Value Creation Associate

Position: Value Creation Associate
Organization: Cobalt Service Partners - Alpine Investors Portfolio Company (https://cobaltsp.com)
Location: New York, NYC, Washington, DC, or Charlottesville, VA
Reports To: Director of Integration

Cobalt Service Partners Overview

Cobalt Service Partners is a private equity–backed platform building the leading commercial access and security integration business in North America. Our partner companies design, install, and service mission-critical systems including access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and related low-voltage infrastructure for enterprise, institutional, and commercial customers.

Backed by Alpine Investors, a private equity firm specializing in middle market companies in the services and software industries and with $15bn+ of AUM Cobalt has scaled rapidly since launch, completing seventeen acquisitions in under two years and establishing a differentiated operating model in a large, fragmented, and growing market. Our leadership team combines deep operating experience with disciplined investment practices, and we are building a platform designed to scale through both organic growth and M&A

Cobalt's Core Values Are

• Unwavering stewardship: We believe advancing founders' legacies is a privilege. We do right by our founders, teams, and customers in good times and in bad.

• Excellence in action: We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards. We're bold in our pursuits, don't make excuses, and relentlessly empower each other to get the job done.

• Seek and tell the truth: We're honest with ourselves and others. We do what we say we'll do, say what needs to be said, and search for the right answer regardless of where it comes from.

• Love learning: We're always learning as individuals, as a team, and as a business. We show up humble, curious, and with the courage to change our minds.

• Enjoy the ride: We're fired up by our mission, love our team, and don't take either for granted. We show up authentically, assume best intent, and try not to take ourselves too seriously.

Position Overview

The Value Creation Associate will play a critical role in driving systematic, repeatable value creation across Cobalt's acquisition portfolio. Reporting to the Director of Integration, this role is responsible for making value creation a scalable process that delivers immediate and measurable impact across the M&A lifecycle—from diligence through post-close execution.

This role requires a unique blend of analytical rigor, project management excellence, and hands-on execution support. The Value Creation Associate will work cross-functionally with M&A, Operations, Finance, and portfolio company leadership to identify, quantify, plan, and execute value creation initiatives that drive EBITDA growth, margin expansion, and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, operates with urgency, and has the influencing skills to drive results without formal authority. This is a high impact role in a scaling operation and designed as a training ground for future operators.

Key Responsibilities

• Build & Maintain a Repeatable Value Creation Menu - Develop and continuously refine a standardized menu of value creation levers (revenue growth, margin expansion, cost discipline, cash flow management) that can be consistently assessed across acquisitions

• Lead Value Creation Diligence & Pre-Close Planning - Drive the value creation workstream throughout the M&A lifecycle in close partnership with M&A and Operations teams Conduct value creation diligence and quantify financial impact (EBITDA uplift, etc.) using defensible assumptions aligned with M&A, Ops, and Finance

• Execute Value Creation Initiatives Post-Close - Translate pre-close plans into post-close execution, leveraging internal SMEs and portfolio company operators to deliver at a high level

• Drive Relentless Execution & Realized Value Delivery - Coordinate cross-functionally to remove execution blockers and ensure alignment between functional priorities and value creation objectives. Roll up your sleeves to keep initiatives moving—step in hands-on when bandwidth, capability, or structure is limiting progress

• Model, Track, & Communicate Impact - Build reasonable and auditable financial models for each value creation initiative, clearly articulating expected impact and timelines. Track forecasted vs. actual performance, documenting lessons learned to improve future diligence and execution

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in management consulting, private equity, investment banking, corporate strategy, or high-growth operations roles

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or relevant advanced degree a plus

• Experience in services industries or working with PE-backed platforms preferred

Core Competencies

• Structured Problem Solver & Communicator: Synthesizes complex topics into clear executive communications; maintains rigorous tracking systems and ensures transparent communication across portfolio leaders

• Project Management Expertise: Demonstrated fluency with project management best practices (Lean, Agile, OKRs, etc.) and proven ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously

• Operational & Business Understanding: Clear business acumen to understand deal economics, operating models, and integration dynamics

• M&A & Diligence Acumen: Strong understanding of private equity transaction processes and diligence workflows

• Financial Modeling Capabilities: Ability to build complex, insightful financial models, particularly with imperfect or incomplete data

• Cross-Functional Literacy: Ability to engage effectively with diverse functional teams (M&A, Finance, Operations, IT, HR, etc.) and understand their priorities and workflows

• Urgency: Operates as though every day is the last; constantly pushes objectives to completion and doesn't defer to tomorrow what can be done today

• Leads & Influences with Limited Authority: Drives cross-functional outcomes through trust, influence, and purposeful change management; adapts communication styles to different stakeholders

Compensation And Timing

We anticipate the total compensation package to be: $140,000-$160,000 (includes base and bonus). We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, 401k match, and flexible time off. Cobalt is looking to have the Associate join its team in the near term.