- University degree from a strong institution; degree subject is secondary to drive, judgement and origination instinct.
- German native / mother tongue and strong English fluency.
- 7-10 years total work experience including 2-5 years in a role centred on direct, regular contact with business owners and senior decision-makers in the UK - origination, business development or cold-outreach experience is essential.
- Origination experience at a private equity firm or in mid-market corporate finance advisory is strongly preferred; alternative backgrounds will be considered where strong personal attributes and origination experience are present.
- Visible origination energy: a resourceful and resilient self-starter with high activity levels, comfortable with cold approaches, the phone, and regular DACH travel.
- Genuine people person: builds rapport naturally with founders of owner-managed businesses, demonstrating maturity and commercial judgement, and earns trust quickly with intermediaries.
- Fluent in modern origination technology (CRM, AI tools and outreach platforms), actively curious about deploying new tools to scale proprietary sourcing.
Beyond professional skills, the ideal candidate should demonstrate hunger and smart hustle - high output paired with sharp prioritisation - alongside commercial judgement, integrity in handling sensitive founder and adviser conversations, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
As the chosen candidate, you'll have the unique opportunity to join one of the world's leading private financial institutions. You'll be embedded in an ambitious direct investments team, working in a dynamic "start-up" environment while benefiting from the support of experienced senior professionals within the PAA team and the broader Pictet Group.
