Principal, HGPS Product Specialist

Job Description Summary

For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.

In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.

We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement, which translates to 3 days minimum per week in the office. There will also be the need for global travel.

About the role:

Principal, HGPS Product Specialist will work to drive the growth of HGPS, HarbourVest’s evergreen direct and secondary private equity solution, available to private wealth and institutional investors outside of the US. Responsibilities include working alongside Investor Relations to facilitate new business wins, identifying capability builds that cross-functionally improve the product and identifying adjacencies for new product development. This individual will be responsible for educating and engaging with the global Private Client and Investor Relations teams and other internal partners; making pitches to clients and prospects; performing in-depth competitive analysis and supervising and enhancing product presentation materials and written product content.

The ideal candidate is someone who has:

• A strong understanding of private market evergreen vehicles and a deep knowledge of private equity and the private wealth market.
• Excellent presentation and client engagement skills with the ability to tailor information based on the audience.
• Strong relationship management skills to partner closely with fellow HarbourVest Investment and Investor Relations professionals, as well as external prospects and clients.
• Strong investment and analytical competence.
• Strong written skills.
• A high level of maturity and ability to multi-task with little supervision.
• An entrepreneurial approach with an ability to be forward-thinking and work without a playbook.
• A desire for travel.
• An understanding of the investment process.
•  A strong understanding of quantitative investment measurements and statistical tools.
   

What you will do:
 

External responsibilities:

•  Support sales, by bringing in-depth vehicle and market expertise to prospect meetings.
• Support the Investor Relations teams in their discussions with private wealth prospects, clients, distribution partners and institutional investors. Demonstrate deep knowledge of the market, product, HarbourVest’s capabilities, solution and differentiation.
• Take into account the broader picture; engage externally around a broad range of business and investment topics. Speak with nuance around the investment landscape, client portfolio and market outlook.
• Display creativity and problem solving in proposing solutions to client challenges. Consider the wider business implications and context (complexity, operational impact) in discussions that will result in the optimal outcome for HarbourVest.
• Deep understanding of key competitors, fundraising and industry trends.
   

Internal product management responsibilities:

• Engage with the Private Client and Investor Relations teams to collect feedback from the market. Synthesize market feedback and competitive intelligence and apply it to product evolution and content development.
• Project manage the sales opportunity set and go-to-market strategy. Act as liaison point for all collective sales efforts, organised across various regional teams for the product.
• Partner with the Investor Relations team to serve as the main point of contact to arrange calls/ meetings, follow-ups, comprehensive investment knowledge, identity and address concerns and provide guidance through diligence.
• Educate the Private Client and Investor Relations teams on the product and strategy.
• Oversee and lead the development and enhancement of product marketing content including presentations, factsheets, webcast materials, client update materials, and written communications.
• Be responsible for and own the development and improvement of product RFPs, written collateral, portfolio updates and client responses to ensure the quality of submissions.
• Review and sign-off on client reporting.
• Lead all aspects of the development and improvement of all internal product materials including competitor analysis, internal talking points and internal fundraising updates.
   

Education Preferred:
 

Strong academic and professional credentials. MBA and / or CFA preferred, but not required.
 

Experience:
 

15+ years of investment or product roles with a client service orientation. Must have a blend of product leadership, investment capabilities and commercial sense. Relevant backgrounds include product specialist for liquid products, investment banking, equity analyst, consulting or transaction services experience.