Analyst

You'll work across both our Venture Building and M&A divisions, gaining exposure to every stage of the investment and company-building lifecycle. You will be directly involved in sourcing, evaluating, and executing new opportunities, as well as supporting portfolio companies on strategic growth initiatives.

About ZNEXT

At ZNEXT, we are building the next generation of technology businesses that unlock human potential. Backed by Italy’s leading educational publishing house Zanichelli Editore, ZNEXT is a €60 million build-and-acquire initiative launched to develop world-class technology businesses in the fields of EdTech, Future of Work, Lifelong Learning, and Wellbeing Technology.

We operate through two synergistic divisions:

  • Venture Building: acting as a co-founder to entrepreneurs building new companies in EdTech, Future of Work, Lifelong Learning and Wellbeing.
  • M&A: acquiring majority stakes in high-potential companies that are ready to scale with smart capital and operational support.

🔗 More at https://www.znext.io/

Mission

We believe that the technologies reshaping how we learn, work, and live will define the next era of progress. That’s why we don’t just invest: we co-build. As co-founders, operators, and growth catalysts, we bring together patient capital, hands-on support, and an ecosystem of educators, technologists, and industry leaders to help visionary teams go further, faster.

Our approach is data-informed, human-centric, and long-term. We’re not chasing short-term wins. We’re building a European ecosystem that reimagines education and work from first principles. Our ambition goes beyond financial returns: we aim to contribute to technological, cultural, and social progress through companies that outlast hype cycles and shape generations.

Values

At ZNEXT, we act as catalysts for the companies and people that will define the future of learning, work, and human potential. We’re not here to follow playbooks. We partner with those who want to rewrite them.

Our values reflect the kind of founders, leaders, and teammates we seek to build with:

  • Knowledge hunters Relentlessly curious, always asking questions;
  • Adaptable - Learn from failure, continuously evolving, and embracing change;
  • Data-backed human instinct Blending scientific data and analytics with gut instinct;
  • Vibrant leaders Energize teams and unlock human potential;
  • Commercial conviction Unwavering in vision but commercially pragmatic, prioritising product-market-fit.

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Offer Details

  • Role: Analyst
  • Location: Milan
  • Contract type: full-time
  • Seniority: entry-level (1-2 years of experience)
  • Start date: immediate
  • Compensation: competitive salary + benefit package

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What We're looking for

Education and background

  • Master’s degree from a top-tier university in Business, Finance or Economics or other quantitative fields
  • Strong academic track record with demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, finance, or strategy
  • 1–2 years of experience in Investment Banking, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Management Consulting, or high-growth technology companies.
  • International exposure (e.g. study or work experience abroad, double degrees, or multilingualism) is a plus

Technical Skills

  • Strong command of Excel with the ability to build and manage complex financial models including DCF, LBO, merger models, scenario and sensitivity analyses
  • Solid understanding of valuation techniques, unit economics, and financial statement analysis, with the capacity to interpret and stress-test business cases and operating models
  • Proficiency in presentation tools and visual storytelling, including crafting high-quality presentations for investment committees, management teams, and external stakeholders
  • Familiarity with market intelligence and research tools such, ability to conduct market sizing, TAM/SAM/SOM estimations, and segmentation analysis independently
  • Comfort with cap table modeling, investor returns modeling (IRR, MoIC), and transaction structuring fundamentals
  • Strong attention to detail, analytical rigor, and commitment to delivering high-quality, error-free work under tight deadlines

Mindset and values

We’re looking for individuals who are empathetic, humble, curious by nature, driven by a genuine passion for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and eager to grow in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

You are someone who asks the right questions, not just follows instructions. You take ownership of your work, demonstrate a hands-on approach, and are unafraid to roll up your sleeves when faced with a challenge. You thrive in dynamic and ambiguous situations, adapting quickly and learning fast when the context changes.

You combine strong analytical thinking with the ability to zoom out and connect dots between data, market trends, and business strategy. You are energised by the opportunity to work at the intersection of start-up creation, technology, and investments, and you are motivated by the impact that companies can have on how people learn, work, and live.

You believe in teamwork, diversity of thought, and bringing a positive, collaborative energy to everything you do. While you dream big, you also understand the importance of commercial reality: you know that ambition must be grounded in rigorous analysis, market validation, and sustainable business models.

Languages

Fluent in Italian and English. A third language is a plus.

ZNEXT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.All hiring decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We are dedicated to ensuring a respectful, supportive, and harassment-free environment for all team members.
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