Investment Associate

Who we are: 

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.

About the Opportunity: 

The Investment Associate will play a key role supporting WES’ 100% mission-aligned investment portfolio – including the organization’s catalytic and thematic investing strategies.  This role supports pipeline development, diligence activities, structure a broad range of investment tools (e.g., debt, equity, guarantees, recoverable grants), ongoing monitoring and evaluation, data analyses, partner support, and overall investment processes. The Investment Associate contributes to WES’ efforts to demonstrate a trust-based investment approach which shifts power to proximate leaders and collaborate with leading organizations in the impact investing and philanthropic fields. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Thematic Investments, works closely with members of other WES departments and will significant exposure to members of WES Executive Leadership Team, and members of the WES Board of Directors.

Private Market Investments – 60%

• Originate new investment opportunities across catalytic and thematic portfolios, build strong pipeline channels, and conduct deep market research to identify high-quality investment opportunities.

• Contribute to investment due diligence across financial, strategic, and impact dimensions, synthesizing complex data into clear insights and recommendations.

• Support investment analysis, financial modeling, benchmarking, and portfolio monitoring, including dashboards, reporting, forecasts, and trend analysis.

• Contribute to WES’ overarching investment strategy, alongside WES’ Investment team, leadership, and Board.

• Support the development of high-quality screening and investment memos, and other key materials, to enable decision-making.

Portfolio Management and Platform Development – 20%

• Contribute to design and continuous improvement of WES’s end‑to‑end investment processes, including pipeline management, diligence frameworks, portfolio monitoring, valuation processes, and reporting systems; identify gaps and implement scalable solutions in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

• Manage project management and CRM systems to support WES leaders in meeting and managing key milestones and goals related to its mission investing portfolio.

• Support the Investments Platform Manager in portfolio monitoring, valuation and performance reporting, supporting the development of monthly Cash and Investment Reviews and bi-annual Performance Monitoring and Valuation Analyses, and developing ad-hoc analyses and risk assessments for internal stakeholders.

Knowledge Management and Ad Hoc Organizational Support – 20%

• Act as an internal connector and advocate for impact investing within the WES ecosystem, operating as a knowledgeable resource and fostering integration across WES’ teams and departments.

• Partner with the Investments Platform Manager to develop and execute a knowledge management strategy, integrating investment activities and insights across WES to advance organizational priorities and strategy.

• Partner with Senior Director, Investments on overall department leadership and management, providing ad hoc administrative support.

• Support dynamic learning, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership among WES’ investee partners and the broader field.

Your Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field, or equivalent work experience.

• An investment professional with experience in impact investing or an adjacent field such as venture capital, venture philanthropy, private equity, community development financing, fund investments, social enterprise development, investment banking, and/or private debt.

• 2+ years of related work experience or 1 year of work experience.

• Demonstrated strong analytical and data management skills to assess situations, break down complex problems, identify strategic tradeoffs, and apply learnings in a larger context.

• Exceptional project manager who thrives on a dynamic team, delivers high-quality work, enjoys managing multiple projects, and has a strong learning orientation.

• Comfort working with and drawing insights from financial statements, conducting portfolio analysis, building models, and preparing clear summaries and visuals.

• Strong command of technology tools, including Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and OneDrive), Salesforce or other CRM systems, Tableau, and Google Apps.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills that convey complex information, including quantitative and qualitative data, to stakeholders in compelling and adaptive formats.

• Good interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility, and demonstrated experience building trust with diverse stakeholder groups.

• Bring a “can-do” attitude, have a willingness to stretch up and down in their role, take on additional responsibilities, and quickly establish credibility in new areas of work.

• Build collaborative, trust-based working relationships with colleagues and external partners, mobilizing people at all levels towards collective goals.

• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset to generate new approaches, spot innovative opportunities, take calculated risks, and initiate action.

• Thrive in an environment that values transparency, accountability, collaboration, and an orientation for results.

• Possess intellectual curiosity, an openness to diverse ideas and perspectives, and a continued interest in learning and professional development.

• Have a deep commitment to WES’ mission, trust-based investing, and centering JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) in our work.

Desired

• MBA or Master’s degree in a related field.

• Bring lived experience from immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color, as well the issues that the Investment team focuses on.

• Travel as needed to meet with partners, attend conferences, and to WES’ NYC and Toronto offices WES’ offices in New York City and Toronto periodically

What We Offer:

Joining our team at WES means embarking on a purpose-driven career with a global impact, where you contribute daily to making a tangible difference in the lives of people worldwide. You’ll thrive in an employee-centric environment, with access to learning opportunities, pathways for personal and professional development, and recognition of your achievements. Our inclusive, mission-driven culture values employees and focuses on investing in our people through our culture, people framework, and programming while offering the flexibility of remote work options.

• Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.

• Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.

• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.

• Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.

• Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization.

Values: 

• Opportunity – We open doors so people can build better futures.

• Inclusion – We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.

• Equity – We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.

• Enterprising – We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.

Inclusive Recruitment Process:

We welcome all applicants, irrespective of their experience perfectly fitting the job description, as we value diverse and innovative viewpoints. At our organization, individuals who thrive in a culture of continuous learning and inclusive teamwork excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Our Commitment:

At World Education Services, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it’s about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you encounter challenges accessing or using our career site due to a disability, you may request reasonable accommodation by contacting us via email at hiring@wes.org. Our Talent Acquisition team is dedicated to supporting qualified candidates by providing solutions that can meet their needs.

Please be advised that this email address is intended to receive and respond to inquiries concerning the accessibility of the online application system, and requests for assistance and accommodation during any part of the recruitment process. Résumés or applications sent to this email address will not be reviewed.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.

This position is an existing vacancy and is currently open for hire.