Title: Senior Fellow, Alternative Investments Fellowship Program (AIFP)

Department: SEO Career & Alternative Investments

Report to: Associate Director, Alternative Investments

Compensation: $94,000 - $110,600

FLSA: Exempt

Employee Type: Full-Time, Regular

Location: New York, NY

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days/week in the SEO office at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005

 

ABOUT SEO

Founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, SEO closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000 ambitious young people annually.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Fellow, Alternative Investments Fellowship Program (AIFP) is a hands-on industry expert and program leader responsible for strengthening SEO's coaching, mentoring, and curriculum model for participants pursuing careers in Private Equity and the broader Alternative Investments space. Drawing on Private Equity industry experience, this role serves as a trusted advisor to program staff, a mentor and coach to fellows, and a strategic contributor to program design and partner engagement. The Senior Fellow will play a central role in increasing the alternative investments pipeline by preparing the next generation of investment professionals.

Industry Expertise & Program Leadership

• Serve as a trusted and strategic partner to the Associate Director, Alternative Investments, Assistant Director, Investment Banking & Markets and the SEO Career & Alts Programs team, providing private equity industry knowledge and perspective to strengthen programming and increase diversity in the alternatives space.
• Advise on and participate in the development and maintenance of curriculum materials targeted at preparing candidates for private equity analyst and associate recruiting, drawing on publicly available resources and third-party training materials; coordinate licensing and hosting arrangements as needed.
• Advise on and participate in the development and maintenance of a calendar of partner-led events — including panels, breakfast meetings, and networking sessions — to engage private equity partner firms and build candidates' readiness for investment roles.
• Create industry-specific materials, including case studies, student-facing and partner-facing materials for events and sessions where deep private equity knowledge is required, ensuring content reflects current market dynamics and recruiting expectations.
• Monitor the broader recruiting landscape for emerging trends — including shifts in hiring volumes, role types, fund strategies, and sector demand — and translate findings into actionable insights that inform curriculum development and program strategy.

Fellow Selection, Coaching & Mentorship

• Support the overall selection of AIFP fellows, including contributing to program marketing, candidate screening, and interviews of prospective participants.
• Mentor and coach young professionals and AIFP fellows as they prepare to enter the private equity industry, fostering professional growth, industry acumen, technical finance skills, and their connection to SEO.
• Participate in regular training sessions, networking opportunities, and programming touchpoints — including breakfast meetings and panels — to deepen fellows' exposure to the industry and professional networks.
• Support all activities leading up to and the day of the SEO Alternative Investments Conference (AICON).

Pipeline Development

• Identify interview-ready candidates for open analyst and associate private equity roles at partner firms; coordinate or arrange third-party coaching to increase participants' interview readiness.
• Recommend candidates who are prepared to compete for roles and support partner sourcing, marketing, and relations efforts as needed.
• Draft written content for candidate engagement and development as needed. 

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Participate in check-ins providing updates on completed work, ongoing tasks, emerging challenges, and proposed adjustments to programming plans.
• Contribute to performance reporting, including data on participants engaged, participants coached, and offers secured by fellows and non-fellows.
• Track overall program metrics, including annual fellow class formation and offer conversion rates, providing qualitative and quantitative assessments that inform program evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• CFA, CAIA or other relevant professional certifications are a plus.
• 6+ years of professional experience required with a minimum of 2 years of Investment Banking experience and a minimum of 4 years of Private Equity or buyside experience preferred. 

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Passion for SEO’s Mission: A deep curiosity about the barriers to entry for pre-professionals and a dedication to closing opportunity gaps.
• Coaching/Mentorship: Proven ability to motivate, coach, and mentor high-achieving college students. Passionate about SEO Career and Alternative Investments’ mission and helping participants get the practical knowledge and skills they need to gain an internship offer and ultimately have a successful and enriching internship experience.
• Strong Organizational Skills: Able to multi-task and meet the needs of the Programs team while successfully keeping participants’ needs at the forefront. Strong time management skills and willingness and ability to take on ad hoc projects as needed.
• Communication: Able to communicate in writing and orally in a manner that is understandable to a diverse audience to include candidates, current SEO Career and Alternative Investments student interns, partners, recruitment team members, and executive team members. Must be comfortable with speaking and presenting in public.
• Critical Thinking & Flexibility: Capable of anticipating needs, employing best resources, and employing careful decision making. Able to adjust to changes and work demands quickly while maintaining a strategic and tactical vision to efficiently complete work. Ability to be both a self-starter and a team player who builds people-first relationships and prioritizes the participant experience every step of the way.
• Technical/Analytical Proficiency: Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications, and adept at learning and using technology, systems, and processes, especially career-related software.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to put people first and foremost.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC Policy

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities – are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.

THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential.

SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results.

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO's programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/.