DACH Origination Professional - Direct Private Equity

Your team

Pictet Alternative Advisors (PAA) is a leading alternative investment asset manager that is part of the Pictet Group, with a focus on private equity, real estate, private credit and hedge funds. Pictet Group currently has more than €50bn of AUM in alternatives and more than €25bn of private equity AUM. Pictet launched its first direct private equity fund in 2023, with a focus on mid-market European buyout investments, raising over €430m. 
As the fund is now in active deployment, we are looking to expand our origination capability and hire an Origination Professional dedicated to the DACH lower mid-market.
You will be part of a team of 13 professionals dedicated to the direct private equity fund. The team invests primarily across the UK and DACH in founder-led businesses in B2B services and education. 
Your role will be based out of Zurich with frequent travel across DACH and London, where the fund is based.

Your role

As a key member of the direct private equity team, you will be responsible for generating a consistent, high-quality pipeline of proprietary acquisition opportunities in the DACH lower mid-market (€2–10m EBITDA, owner-managed businesses). The role combines direct founder outreach as well as corporate finance adviser coverage supporting the team’s thematic investment priorities, and the development of a modern origination tech stack. Your responsibilities will include:

• Direct Origination:
  • Conduct structured mapping of companies within sub-sectors aligned to the fund's thematic priorities;
  • Run structured multi-channel outreach to founder-led businesses;
  • Travel across DACH to meet entrepreneurs, qualify opportunities against investment criteria, and nurture longer-term prospects through structured CRM-driven relationship management;
  • Evaluate and deploy new origination tools to scale the firm's sourcing edge.
• Adviser & Intermediary Coverage:
  • Build and maintain active dialogue with regional advisers, corporate finance boutiques and accountants who advise owner-managed businesses on exit;
  • Travel regularly across DACH to meet advisers and position the fund consistently to ensure it is top of mind for upcoming sale mandates.

Your profile

• University degree from a strong institution; degree subject is secondary to drive, judgement and origination instinct.
• German native / mother tongue and strong English fluency.
• 7-10 years total work experience including 2-5 years in a role centred on direct, regular contact with business owners and senior decision-makers in the DACH - origination, business development or cold-outreach experience is essential.
• Origination experience at a private equity firm or in mid-market corporate finance advisory is strongly preferred; alternative backgrounds will be considered where strong personal attributes and origination experience are present.
• Visible origination energy: a resourceful and resilient self-starter with high activity levels, comfortable with cold approaches, the phone, and regular DACH travel.
• Genuine people person: builds rapport naturally with founders of owner-managed businesses, demonstrating maturity and commercial judgement, and earns trust quickly with intermediaries.
• Fluent in modern origination technology (CRM, AI tools and outreach platforms), actively curious about deploying new tools to scale proprietary sourcing.

Beyond professional skills, the ideal candidate should demonstrate hunger and smart hustle - high output paired with sharp prioritisation - alongside commercial judgement, integrity in handling sensitive founder and adviser conversations, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.

As the chosen candidate, you'll have the unique opportunity to join one of the world's leading private financial institutions. You'll be embedded in an ambitious direct investments team, working in a dynamic "start-up" environment while benefiting from the support of experienced senior professionals within the PAA team and the broader Pictet Group.

Note

Diversity & Inclusion

Pictet is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse environment. We respect all individuals and seek their inclusion in the workplace.