Principal, Direct/Secondary Investments DACH, Zurich, Switzerland

About our clientOur client is a leading European investment platform seeking to appoint a Principal to join its investment team in Zurich and play a key role in the continued development of its direct and co-investment strategy across DACH.With a deep and diversified capital base - including an existing fund and a new vintage currently being raised - the platform has broad investment capabilities. Its particular edge lies in its ability to co-invest alongside other sponsors across both primary and secondary transactions, typically acquiring 40–55% stakes through co-control structures. This enables the team to partner with leading GPs on high-quality assets while maintaining meaningful influence over the investment and its future development. The investment universe is focused on lower mid-market companies with EBITDA of €10–50Mio and deliberately concentrated on resilient, non-cyclical and relatively CapEx-light sectors, including: Healthcare, Education and Business Services.The successful candidate will join an entrepreneurial team and will be expected to take significant ownership of the investment process, from sourcing and origination - mostly via Advisors and directly from GPs rather than competitive auction processes, through to execution and portfolio management. This is a senior investment role suited to an individual who has independently sourced and led transactions, and is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy.What the job involvesOriginate and develop direct secondary, midlife and co-investment opportunities through relationships with GPs and other market participantsIndependently lead transactions from initial assessment through due diligence, structuring, negotiation and executionLead discussions with incumbent GPs, management teams, advisors and other stakeholdersStructure co-control investments and negotiate shareholder agreements alongside incumbent sponsorsContribute to the continued development of the firm's direct investment strategy and sourcing network. Support and mentor Associates and Analysts within the teamWho we are looking forDemonstrable track record of independently leading and executing transactions across DACH, especially in in lower mid-marketStrong German market fluency and an established network within the German-speaking private equity ecosystem, alongside a genuinely international mindset and European perspectiveMaturity and confidence to operate autonomously while working collaboratively with senior colleagues and junior team members #J-18808-Ljbffr