Strategic Assistant to the CEO and the Investor Relations/Compliance Partner

Company Description

HKW is a middle-market private equity firm investing in companies with talented management teams in the US and Canada. HKW targets companies in the manufacturing, distribution and business services sectors. Since 1982, HKW has sponsored 71 platform transactions of lower middle-market companies throughout North America and 80 add-on acquisitions. For more information on HKW, please visit  hkwinc.com. 

Position Overview 

This role goes beyond traditional executive support, serving as a strategic operations and marketing coordinator for a dynamic, growth-stage private equity firm. The Strategic Assistant will work directly with both the CEO and the Partner responsible for Investor Relations and Compliance. 

Ideal for a proactive, business-savvy individual with a minimum of 3–5 years of experience and a keen interest in private markets, this role blends executive assistance with high-level project execution. 

You will support both Partners in the daily operations, deal flow, marketing/sourcing initiatives, and firm strategy execution, while also collaborating with the IR Partner to manage LP communications, branding initiatives, CRM workflows, and external firmwide visibility. You will also pilot AI technologies and light analytics to enhance process efficiency and reporting across the firm’s core functions. 

Core Responsibilities 

Deal Flow/Marketing Initiatives/Firm Strategy Support (with CEO) 

• Data entry, monitor and manage the deal flow lifecycle within Deal Cloud, covering sourcing emails through to NDA, CIM, IOI, SV, LOI, Closings or decline/pass decisions. Work with CEO and Operations Go To Market Partner to become expert in using the Deal Cloud CRM platform. 

• Identify and resolve issues with deal documentation, conduct initial assessments, and collaborate with the investment team to address ambiguities. 

• Ensure real-time accuracy of pipeline data and reports and maintain well-organized materials to support decision-making. 

• Actively check and update DealCloud contact records as Offering Memoranda comes in—especially tracking changes among junior investment bank staff (additions and removals), based on input from team members. 

Investor Relations & LP Support (with IR and Compliance Partner) 

• Refine, finalize, and upload LP reports and documents to Intralinks. Work with IR Partner and outsourced compliance firm to assist in keeping our compliance policies current. 

• Assist with the transition to a new Intralinks platform launching in September—support migration of historical documents, verify data accuracy, and ensure a smooth cutover process. 

• Coordinate with Operations Go To Market Partner, who has been involved in the platform migration process and ongoing calls. 

• Handle most of LP communications including meetings, HKW Deliverables, email correspondence and monitor responses. 

• Keep investor contact information current across Word lists, DealCloud, and Intralinks. 

• Professionally address LP inquiries, coordinating with HKW and its affiliates when necessary. 

Administrative & Office Operations (with CEO) 

• Process and distribute physical mail for portfolio companies (scan and email to legal or operations contacts). 

• Prepare, print, bind, and ship presentations for management meetings, investor and board meetings as required. 

• Manage expense reports, provide phone coverage, and oversee basic office inventory. 

Marketing & Brand Visibility (with CEO and IR Partner) 

• Develop and schedule content for LinkedIn, update the website, and manage mass email newsletters and updates. 

• Maintain and update marketing templates, investor decks, firm one-pagers, and case studies. 

• Assist in planning and executing the Annual Meeting and other HKW industry events, and initiatives to enhance firm visibility. 

AI & Analytics Support (with CEO & IR Partner) 

• Work with Transaction Partner and CEO to experiment with and implement generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copy.ai) for content creation and outreach efforts. 

• Support the integration of AI tools into CRM workflows

• Create simple dashboards or reports within Deal Cloud to track LP engagement, sourcing trends, or operational KPIs. 

Ideal Candidate Profile 

• 3–5 years of experience in private equity, venture capital, investment banking, marketing, or advanced operations 

• Strong communicator and copy editor, adept at engaging with investors and executives 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, CRM platforms (DealCloud preferred), Intralinks, and LinkedIn 

• Highly organized with a systems-oriented mindset and a knack for process improvement 

• Curious and adaptable, eager to explore and master AI technologies 

• Located in or willing to relocate to Dallas, TX 

Compensation & Growth Path 

• Salary range: Competitive to the Dallas area 

• Direct reporting lines to both the CEO and the IR Partner 

• Clear career progression opportunities into roles such as Director of Marketing & Investor Relations or similar sourcing roles 

• Additional support (e.g., virtual assistants, data entry, outsourced marketing) to be incorporated as needed