Who we are
Our Mission
Build winning companies to deliver superior returns to our investors.
Our strategy
Acquire good businesses and partner with management to drive fundamental improvement.
Our values
- Partnership
- Passion
- Discipline
Our core competencies
- Sourcing
- People
- Evaluation
- Continuous Improvement
Our Firm
- Lean, collaborative team, working directly with Partners and senior management
- Successful track record resulting in exciting growth
- 6 out of 7 current Partners started as associates or Vice Presidents at Sterling
- Resources Group, comprised of subject matter experts in Human Capital, Operations, Commercial, Strategy, Technology, and M&A, are members of deal teams and help drive improvements at portfolio companies
- Hands on investing model resulting in deep engagement with our portfolio companies
Our Culture
- We believe in long term partnership and collaboration
- Relentless, firm-wide commitment to continuous improvement
- We say "we" more than "I"
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Passionate about building winning businesses
The Sterling Group is an operationally focused middle market firm targeted at the industrial sector. Founded in 1982, Sterling is one of the longest standing private equity firms in North America. Today the firm has $5.0 billion in assets under management. Over 75% of realized returns have been driven by organic EBITDA growth as opposed to financial engineering, a result of Sterling’s operational investing style. Sterling’s investor base is comprised by some of the largest and most respected global institutional investors
The Sterling Group is seeking a highly qualified Post MBA candidate to join our growing team of investment professionals. The Vice President will play an integral role in the next phase of Sterling’s success and begin what we hope will be a long-term career with the firm. The Vice President will be provided with the guidance and tools for a Partner track.
Investment Professional Vice President – Role Description:
Hands-on experience transforming companies and leading teams – As a member of Sterling’s investment team, Vice Presidents are deeply involved in the improvement, strategy, and operations of middle market industrial companies. Given Sterling’s strategy and investing style, this is a unique opportunity to be a part of transforming businesses and industries. Vice Presidents will contribute to and eventually lead all key efforts across the investment lifecycle, including investment thesis development, deal evaluation, diligence and execution, strategy development, key value creation initiatives, and exit preparation and execution. Vice Presidents are also actively involved with portfolio company boards with the goal of sitting on boards early in their career.
Operational experience – Vice Presidents are embedded in a portfolio company for a year to gain further operational experience and directly transform the business from the inside. Vice Presidents fill a senior management position, reporting directly to the CEO and work on projects ranging from operational improvements to acquisition integrations.
Personal development programs – Sterling offers an annual stipend towards professional development in addition to a competitive bonus structure and carried interest. Vice Presidents are teamed with one of the Partners as a formal mentor. This is an opportunity to learn from a diverse group of highly successful, but still deeply involved and committed Partners.
Ability to drive growth at Sterling – Vice Presidents help shape the firm’s continuous improvement efforts, best practices, and strategy. Vice Presidents are invited to sit on one or more internal committees which actively shape the growth of the firm. Current committees include Sourcing, Improvement, Deal Evaluation, Human Capital, and ESG.
Job Responsibilities and Qualifications
Primary job responsibilities will include:
Screen new investment opportunities and lead due diligence efforts
Drive transaction evaluation and execution
Collaborate closely with in-house functions such as Human Capital, Sourcing, Strategy, Operations, etc.
Assist in negotiating acquisition and financing documentation
Develop portfolio company strategy alongside management
Lead monthly operational review meetings and engage in quarterly board meetings
Lead internal initiatives and improvement efforts
Manage pre-MBA Associates in day-to-day activities and as part of deal teams
Qualifications include:
MBA from an accredited University
4 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, management consulting, and/or operational experience at a premier industrial company
Experience and/or interest in manufacturing, distribution, and/or industrial markets
Military or other significant leadership experiences are valued
Passion for improving and growing industrial businesses
Demonstrated academic excellence
Self-driven personality
Drive for continuous improvement on both personal and company levels
Personal ties to, or a desire to live in Houston
