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Portfolio Specialist (Private Markets)

Arlington, VA

About Sands Capital:

We are an active, long-term investor in leading innovative businesses globally. Our approach combines analytical rigor and creative thinking to identify high-quality growth businesses that are creating the future. Through an integrated investment platform spanning venture capital, growth equity and public equity, we provide growth capital solutions to institutions and fund sponsors in more than 40 countries (detailed on our website www.sandscapital.com).

Position Summary:

Sands Capital is seeking a mid-level professional to serve as a Portfolio Specialist supporting our private equity strategies, including Global Ventures, Life Sciences Pulse, and Global Innovation. Portfolio Specialists serve as the primary interface between our marketing, client relations, and portfolio management teams. Given their position at the nexus of these three teams, Portfolio Specialists are in the unique and advantaged position of seeing the entire product lifecycle from creation to distribution and are well-positioned to shape the narrative and communication with our external stakeholders.

Portfolio Specialists have five key focus areas: 1) business development and client relations support, 2) promotional and thought leadership content generation, 3) portfolio performance and positioning reporting, 4) portfolio and competitive analysis, and 5) product development and management.

The ideal candidate balances a passion for growth equity investing with a creative mind and a client-oriented perspective.

Work Expectations:

This role is expected to work from our Arlington, Virginia office (HQ) on a hybrid schedule of 2-3 days per week in-office (specifically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) or as directed by your manager, depending on the role and team needs. Please know that the hybrid schedule is subject to change, as directed by our Executive Management Team, at any time.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Innovating and maintaining routine content, including annual reports, case studies, fact sheets, and strategy books;
  • Creating content for conferences, events, and other promotional activities, including presentations and talking points;
  • Crafting press releases to announce key business initiatives and updates;
  • Developing email messages for client relations directors to engage with existing and prospective limited partners;
  • Drafting fundraising documents, including private placement and co-investment memos;
  • Conducting competitive research and analysis on peer performance and external product positioning;
  • Coordinating thought leadership content creation, including articles and podcasts;
  • Leading product teach-ins with client relations team;
  • Sharing portfolio company information, market news, and other relevant items with the client relations team to improve knowledge base;
  • Performing other position responsibilities, as needed; and
  • Exhibiting behaviors consistent with Sands Capital’s Mission, Values, and culture.

Position Qualifications:

  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited university (MBA and/or CFA is a plus);
  • 5-10 years of relevant experience, preferably in the investment management, investment consulting, or wealth management industries;
  • Deep understanding of global capital markets, economics, and industry trends affecting venture capital and growth equity investing;
  • Experience with analytical tools and databases such as PitchBook, FactSet, and eVestment;
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications; and
  • Exhibiting behavior consistent with Sands Capital’s Mission, Values, and culture.

Required Behavioral Characteristics:

Identified below are Behavioral Characteristics that the firm holds in high regard and believes are critical for high performing individuals and teams at Sands Capital: 

  • Having impeccable integrity;
  • Exhibiting superior client service skills (to include both internal and external clients);
  • Exhibiting strong interpersonal skills;
  • Demonstrating a strong work ethic in a fast-paced, professional environment;
  • Operating with a high degree of initiative, self-discipline, and motivation;
  • Being able to collaborate and work effectively as part of a team, while also being able to work independently with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy;
  • Assuming the best of others; and
  • Being motivated by a job well-done.

Specific to the Portfolio Specialist position, below are Behavioral Characteristics we believe are critical for success in the role:

  • Fast learner with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Detail-oriented, highly responsive, and able to work independently.
  • Ability to corral stakeholders with varying opinions and ideas.
  • Assertive and confident. Willingness to express an informed view.
  • Focused on “what matters most” and maximizing ROI of work product. Doesn’t merely take orders; seeks to understand the question behind the question and present the most effective solution.
  • We seek a storyteller, not a reporter.
  • Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Appreciates importance of communicating with reader’s logic vs. writer’s logic.

Sands Capital’s Values:

Identified below are Values the firm holds in high regard and believes are critical for high-performing individuals and teams at Sands Capital:

  • Integrity & Trust: Do what is right, not what is popular. Deliver on commitments.
  • Client-Centered: Always act in the best interest of our clients.
  • Commitment to Excellence: Strive to learn and improve. Implement best practices.
  • Focus: Identify and concentrate on “what matters”.
  • Long-Term Perspective: Appreciate that time allows sound decisions to demonstrate their worth. Avoid short-term thinking.
  • Independent Thinking: Have the courage to develop and articulate your own convictions. Debate others openly and honestly.
  • Teamwork: Collaborate to gather facts, develop perspective, build conviction, and support timely decision-making.
  • Positive “Can-Do” Attitude: Demonstrate a willingness to tackle any task.
  • Graciousness: Reflect kindness and courtesy at all times.
  • Balance: Enjoy your work while balancing professional activities with interests beyond the firm.
  • Meritocracy: Know that talent and achievement will drive your success at Sands Capital.

How to Apply:                                   

To be considered, candidates must submit a resume that specifically outlines your qualifications for the position. If you wish to apply for this position, please do so via Sands Capital Management’s Careers page at http://sandscapital.com/careers/.

Salary and Benefits:

Sands Capital offers competitive compensation and generous benefits. For this role, the salary range is $110k - $150k and will be determined by the candidate’s professional experience and relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities. Base salary is one component of total compensation for this position. Sands Capital may also pay a discretionary, performance-based bonus which is targeted as a percentage of base salary and varies by position and position level. The actual bonus paid, if any, is based on the achievement of quantitative and/ or qualitative goals as well as the success of the firm. 

Sands Capital offers a generous benefits package to include medical insurance (which includes a discount program for vision), dental insurance, life and personal accident insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent), as well as paid holidays (NYSE), vacation, sick, and parental leave.

Sands Capital is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and staff members. For our staff members, equal opportunity includes access to the benefits and privileges that the firm provides to staff members generally. We appreciate the value diversity brings to Sands Capital and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff members.

We evaluate and select qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Discrimination of this kind is also strictly prohibited by a variety of federal, state, and local laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

View the “Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law” poster here and its supplement here.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to pregnant individuals, individuals with disabilities, and/or individuals needing accommodation for sincerely held religious beliefs. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please send an e-mail to emiller@sandscap.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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