Principal, Investments Performance Management (Private Equity)

Principal, Investments Performance Management (Private Equity)

Full-Time 90000 - 110000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Capital Dynamics

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the creation of a performance management framework for private equity products.
  • Company: Join Capital Dynamics, a global leader in responsible investment with a diverse workforce.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Be a pioneer in building a new function that drives impactful investment decisions.
  • Qualifications: 8-10 years in quantitative analytics or performance management within private equity.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.

Capital Dynamics is an independent global asset management firm focused on private assets, including private equity (primaries, secondaries and direct investments) and clean energy. Established in 1988, the Firm oversees more than USD 15 billion in assets under management and advisement across offices in Europe, North America and Asia. Capital Dynamics is a recognised industry leader in responsible investment, holding top marks (Five Stars) from PRI across all categories and strategies, and strong GRESB benchmarking results for its clean energy strategy.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Capital Dynamics' Product Development & Solutions (PDS) team leads every product launch on the CD platform and owns several critical strategic initiatives. It's a global, tightly-connected group sitting at the intersection of investment, sales, legal, compliance, structuring and responsible investment. The firm is now creating a third pillar within PDS - a dedicated Performance Management function, alongside product origination and product management - to bring systematic, data-driven rigour to how product performance is monitored and governed. This role is the first hire into that function, and you will build it. You'll own the design and delivery of a comprehensive performance management framework across the entire CD product platform - formalising how each product is tracked against its target return, catching risks and opportunities early, and giving the Performance Management Committee, investment teams and senior leadership the structured insight they need to act. There is no existing infrastructure to inherit and no team to manage: this is a hands-on, individual-contributor role for someone who wants to architect a capability from first principles. You'll bring deep private markets experience - ideally within private equity funds - and the commercial maturity to act as a credible governance partner to investment teams: someone who can design robust oversight frameworks, interpret fund performance data with authority, and earn the trust of senior investment professionals as the function takes shape.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

  • Build the Framework: Take ownership of Capital Dynamics' Performance Management Framework end-to-end, the programme that tracks every product against its target return, underpinned by formal performance models and defined annual milestones. Design and build the processes, workflows and analytical tools that underpin the function, as its builder and owner. Develop and maintain a quarterly health-check analytical engine, automating the capture of NAV, liquidity, milestone-tracking and return-attribution data across every fund. Architect the performance dashboards and committee reporting tools that translate complex model outputs into clear, decision-ready materials for the Performance Management Committee and senior leadership.
  • Analyse and Advise: Embed annual milestones and quarterly performance guidance across every product, working directly with investment teams to operationalise the framework. Monitor fund performance against target-return models, surfacing deviations early with data-backed analysis and proposed remediation pathways. Track liquidity facility utilisation and NAV exposure across the platform, building automated alerts and risk dashboards for proactive portfolio management. Build fund return forecast models and performance attribution frameworks, decomposing product-level returns against target profiles by vintage and strategy. Prepare structured, auditable materials for the Performance Management Committee, with every analytical output traceable to clearly documented methodology.
  • Partner and Translate: Act as the firm's internal analytical authority on fund performance data - translating quantitative output into commercially relevant narrative for investment teams, senior leadership and the Committee. Partner with Finance, IR and Product Development on performance data requirements for LP reporting, DDQ responses and fundraising materials. Leverage internal data systems and emerging AI tools to improve the quality and efficiency of performance monitoring, keeping a forward-looking view on how technology will reshape the function.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

  • Experience: 8-10 years in a quantitative analytics, data science or portfolio performance management role within private equity, private markets, or an adjacent financial services environment. A demonstrable track record of designing and building performance measurement or analytics infrastructure in a private markets or investment management context. Prior exposure to PE fund structures, GP/LP dynamics and fund-level financial data - capital calls, distributions, NAV statements, cash-flow histories. Experience within a PE fund manager, fund-of-funds, secondaries manager, infrastructure fund or institutional investor with a meaningful private markets allocation.
  • Skills & Attributes: Strong financial modelling capability, with proven ability to build and interrogate fund return forecast models and performance attribution frameworks. Ability to translate complex performance data into clear, structured narrative for committee and senior leadership audiences. Strong working knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) techniques applicable to performance monitoring, anomaly detection, or predictive analytics in a private markets context. Experience with data visualisation, including the use of AI tools to support performance management. Advanced proficiency in Python and/or R and/or Matlab for data analysis, modelling and automation.
  • Education & Qualifications: Degree in a quantitative discipline - Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Finance or Economics (2:1 or above, or international equivalent). CFA Charterholder, or meaningful progress toward the CFA designation. CAIA or an equivalent private markets qualification.
  • Language: Fluent in English with superior writing skills. Proficiency in another European language - German, French or Italian preferred - is desirable but not essential.

