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Senior Associate - Data Management & Processing - Job Opportunity at StepStone Group

Dublin, Ireland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 15, 2025
Hybrid
ā‚¬65,000 - ā‚¬85,000 per year, reflecting Dublin's competitive financial services market and the specialized nature of private markets operations. This range accounts for the senior-level responsibilities, team leadership requirements, and the premium commanded by professionals with private debt expertise in Ireland's growing alternative investment sector.

Benefits

Equal opportunity employment environment that empowers all employees regardless of title or tenure
Access to multiple Employment Resource Groups fostering community and professional networking
Comprehensive mentorship programs designed to accelerate career development and knowledge transfer
Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility to balance office collaboration with remote productivity

Key Responsibilities

Lead and develop a high-performing team of analysts, driving operational excellence through strategic task allocation, performance optimization, and continuous skills development initiatives
Execute comprehensive investment monitoring across diverse private debt asset classes including Corporate Loans, CLOs, ABLs, Infrastructure, and Real Estate, ensuring proactive risk identification and stakeholder alignment
Drive critical portfolio valuation processes by coordinating complex data workflows, managing stakeholder timelines, and ensuring audit-ready documentation that supports investment decision-making
Serve as primary liaison with external valuation agents and auditors, ensuring seamless communication and accurate data delivery that maintains firm reputation and regulatory compliance
Lead data quality initiatives by identifying systemic discrepancies, implementing scalable automation solutions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency
Own and maintain mission-critical operational documentation, ensuring processes remain current, auditable, and aligned with evolving internal control standards
Develop and optimize Standard Operating Procedures that reflect industry best practices and regulatory expectations, supporting organizational scalability
Produce executive-level KPIs, operational dashboards, and strategic reports that inform senior leadership decision-making while maintaining exceptional stakeholder communication standards

Requirements

Education

Degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field; Master's degree preferred

Experience

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in private markets, portfolio monitoring, investment operations, or data governanceā€”preferably within private debt

Required Skills

Proven experience leading or mentoring analysts or small teams Strong understanding of financial statements, including the income statement and balance sheet, with knowledge of key credit metrics such as EBITDA, leverage ratios, and debt covenants Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with experience in financial modelling, data validation, and process automation Familiarity with database tools (e.g., SQL, Power BI) Exceptional attention to detail, organisational skills, and problem-solving ability Clear and confident communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and seniority levels Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outputs in a fast-paced environment Self-starter with a proactive mindset and a strong focus on efficiency, data quality, and continuous process enhancement
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The private markets industry is experiencing unprecedented growth with assets under management expected to reach $18.3 trillion by 2028, driving massive demand for sophisticated data management professionals who can handle complex alternative investment portfolios. This growth is particularly pronounced in private debt markets, where institutional investors are increasingly allocating capital due to attractive risk-adjusted returns and portfolio diversification benefits. Regulatory compliance requirements in alternative investments are intensifying globally, with new reporting standards and transparency mandates requiring advanced data governance capabilities. Organizations are investing heavily in operational infrastructure to meet these evolving requirements, creating significant opportunities for professionals with expertise in data quality, process automation, and audit-ready documentation systems. The integration of technology and automation in private markets operations is accelerating rapidly, with firms seeking professionals who can bridge traditional investment operations with modern data analytics and process automation tools. This technological transformation is essential for firms to maintain competitive advantages while managing increasingly complex and diverse investment portfolios across multiple asset classes.

Role Significance

Typically manages a team of 3-5 analysts in private markets operations, with indirect influence over broader operational teams through cross-functional collaboration and process standardization initiatives. The role serves as a bridge between junior analytical staff and senior investment professionals.
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant team leadership responsibilities, positioned as a critical operational backbone for the firm's private debt investment activities. The role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic oversight, indicating a position that influences key business processes and investment outcomes while serving as a development pathway toward senior management roles.

