Private Equity Jobs in Illinois
Private Equity jobs in Illinois are concentrated in one of the most active private markets in the country, with the bulk of activity anchored in Chicago's financial district and extending to Evanston and Naperville for fund administration and portfolio monitoring roles. Major firms with lasting Illinois roots, including Madison Dearborn Partners, GTCR, and Clearlake Capital's Chicago operations, hire across deal execution, portfolio management, and investor relations. The most in-demand specialties are leveraged buyout analysis, healthcare and industrial sector investing, and fund accounting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Northern Trust
As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.
Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.
With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Department Overview:
Private Capital Administration provides third-party clients with comprehensive administration, financial accounting, and investor reporting services for their funds. Fund products supported include venture capital, buyout, mezzanine, life sciences, secondaries, fund of funds. Services include assistance with investment and divestment execution, investor drawdown and distributions, financial reporting and investor reporting.
Working Model: Hybrid
We have a balanced hybrid working model to ensure you get the flexibility you need, and the successful candidate will spend their time between working in the office and working from home.
Job Description:
Operates under general supervision but works on own most of the time. Candidate will serve on large and/or complex projects as requested. Must be technically competent to act as first point of reference for day-to-day queries while serving as a liaison to related areas. Have both broad and in-depth knowledge in chosen field, plus strong knowledge of related areas. Carries out relatively complex, extensive, high-profile activities e.g. direct interaction with committees and more senior management. Demonstrates excellent analytical, consultative and communication and judgment skills. May lead projects and/or train lower-level staff. Focus on maintenance and implementation of policies and procedures in the function while building towards becoming a stronger area expert.
Major Duties:
- Responsible for performing a variety of accounting, analytical, & financial reporting duties ensuring client and investor activity reporting is prepared and completed appropriately.
- Serves as a technical accounting expert without management responsibilities and is seen as a subject matter expert and key advisor on significant business/accounting decisions to team and partners.
- Assists in preparing, compiling, and verifying external client and regulatory reporting.
- Prepares financial information for stockholders/investor reports.
- Researches and assists in interpreting the impact of recent accounting developments in the division. Disseminates findings to manager and other partners involved.
- Communicates with partners to resolve discrepancies or provide assistance on accounting or disclosure issues.
- Conducts special analysis and projects as assigned and prepares reports of detailed findings for management review.
- Helps train and monitor performance of team members, co-workers and client deliverables.
Knowledge/Skills:
- This position is technical and service oriented. Knowledge of private equity accounting normally acquired through a four year degree program or related work experience is required to perform private equity administration, financial accounting and reporting duties.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory reporting usually acquired through related work experience is necessary to prepare reports.
- Analytical skills and problem solving skills are necessary to utilize financial data and prepare reports.
- The ideal candidate must have strong personal computer skills and be well acquainted with Microsoft Excel, as they are required to prepare financial reports and to utilize on-line and mainframe systems.
- Experience with Investran preferred.
- #LI-GG1
- #LI-Hybrid
Qualifications - External
- 3-4 years of private equity accounting experience with a related business degree is a must with a minimum of 3 years client servicing or related experience. We are looking for individuals who have the ability to work effectively in a team environment, exhibiting initiative, leadership, and flexibility.
- The ideal candidate will have a formal education in accounting and/or related business degree, CPA accreditation, understand the complexities of the private equity markets via their past work experience and have experience with Investran and MS Suite of Systems (Excel/Access/Word) (intermediate/advanced level)
Salary Range:
$74,700 - 126,900 USDSalary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).
Working with Us
As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.
Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.
Reasonable Accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
About Northern Trust
As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.
Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.
With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Department Overview:
Private Capital Administration provides third-party clients with comprehensive administration, financial accounting, and investor reporting services for their funds. Fund products supported include venture capital, buyout, mezzanine, life sciences, secondaries, fund of funds. Services include assistance with investment and divestment execution, investor drawdown and distributions, financial reporting and investor reporting.
Working Model: Hybrid
We have a balanced hybrid working model to ensure you get the flexibility you need, and the successful candidate will spend their time between working in the office and working from home.
Job Description:
Operates under general supervision but works on own most of the time. Candidate will serve on large and/or complex projects as requested. Must be technically competent to act as first point of reference for day-to-day queries while serving as a liaison to related areas. Have both broad and in-depth knowledge in chosen field, plus strong knowledge of related areas. Carries out relatively complex, extensive, high-profile activities e.g. direct interaction with committees and more senior management. Demonstrates excellent analytical, consultative and communication and judgment skills. May lead projects and/or train lower-level staff. Focus on maintenance and implementation of policies and procedures in the function while building towards becoming a stronger area expert.
