Acumen Latin America is seeking a Senior Associate to join our Bogotá-based Portfolio team. We are looking for a thoughtful, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven professional with 4–6 years of relevant experience and a strong commitment to tackling poverty and inequality in Latin America.
This role is ideal for someone who combines strong investment judgment with empathy, curiosity, and the ability to work closely with entrepreneurs and rural communities. The right candidate is analytical, proactive, open to different points of view, and energized by finding creative solutions in complex and evolving environments.
About Acumen
Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in some of the hardest-to-reach communities on the planet, impacting over half-a-billion lives. To learn more visit acumen.org.
About Acumen Latin America
Acumen began investing in Latin America in 2013, with a focus on Colombia and Peru. Our strategy is centered on backing businesses that serve communities that have faced historical political, economic, and social exclusion, particularly in rural areas. Our Bogotá-based team invests in and supports companies across sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, and other high-impact areas aligned with Acumen’s investment thesis.
About the Role
The Senior Associate will play a key role across the full investment lifecycle: sourcing and evaluating new opportunities, conducting due diligence, structuring transactions, supporting investment committee processes, coordinating disbursements, and actively managing portfolio companies post-investment support.
This person will help assess opportunities from the ground up, including businesses that are not yet in the pipeline, and will work from initial screening through investment decision and closing. The role also requires close partnership with portfolio companies, ranging from support on operational matters to participation in board meetings and strategic discussions.
Responsibilities
Early-Stage Investing
- Identify, assess, and help build a high-quality pipeline of investment opportunities aligned with Acumen’s investment thesis, including evaluating opportunities from zero through investment decision and disbursement.
- Conduct rigorous commercial, operational, financial, and impact due diligence on potential investments.
- Build financial models, valuation analysis, and contribute to transaction structuring.
- Prepare clear, compelling investment materials and recommendations for Acumen Latin America’s Investment Committee.
- Work directly with entrepreneurs, rural enterprises, and community-based businesses to understand business models, risks, opportunities, and impact potential.
Portfolio Management
- Serve as a thought partner to portfolio companies, providing support that may range from hands-on operational problem-solving to strategic guidance.
- Build trusted relationships with entrepreneurs and management teams, bringing empathy, sound judgment, and a practical approach to problem solving.
- Help identify key company needs and design support strategies in coordination with senior team members and external partners.
- Track financial and impact performance and help companies strengthen their ability to scale sustainably.
Portfolio Operations & Team Contribution
- Support internal portfolio analysis, investment financial and impact performance tracking, and documentation of key insights and lessons learned.
- Contribute to the development of materials for strategic partnerships, fundraising, and external communications as needed.
- Help strengthen Acumen’s network across the impact investing and social enterprise ecosystem.
- Contribute to a collaborative team culture by listening to diverse perspectives, challenging assumptions thoughtfully, and helping the team arrive at strong, creative solutions.
Qualifications
- 4–6 years of relevant experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, consulting, impact investing, or related fields.
- Strong financial, analytical, and business judgment, including experience evaluating early-stage or growth-stage businesses.
- Experience conducting due diligence, financial modelling and supporting transaction execution.
- Ability to operate with independence, attention to detail, and strong execution in fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environments.
- Strong interpersonal skills and an authentic ability to build trust with entrepreneurs, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated interest in working with underserved communities, particularly in rural contexts.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or MBA is a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish.
- Authorization to work in Colombia on a permanent basis.
What We’re Looking For
- Deep alignment with Acumen’s mission and values.
- A genuine desire to listen and understand different perspectives.
- Empathy, humility, and strong relationship-building skills.
- Creativity and the ability to think outside the box when facing challenges.
- Sound judgment, initiative, and a bias toward action.
- Curiosity, maturity, and a commitment to learning.
Compensation
Acumen Latin America offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including benefits.
Location
Bogotá, Colombia
Deadline
Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
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