Key Projects

Implementation of automated data validation systems for private debt portfolio monitoring across multiple asset classes Development of comprehensive valuation cycle management processes that streamline quarterly and annual portfolio assessments Creation of integrated risk monitoring frameworks that provide real-time insights into portfolio performance and covenant compliance Design and execution of audit readiness initiatives that ensure operational processes meet regulatory and investor requirements

Success Factors

Exceptional analytical capabilities combined with strong leadership skills to effectively manage and develop high-performing teams while maintaining operational excellence in fast-paced, high-stakes investment environments. Deep technical expertise in private debt markets including comprehensive understanding of credit analysis, covenant structures, and portfolio valuation methodologies that enable effective collaboration with investment professionals and external stakeholders. Advanced proficiency in data management technologies and process automation tools, with the ability to identify inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions that enhance operational capacity and data quality across complex investment portfolios. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills essential for maintaining relationships with valuation agents, auditors, and internal investment teams while ensuring accurate and timely information flow throughout the organization.

Market Demand

High demand driven by the explosive growth in private markets AUM and increasing institutional adoption of alternative investments. Dublin's position as a post-Brexit EU financial hub has intensified competition for experienced private markets professionals, particularly those with operational expertise and regulatory knowledge.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced Excel proficiency with financial modeling capabilities is absolutely essential for managing complex private debt data workflows, performing portfolio analysis, and creating automated validation processes that ensure data accuracy across multiple asset classes and investment structures. Leadership and team management skills are critical for success in this role, as the position requires effectively managing analyst teams, driving performance improvements, and fostering professional development while maintaining operational excellence in high-pressure investment environments. Deep understanding of private debt markets and credit analysis is fundamental for effective investment monitoring, risk identification, and stakeholder communication, particularly given the diverse asset classes and complex covenant structures typical in private debt portfolios.

Beneficial Skills

SQL and Power BI proficiency would significantly enhance capabilities for advanced data analysis, automated reporting, and integration with firm-wide technology platforms, providing competitive advantages in process optimization and strategic insights generation. Project management certification or formal training would be valuable for managing complex valuation cycles, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, and implementing process improvements that require careful stakeholder management and timeline coordination. Regulatory knowledge in alternative investment compliance would be increasingly valuable as the industry faces evolving reporting requirements and transparency mandates that directly impact operational processes and investor relations.

Unique Aspects

This role offers exposure to the full spectrum of private debt asset classes including Corporate Loans, CLOs, ABLs, Infrastructure, and Real Estate, providing comprehensive market experience that is rare in the industry and highly valuable for career advancement.
The position combines operational excellence with strategic leadership responsibilities, offering a unique opportunity to influence firm-wide processes while developing critical management skills in a high-growth environment.
Direct interaction with external valuation agents and auditors provides valuable exposure to industry best practices and regulatory requirements, building expertise that is increasingly critical in the evolving private markets landscape.
The role's focus on process automation and data quality enhancement positions the successful candidate at the forefront of technological transformation in private markets operations.

Career Growth

Typical progression to VP level within 3-5 years given strong performance and continued market growth, with potential acceleration based on successful implementation of process improvements and team development outcomes.

Potential Next Roles

Vice President - Private Debt Operations, leading larger operational teams and taking responsibility for firm-wide process standardization and regulatory compliance initiatives Director of Investment Operations, overseeing operations across multiple private markets asset classes with P&L responsibility and strategic input into business development Portfolio Manager - Private Debt, transitioning to the investment side with direct responsibility for portfolio construction and client relationship management

Company Overview

StepStone Group

StepStone Group is a leading global private markets investment firm with over $590 billion in total capital allocations, serving institutional investors worldwide through customized investment solutions and advisory services. The firm operates across private equity, private debt, infrastructure, and real estate markets, with a distinctive focus on data-driven investment insights and comprehensive market intelligence.

StepStone holds a premier position in the global private markets ecosystem, recognized as one of the largest and most sophisticated alternative investment platforms. The firm's competitive advantage lies in its comprehensive data platform and analytical capabilities, which provide unique market insights and investment opportunities to institutional clients worldwide.
Dublin serves as StepStone's key European operational hub, supporting the firm's significant EMEA business and providing critical operational services for global investment activities. This location offers excellent career development opportunities within a growing regional presence that benefits from Dublin's status as a major international financial center.
StepStone emphasizes a collaborative, data-driven culture that values analytical rigor, professional development, and cross-functional teamwork. The firm's commitment to employee empowerment and diverse perspectives creates an environment where professionals can drive meaningful impact while advancing their careers in the dynamic alternative investments industry.
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