Summer 2025 MBA Private Equity Internship

Firm Overview:

Ariel Alternatives, LLC is a private asset management firm affiliated with Ariel Investments, LLC. Ariel Alternatives is an enterprise newly conceived for the times and built on a four-decade-old foundation. We are on a mission to scale sustainable, market-leading, minority-owned businesses in high growth sectors, to solve Fortune 500 vendor diversity pain points while driving attractive private equity returns.

Co-Founders Leslie Brun and Mellody Hobson share a desire to make a positive impact by investing in the world they want to see. Every individual on the team - at all levels - plays a role that is critical to our firm’s success. We seek subject matter experts who are unapologetically themselves. We encourage our teammates to reach their full potential and give them the runway, support, and resources to succeed.

Ariel celebrates diversity and practices inclusion as a way to get work done – it’s in our DNA. As an equal opportunity employer, our employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, parental status, mental or physical disability, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Ariel is committed to recruiting and retaining talented applicants, and to providing all employees with a workplace free from discrimination and/or harassment.

For more information, please visit https://www.arielalternatives.com/.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated MBA Intern to support all aspects of the private equity investment process. Responsibilities include supporting the team with deal sourcing, underwriting, executing platform and add-on acquisitions, structuring and implementing value creation strategies. In addition, this role involves collaborating across functions to help deliver on the firm’s unified vision.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a history of leadership and a desire to work in a fast-paced, lean environment. We are an entrepreneurial, expanding firm, offering clear career progression path for strong performers. The firm maintains an inclusive and collaborative culture, and the new hire will have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping it.

This position is based in our New York City office.

Responsibilities:

• Deal Sourcing and Screening: Support efforts to identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities
• Investment Analysis: Conduct rigorous financial analysis, market research and strategic assessments to support informed investment decision-making
• Transaction Due Diligence: Collaborate with senior investment professionals to conduct thorough due diligence, encompassing financial, commercial, operational and legal assessments
• Investment Committee Support: Assist in preparing detailed investment memoranda and participate in investment committee meetings, providing analytical support
• Portfolio Company Management: Help manage and monitor portfolio companies, supporting add-on acquisitions, corporate finance activities, operational initiatives and quarterly valuations, among others
• Marketing and Communication: Contribute to developing marketing materials and communications for limited partners, co-investors, debt providers and other relevant stakeholders
• Ad-Hoc Projects: Assist with projects related to marketing and limited partner communications as needed
• Culture: Make a positive impact by being a supportive team member and effective project manager, fostering a cooperative and supportive work environment

Qualifications:

Experience:

• High performer with 18 to 24 months prior relevant work experience in private equity
• Experience in B2B supply chain sectors such as financial services, professional services, business process outsourcing, IT services, or energy/utility services is preferred but not required

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree demonstrating superior academic performance; all majors considered
• Currently obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Strong grounding in accounting, finance, capital markets and quantitative analysis
• Proficiency in building and interpreting complex financial models, including mastery of three-statement financial modeling
• Solid understanding of debt and equity capital structures
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint

Attributes:

• Highly motivated with a strong passion for investing
• Committed to social impact and diversity initiatives
• Team-oriented yet capable of independent work
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple deadlines
• Organized, detail-oriented and adept at multitasking

Key Characteristics:

• Strong Work Ethic: Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to responsibilities, taking ownership of projects but also asking for help as needed; requires minimal supervision
• Intellectual Curiosity: Exhibits a desire for continuous learning and poses insightful questions
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Identifies opportunities for value creation and embraces new challenges
• Collaborative Mindset: Works well within teams, contributing positively to a culture of inclusion and collective problem-solving
• High Standards of Integrity and Ethical Conduct: Maintains ethical behavior and acts with integrity in all professional responsibilities

Compliance:

Ariel employees, including the incumbent(s) in this position, are required to: (1) read and strictly adhere to all compliance policies and procedures of the various Ariel entities, as applicable; and (2) work together with their colleagues, including the CCO, to resolve compliance issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Diversity:

Ariel celebrates diversity and practices inclusion as a way to get work done – it’s in our DNA. As an equal opportunity employer, employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, parental status (including pregnancy), disability, perceived disability, veteran status, status of military discharge, or any other basis under federal, state, or local law. Ariel prohibits discrimination against an applicant or employee because of their actual or perceived protected characteristic(s), and is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing a diverse group of talented applicants, and to providing employees with a workplace free from discrimination and/or harassment.

Equal employment opportunity takes place in all employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, and termination. The firm seeks to uphold an inclusive culture where diversity is recognized and valued. As such, Ariel provides employees a robust benefits package that includes:

• Coverage for same-sex partner (domestic or spouse)
• Coverage for children (natural born, step, adopted or foster)
• Fully paid medical insurance that covers fertility treatments, gender affirmation
• Employer contributions to a Health Savings Account
• Maternity leave at 100% pay (12 weeks)
• Paid Parental Leave (up to 12 weeks depending on tenure)

Lastly, all employees have access to Ariel-sponsored educational, training, and recreational activities.