Our Equal Opportunity Commitment: Capital Dynamics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a global diverse workforce. We are a global company with 24 nationalities represented across our staff in 14 offices, spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. We believe diversity and inclusion ("D&I") is key to being better at what we do, and our initiatives are designed to attract, develop, and advance talented individuals, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, disability status or any other dimension of diversity. We welcome and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply to join Capital Dynamics. Please inform our recruitment team if you have a disability, condition or difference that may require us to make any adjustments as part of your application process or during employment.

Disclaimer: Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are only able to contact candidates who have been shortlisted for further consideration. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of submitting your application, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We appreciate the time you have taken to apply and encourage you to monitor our careers page for future opportunities.

Principal, Investments Performance Management (Private Equity) employer: Capital Dynamics

Join a prestigious US law firm renowned for its elite investment funds practice, where you will have the opportunity to work alongside top-tier professionals in a collaborative and dynamic environment. The firm offers competitive remuneration, a strong focus on professional development, and the chance to mentor junior lawyers, all while being based in the vibrant city of London, known for its rich legal heritage and diverse culture. This role not only promises meaningful work with prominent clients but also fosters a culture of excellence and growth.

Capital Dynamics

Contact Details:

Capital Dynamics Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal, Investments Performance Management (Private Equity)

Get Involved in Finance Communities

Join investment and asset management forums or local finance meetups. Engaging with professionals in these circles can not only help you learn the ropes but also put you in touch with potential employers like Capital Dynamics, who often scout for talent at such events.

Utilise Networking Platforms

Connect with professionals already working in asset management on platforms like LinkedIn. A personal message showing your interest in their role or asking for advice can lead to significant connections that might tip the scales in your favour at companies like Capital Dynamics.

Show Off Your Financial Skills

Consider contributing to investment blogs or even creating your own content. Sharing your insights and analyses can demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the industry, making you stand out when applying for roles at organisations like Capital Dynamics.

Engage with Recruitment Events

Attend finance recruitment fairs and expos. These events are perfect for making a strong impression with recruiters and potentially securing interviews. Many companies, including Capital Dynamics, attend these events to scout for fresh talent, so make sure you stand out with your enthusiasm and knowledge!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal, Investments Performance Management (Private Equity)

Quantitative Analytics
Data Science
Portfolio Performance Management
Financial Modelling
Performance Measurement Infrastructure
Private Equity Fund Structures
NAV Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In asset management, it's all about the numbers! Make sure your CV showcases your analytical skills, particularly any experience with financial modelling or quantitative analysis. Employers like Capital Dynamics want to see how you can dissect data and turn it into actionable insights, so don't hold back on your achievements!

Show Off Your Relevant Qualifications:Having the right qualifications can be a game changer in investment roles. If you've got a degree in finance, economics, or a related field, flaunt it! Also, if you have any certifications like CFA or CAIA, mention those too. It’ll help demonstrate your commitment and expertise in the field to Capital Dynamics.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Reflect Passion for Investment:Your cover letter is your chance to express your enthusiasm for the investment world. Share why you're drawn to asset management and your understanding of market trends. The hiring team at Capital Dynamics will be keen to see that passion and how you keep up with industry news and developments.

Quantify Your Achievements:Don’t just tell them what you did - show them! When detailing your previous experience, include quantifiable achievements to illustrate your impact. Whether it’s percentage growth on a portfolio or cost savings in a project, these figures will help your application stand out to Capital Dynamics. Numbers speak louder than words!

How to prepare for a job interview at Capital Dynamics

Brush Up on Financial Modelling

For a role in investment asset management, being well-versed in financial modelling is crucial. Make sure you can articulate your experience with tools like Excel or any specialised software you've used. Maybe even prepare a couple of examples of financial models you've built or analysed.

Know Your Investment Strategies

Expect questions around different investment strategies and how you would apply them in various market scenarios. Get ready to discuss current market trends and how they impact portfolio management. This shows you're not just about the theory but also keeping an eye on real-world applications.

Show Your Analytical Skills

Since this is a full-time role, companies like Capital Dynamics want to see your analytical thinking in action. Prepare to solve case studies or tackle some numerical puzzles during the interview. Practicing these types of questions will boost your confidence and show off your skills.

Discuss Your Long-Term Career Goals

As you’re applying for a full-time position, the interviewers will be interested in your commitment to the field. Be ready to discuss how this role fits into your long-term career plans in asset management. This shows you're not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely interested in growing withCapital Dynamics.