Major Duties:
- Responsible for performing a variety of accounting, analytical, & financial reporting duties ensuring client and investor activity reporting is prepared and completed appropriately.
- Serves as a technical accounting expert without management responsibilities and is seen as a subject matter expert and key advisor on significant business/accounting decisions to team and partners.
- Assists in preparing, compiling, and verifying external client and regulatory reporting.
- Prepares financial information for stockholders/investor reports.
- Researches and assists in interpreting the impact of recent accounting developments in the division. Disseminates findings to manager and other partners involved.
- Communicates with partners to resolve discrepancies or provide assistance on accounting or disclosure issues.
- Conducts special analysis and projects as assigned and prepares reports of detailed findings for management review.
- Helps train and monitor performance of team members, co-workers and client deliverables.
Knowledge/Skills:
- This position is technical and service oriented. Knowledge of private equity accounting normally acquired through a four year degree program or related work experience is required to perform private equity administration, financial accounting and reporting duties.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory reporting usually acquired through related work experience is necessary to prepare reports.
- Analytical skills and problem solving skills are necessary to utilize financial data and prepare reports.
- The ideal candidate must have strong personal computer skills and be well acquainted with Microsoft Excel, as they are required to prepare financial reports and to utilize on-line and mainframe systems.
- Experience with Investran preferred.
- #LI-GG1
- #LI-Hybrid
Qualifications - External
- 3-4 years of private equity accounting experience with a related business degree is a must with a minimum of 3 years client servicing or related experience. We are looking for individuals who have the ability to work effectively in a team environment, exhibiting initiative, leadership, and flexibility.
- The ideal candidate will have a formal education in accounting and/or related business degree, CPA accreditation, understand the complexities of the private equity markets via their past work experience and have experience with Investran and MS Suite of Systems (Excel/Access/Word) (intermediate/advanced level)
Salary Range:
$74,700 - 126,900 USDSalary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).
Working with Us
As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.
Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.
Reasonable Accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
See All 14 Private Equity Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Private Equity JobsPrivate Equity Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Private Equity Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in private equity jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related quantitative field
- Experience with financial modeling, LBO analysis, and valuation in a professional setting
- Prior background in investment banking, management consulting, or corporate finance
- CFA designation or active progress toward charterholder status strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate deal flow, conduct due diligence, and write investment memos
- Proficiency with Excel-based financial models, data rooms, and deal pipeline management tools
Private Equity Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a private equity in Illinois?
Most private equity roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or accounting, and the vast majority of entry-level analysts come from investment banking or management consulting programs. Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work in private equity. Earning the CFA charter strengthens candidacy considerably. Chicago is the primary hiring market, with most firms recruiting through structured analyst programs or lateral hiring from bulge-bracket and regional banks.
Which companies hire private equitys in Illinois?
Illinois private equity roles are posted by Alvarez & Marsal, Thrive, and Salesforce and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's concentration of mid-market and growth equity firms makes Illinois one of the deepest private equity hiring pools outside of New York.
Which Illinois cities have the most private equity jobs?
Chicago account for the most private equity openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to the headquarters of most major Illinois-based funds, while suburban markets like Naperville and Evanston see demand from fund administration offices and family offices that locate outside the Loop for cost reasons.
Are there remote private equity jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Private equity work is relationship-driven and deal-intensive, which keeps most roles tied to an office, especially at the analyst and associate levels. About 100% of private equity openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be in fund accounting, investor relations, and portfolio monitoring rather than deal sourcing or execution.
How can I get hired as a private equity in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an investment banking analyst program at a Chicago-based bank such as William Blair or Houlihan Lokey, then lateral into private equity after two years. Illinois firms like Madison Dearborn and GTCR do recruit directly from Chicago-area MBA programs at Northwestern Kellogg and the University of Chicago Booth. A CFA Level I pass, a polished LBO model in your portfolio, and experience in a relevant sector such as healthcare or industrials can help candidates without a traditional banking background get an initial conversation.
Where can I find and apply to private equity jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to private equity jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated in real time. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from each listing.
See All 14 Private Equity Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Private Equity Jobs