Senior Associate, Product Launch

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.

The Product Launch Senior Associate will assist with leading the launch of innovative new investment solutions for our clients, including those utilizing an existing operating model and those adopting a new operating model. This is an exciting new role directly involved in the firm's expansion. The Product Launch Senior Associate (Boston) will be part of the Strategy, Innovation, and Execution function, which is collectively responsible for building the firm in new areas.

The ideal candidate is someone who is/has:

• Entrepreneurial, creative, thoughtful, and flexible, with professional experience assisting in developing, fleshing out, and launching new investment products or solutions, preferably within private markets
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to assist with pushing for decisions on a project while seeking input from different perspectives, without existing precedents
• Excellent at communicating complex concepts in simple terms, in writing and in person
• Experience working in team environments, with the ability to assist with leading or facilitating group efforts and to help influence colleagues and counterparties using a range of techniques
• Organized and effective in supporting key initiatives, with the willingness and capability to assume responsibility and ownership of outcomes
• Focused on having a significant impact on the business, while considering short- and long-term opportunities and risks

What you will do:

The Product Launch Senior Associate will assist with leading the development of specific new products (including those that are following existing or new operating models) that  align with the firm's strategy. The role will include:

• Assisting on all aspects of the launch of a new product from the point of concept approval to the first subscription
• Supporting plans to launch a new product
• Assisting with establishing key dependencies and goals in order to meet launch targets
• Carefully reviewing and opining on legal, marketing and other product documentation from a commercial perspective
• Helping to gather feedback and input from a large cross-section of the organization and evaluating different inputs to inform decisions around product terms and related sales and operating models
• Coordinating with operational leads to ensure that the firm will be prepared to support the operational needs of a new product
• Sharing experience and insights to influence the firm's product strategy and planning and prioritization process
• Contributing to research and development before a product concept reaches the launch stage
• Assisting with preparing and maintaining the firm’s overall product development and launch pipeline
• Updating and maintaining an array of tools, templates, references, and resources to assist in the development and launch of products
• Other responsibilities as required

The role will include close collaboration with other members of the Product Launch team, leaders of the Strategy, Innovation, and Execution function, and ongoing partnership with a diverse set of colleagues across the firm, including Legal, Compliance, Marketing, Investor Relations, Private Wealth, Tax, Investments, Client Operations New Business Implementation, and Financial Planning & Analysis, as well as external providers and advisors.

What you bring:

• 3-6 years of professional experience in the private markets or asset management space, focused on structuring / product development / product launch and related topics, from a commercial or legal perspective
• Demonstrated excellence in implementing multi-dimensional projects
• Strong familiarity with and interest in the private equity or broader private markets landscape
• Strong understanding of the mechanics and inter-dependencies of alternative investment funds
• Strong project management experience with an ability to lead and manage large cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with different legal structures used for investors to access private market strategies
• Familiarity with business models

Education Preferred:

• Bachelors degree
• Nice to have: JD or MBA or equivalent experience

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