"Investment Associate"

Position Summary

Rice University's endowment, valued at approximately $8 billion, is ranked in the top 20 endowments of private research universities (by market value) in the US. The endowment is critical to the university's ability to achieve its goals; the annual distribution funds nearly half of the university's annual operating budget. The Rice Management Company (RMC) is responsible for asset allocation, the selection and termination of investment managers, performance monitoring, and reporting to the Rice Management Company Board of Directors. The goal of the RMC is to provide a stable source of funding for current university operations and to preserve & grow the purchasing power of the endowment to benefit future generations of students. The endowment primarily utilizes outside investment managers and invests globally across all asset classes.

We are seeking an Investment Associate dedicated to Private Equity and Venture Capital, with responsibilities spanning due diligence, market research, manager evaluation, co-investment analysis, and portfolio monitoring. This role offers a rich set of learning opportunities across the full investment lifecycle, from sourcing and due diligence to portfolio monitoring and strategic research. As part of a close-knit and highly collaborative investment team, you will gain meaningful exposure to the broader endowment portfolio and contribute to investment decisions and portfolio-wide initiatives that shape the university's long-term outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a high-performing and intellectually curious with a strong academic background and a passion for investing in private markets, particularly across private equity and venture capital. They have experience with investment databases and analytics platforms, such as Bloomberg, PitchBook, Preqin, or Power BI, and a desire to pursue professional designations, including the CFA or CAIA. The candidate demonstrates excellent analytical and quantitative skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to synthesize complex information into clear investment insights and materials. A motivated self-starter, they communicate effectively, work well both independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and are flexible in contributing beyond core responsibilities. Interest or experience in technology, data analytics, or applied AI is a plus. Must have a strong commitment to integrity, accountability, and a positive, mission-driven team culture.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person at the Morningside location. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.*

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 2 years of related experience as an analyst at a consulting firm, investment bank, or investment firm

Skills:

• Advanced Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Strong understanding of investment principles and financial metrics
• Strong technical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to execute complex financial analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; the ability to communicate effectively with senior management and investment professionals
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and on a collaborative basis as part of a team
• Accuracy, attention to detail, ability to multitask, and organizational skills
• Self-motivated with a passion for learning about investments & supporting the work of a university endowment

Preferences

• Strong passion for investing with a deep interest in private markets and emerging opportunities across PE and VC.
• Experience working with industry databases and analytics platforms e.g., Bloomberg, PitchBook, Preqin, or Power BI
• Background or interest in technology, data analytics, or applied AI/coding

Essential Functions

• Monitor existing private equity and venture capital investments, reviewing exposures, performance drivers, valuations, and risk factors.
• Contribute to periodic reporting, analytics packages, and performance attribution for internal leadership and RMC's Board.
• Support sourcing, screening, and evaluating private equity, venture capital, and growth equity managers.
• Assist in evaluating co-investment opportunities, including company fundamentals, financial analysis, and sector analysis.
• Conduct due diligence, prepare materials for internal investment discussions, and assist in forming investment recommendations.
• Analyze industry trends, emerging sectors, competitive dynamics, and capital formation in private markets.
• Engage with GPs, portfolio companies, and other market participants to identify opportunities.
• Develop frameworks for comparing strategies across buyout, VC, growth, sector-focused, and emerging managers.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application.