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Portfolio Specialist (Alternatives)

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/senior-level professional to serve as a portfolio specialist supporting our alternatives platform. 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.

We’re seeking a self-starter who can not only deliver on existing priorities, but also bring the structure, leadership, and initiative needed to scale and formalize the portfolio specialist function for our alternatives platform—often without a predefined playbook.

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

Work Expectations:  

The work location for this role is Sands Capital’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia on a hybrid schedule of three days per week in-office (including Tuesdays and Wednesdays), or more as directed by your manager. The hybrid schedule is subject to change at any time.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Innovating and maintaining routine content, including annual reports, case studies, fact sheets, investment memos, 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 and refining fundraising documents.
  • Conducting competitive research and analysis on peer performance and external product positioning.
  • Coordinating thought leadership content creation, including articles, podcasts, and webcasts.
  • 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.
  • Exhibiting behaviors consistent with Sands Capital’s Mission, Values, and culture.

Position Qualifications:

  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited university; MBA, CAIA, and/or CFA preferred.
  • 8+ years of relevant experience, preferably within investment management, investment consulting, or wealth management.
  • Deep understanding of global capital markets, economics, and trends shaping venture capital and growth equity investing.
  • Fast learner with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and precision—these are baseline expectations.
  • Self-starter with the ability to align diverse stakeholders and independently execute against strategic priorities without step-by-step direction.
  • Confident and assertive communicator with the judgement to offer an informed view.
  • Creative thinker and compelling storyteller; not just a summarizer of information.
  • Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with a focus on reader-oriented clarity.
  • Experience with analytical tools and databases such as PitchBook, FactSet, and eVestment.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications.

Required Behavioral Characteristics:

The following 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 (both internally and externally).
  • 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.
  • Being motivated by a job well-done.

Sands Capital’s Values:

The following are values that 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, you 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’s Careers page under “Professional Opportunities”. You may also scroll to “FAQs” to learn more about what you can expect before applying, to include information regarding length of process and any skills assessments that may be required. 

Apply here: https://www.sandscapital.com/careers-and-staff-benefits/

Salary and Benefits:

The compensation for this role includes a base salary range of $125,000 to $175,000 (as determined by the candidate’s professional experience and relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities), as well as a discretionary, performance-based bonus. Bonus targets may vary by position and are based on both individual achievement as well as broader firm performance. Compensation may be adjusted commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Sands Capital offers a generous benefits package, including medical insurance (which includes a discount vision program), dental insurance, life and personal accident insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent) as well as paid stock market (NYSE) holidays and vacation, sick, and parental leave. We also have a variety of generous miscellaneous benefits, such as a medical concierge service, health and wellness coaches, personal finance support, onsite massage therapy, and more.

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.

Read more about equal employment opportunity on the EEOC’s website, found 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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