Managing Director, Private Equity

Overview

McGuireWoods is hiring a senior, market-facing leader responsible for originating and developing relationships across the private equity ecosystem, with a focus on emerging managers and institutional investors. The role drives connectivity, introductions, and new business opportunities for the firm and its clients. This position offers a competitive base salary and participation in a discretionary bonus program tied to individual contribution and overall firm performance.

Our Private Equity Transactions Practice Group sits at the center of the market – representing over 200 PE firms and portfolio companies in the past five years alone. We advise clients across the full investment lifecycle and up and down the capital stack, from M&A and financings to day-to-day strategic counsel. Our deep relationships span industries, with strength in healthcare private equity and independent sponsor work. What sets us apart is how we think. Our attorneys operate with an investment banking mindset, proactively identifying opportunities, cultivating relationships, and connecting clients with investors and contacts across our extensive network. You won't just execute deals here – you'll help drive them.

McGuireWoods, one of the world's leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers most employees a hybrid remote option allowing flexibility and work-life balance.

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Responsibilities

• Origination & Relationship Development
  • Build and own senior-level relationships with GPs (especially emerging managers), LPs, and other key market participants
  • Drive opportunities from prospecting through conversion, including attorney engagement and follow-up
  • Facilitate introductions and connectivity to support fundraising, co-investment, and deal flow
  • Partner with attorneys and our business development team to generate new client opportunities
• Market Intelligence & Growth
  • Maintain deep knowledge of private equity market activity, investor priorities, and trends
  • Identify and pursue new growth opportunities using market and relationship insights
  • Represent the firm externally through thought leadership, panels, and industry forums
  • Capture and share relationship and market intelligence to support broader BD efforts
• Events & Industry Presence
  • Serve as a senior ambassador at industry events and conferences
  • Support firm-hosted events to drive engagement with priority market participants

Qualifications

• Required
  • 15+ years in private equity, fundraising, investor relations, or business development
  • Strong existing network across GPs, LPs, and emerging managers
  • Proven ability to originate relationships and convert them into business opportunities
  • Deep understanding of fundraising, fund formation, and capital relationships
  • Highly credible communicator with senior stakeholders
  • Self-directed, collaborative, and comfortable operating in a market-facing role
  • Willingness to travel and maintain an active external presence
• Preferred
  • Experience with emerging managers, spinouts, or first-time funds
  • Background at a placement agent, fund, or institutional investor
  • Familiarity with legal/commercial dynamics in private equity