Job Description

Job Summary

2026 Private Equity Analyst

Chicago, IL

Private Equity Analyst Program

Vista’s Analyst Program offers immersive training, real deal exposure, and access to industry-leading professionals across all aspects of private equity. You’ll gain a deep understanding of how a sector-specific private equity firm sources, evaluates, and executes transactions while contributing to value creation across our portfolio of enterprise software companies.

Analysts are integral to deal execution, portfolio management, and internal initiatives. The program combines the analytical rigor of M&A with the strategic and operational depth of consulting, accelerating your career trajectory within the firm and the industry.

Vista Equity Partners is hiring for our 2026 Private Equity Analyst Program , an opportunity designed to build the next generation of private equity investors. For this cycle, we are accepting applications from two distinct candidate profiles:

Who Should

We are looking for talented candidates who are intellectually curious, highly analytical, and driven by a passion for enterprise software and investing from the following backgrounds:

• Undergraduate Candidates

• Graduating between Winter 2025 – Spring 2026
• Ideal for students seeking a full-time opportunity to launch their careers in private equity after graduation
• Strong internship experience (investment banking, private equity, consulting, or tech preferred)

• Early-Career Professionals (Experienced Analyst Track)

• 1–2 years of relevant post-undergraduate work experience in management consulting, private equity, accounting, or a tech/finance-related role
• Ideal for candidates looking to pivot into private equity with foundational professional experience already in hand

Both tracks will be considered through the same application process and will enter Vista’s Private Equity Analyst Program in the summer of 2026.

Explore Private Equity with Vista on Forage

We strongly encourage you to preview the type of work you will perform as a Private Equity Analyst through the Vista Private Equity Virtual Experience Program on Forage. It’s a free, self-paced simulation designed to give you real-world insight into the Analyst role here at Vista.

Program Overview

Key Responsibilities

Transactions

• Evaluate investment opportunities through financial modeling and market research
• Analyze industry trends and company performance
• Support due diligence and execution for new platform and add-on investments

Portfolio Management & Operations

• Collaborate with management teams and internal operators to monitor performance
• Help identify and implement operational best practices across the portfolio

Internal Firm Initiatives

• Contribute to firm-wide sourcing efforts and investment theses
• Assist in developing and evolving Vista’s playbooks and internal knowledge base

Application Process

Candidates ing to the Austin office must submit an application and complete the online cognitive assessment by July 4, 2025. The assessment link will be sent automatically after submission and must be completed by the deadline.

Interested in Other Locations?

Vista is also hiring for our San Francisco and Chicago offices. If you're open to any of our locations, please to each office you are interested in by using the links below.

Note: You only need to complete the CCAT assessment once.

• San Francisco Application
• Austin Application

Job Tags

Similar Jobs