The Capital Markets Associate/Senior Associate is an essential member of Founders First’s newest department, which mobilizes debt, equity, and catalytic capital to advance economic mobility through inclusive business growth. Reporting to the Associate Director of Capital Markets (Department Head), this high-growth role is ideal for an analytically strong, relationship-minded professional ready to help drive the firm’s scale and impact.

The hired individual will own the technical execution of the firm’s capital raises, from diligence and financial analysis through closing. They will lead investor reporting and communications, support structuring of future fundraising vehicles (including Change Catalyst Fund III, anticipated in 2028), and help launch new fundraising verticals focused on intermediaries such as RIAs, wealth managers, and OCIO firms. Working alongside the CEO and Department Head (“Relationship Owners”), they will have a clear growth path toward owning investor relationships over time, helping Founders First reach its goal of raising and deploying $100 million to underinvested small businesses by 2030.

About Us

Founders First Capital Partners, Inc. (FFCP) provides growth capital and advisory services to small businesses in underinvested communities. An industry leader in Revenue-Based Financing and other innovative growth debt, we provide patient, non-dilutive financing that helps service-based companies grow toward the mid-market, driving good jobs and wealth creation across the U.S.

Our work is supported by leading impact investors, including Surdna, Rockefeller, MacArthur, W.K. Kellogg, Marguerite Casey, and Kauffman Foundations; Deutsche Bank; Sunrise Banks; Spring Point Partners; Pivotal (a Melinda French Gates company); wealth managers such as Reynders McVeigh Capital Management; and other families and institutions committed to inclusive growth alongside financial returns.

This role opens at an exciting time. In 2026, the firm launched Change Catalyst Fund II, its third managed debt fund and a multi-tranche facility, raising over $19M as of October 2026 with strong momentum and with $44M in projected wealth created in underinvested communities to-date.

See Impact Report: (https://docsend.com/view/3y4fpaa5dpwdipu7) and CCF II launch announcement:(https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/press/founders-first-capital-partners-12m-change-catalyst-fund-ii-first-close).

What You’ll Do

Due Diligence and Closing (50%)

• Due Diligence by Prospective Investors: Manage investor financial, operational, and impact diligence for Relationship Owners’ prospects, coordinating across Finance, Impact Lending, and Marketing to deliver investor-ready responses
• Modeling of Fund Economics and Supplemental Data Analysis: Drive fund-level modeling, led by Finance with support from Impact Lending, lead supplemental analysis and investor-facing positioning
• Dataroom Management: Maintain, update, and continually improve data room materials, positioned strategically and transparently
• Structuring Support: Work with CEO, Department Head, and consultants in structuring of future fund vehicles, conducting analysis, coordinating launch preparation, and offering insights that balance stakeholder interests
• New Investor Onboarding: Lead new investor subscriptions and closings, coordinating with counsel on legal documents, KYC/AML/eligibility, and following up to close on schedule

Intermediary Channel Development, with Ownership Over Time (20%)

• Help Launch New Fundraising Verticals: Help launch, and over time own, prospective verticals focusing on RIAs, wealth managers, and OCIO firms, building on existing intermediary relationships (scope tailored to experience)
• Intermediary Outreach: Develop outreach strategy and cultivate prospects through warm introductions, outreach, and events, in compliance with securities law
• Platform Approvals: Lead FFCP’s approval process on investment platforms, including due diligence questionnaires and research reviews
• Pipeline Reporting: Maintain the intermediary pipeline in CRM and report progress against goals
• Market Intelligence: Channel insights learned to leadership on industry trends, peers, opportunities, and risks, supporting continued firm development

Existing Investor Relations (20%)

• Investor Reporting and Operations: Serve as primary contact for existing investors’ reporting/operational requests, with significant attention to detail and positive interactions that ensure strong partnerships, renewals, and advocacy
• Project Management: Review and distribute investor reporting, notices, statements, and tax documents (creation is owned by Impact Lending, Finance, and Fund Administrator), ensuring final deliverables are investor-ready, balancing clarity, accuracy, and transparency
• Board and Investor Meetings: Collaborate with CEO and Department Head to support leadership preparation for Board and investor meetings, drive the firm’s Annual Investor Day, and develop other structured engagement opportunities for an institutional-quality investor experience
• Consent and Approvals: Lead consent requests and other investor approvals to reach thresholds required
• Investor Contact List: Owner of all existing investor information, ensuring accuracy of CRM records
• Newsletter: In collaboration with Marketing, coordinate development of quarterly investor newsletter, supporting nurturing and continued brand relevance in impact investor market
• Impact Report Support: Collaborate with Impact Reporting Lead and Department Head on the annual impact report and regional impact reports, developing strategic themes, drafting content as needed, and providing review to meet investor expectations

Department and Firm Building (10%)

• Materials Development: Develop and update investor fundraising materials, positioning the firm effectively in impact investing
• Investor Research Projects: Support Relationship Owners with research to identify net new prospects
• Database Management: Coordinate with Technology team on investor CRM platform and develop dashboards for internal reporting
• Industry Recognition: Coordinate with Marketing on identification and submission of relevant field recognition awards, press releases, etc
• Strategy Support: As capacity allows, support Department Head, leadership team, and external consultants with strategy projects including R&D, competitive analysis, industry learning opportunities, etc

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Passion for Founders First’s mission of advancing economic mobility through inclusive entrepreneurship and innovative finance
• 3–7 years of experience in investment banking, investor relations or capital formation, wealth management, management consulting, or related financial services
• Bachelor’s degree, ideally in economics, business, or a related field
• Strong financial modeling and analysis skills, including advanced Excel, paired with fluency to interpret firm- and fund-level financials and explain credit/impact performance clearly
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, alongside critical thinking, to turn complex data into clear, compelling, investor-ready materials
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with proven project management skills to run multiple processes and deadlines independently
• Proactive problem solver committed to identifying gaps and proposing solutions pre-emptively to support continued firm building
• Team-first attitude with humility, strong emotional intelligence, and commitment to personal growth

Bonus Qualifications (Not Required)

• Impact investing experience
• Exposure to a fund, note, or debt raise, including diligence, closing, or structuring
• Fundraising or investment sales experience using a consultative, relationship-driven approach focused on long-term trust-building
• Experience with RIAs, wealth managers, OCIOs, investment platforms, or donor-advised funds
• Experience leveraging AI to streamline processes, alongside accuracy, ethics, and data security
• Salesforce management and dashboard creation
• Progress toward or completion of the CFA or CAIA, or related finance coursework

Compensation and Location

• Compensation: $95,000-$125,000 / annually based on qualifications. Title determined by experience and development potential.
• Location: Hybrid, with at least three days per week onsite at our San Diego headquarters, plus occasional travel for investor meetings and events (as budget allows).
• $10,000-15,000 relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
• Benefits:
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off and Generous Holiday Schedule (15 company holiday days)
• 401(k) Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

How To Apply: Please submit your resume and short answer response through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4485248130/?alternateChannel=search&refId=HmvAvu7aUJ18BN4jXC6zvg%3D%3D&trackingId=Uwn2etp1FoxZPSLPMB%2BChw%3D%3D

In place of a cover letter, please upload a short answer statement in Additional Documentation field (up to 250 words in your own voice) on why this role and Founders First interests you.

Equal Opportunity Employer: At Founders First, we aspire for all entrepreneurs to thrive, advancing quality jobs and wealth creation in underinvested communities across the U.S. We bring that same commitment to our own team and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification listed.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act and applicable local laws. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.