-enabled analytical tools, and an interest in applying technology to improve valuation processes and efficiency.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with working knowledge of Word and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of multiple industry sectors, such as Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Food & Drug Retailing, Healthcare Providers & Services, Software & IT Services, or other relevant sectors.

Right to Work Requirements:

This role is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States.