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Join William Blair, the Premier Global Partnership.

The Investment Banking Financial Sponsors Group Analyst will support new business development, transaction execution, and the delivery of investment banking products and services, with a focus on William Blair’s relationships with private equity firms that acquire/make significant investments in private companies. Work closely with senior investment bankers who lead this practice area and participate in meetings (in-person and virtual) with the covered private equity firms. Conduct company and industry research, prepare analyses, and maintain standing reports. Contribute to the creation of client-facing materials, including new business pitches. 

About Financial Sponsors Group

William Blair’s Financial Sponsors Group is focused on developing and institutionalizing relationships with leading private equity firms and family offices around the world. Many of these relationships have been developed over multiple decades providing us with senior-level access and credibility with the key decision-makers at each firm. With 100+ completed transactions annually with PE firms, we have proprietary insights into each financial sponsor's unique investment criteria, approach, and behavior. Our team's highly relevant experience with the private equity community uniquely positions William Blair to deliver exceptional results for our M&A sell-side clients and serve as close, trusted advisors to our sponsor clients.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Support the firm’s coverage of private equity firms by developing an understanding of each firm’s mandates, portfolio strategies, and long-term capital objectives.
• Prepare client-facing materials to support private equity engagement and coverage initiatives.
• Collaborate with sector, product, and founder/family-owned business teams to support coverage efforts and origination initiatives.
• Assist with analytical work related to mergers, acquisitions, and capital-raising transactions, including the preparation of valuation and presentation materials.
• Conduct research, due diligence, and documentation for potential and active transactions, identifying key considerations and escalating issues as appropriate.
• Draft management presentations, proposals, and marketing materials for clients and prospects.
• Participate in client meetings, internal working sessions, and drafting reviews in support of coverage and transaction execution.
• Seek opportunities to improve internal processes and workflows to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Develop an understanding of macroeconomic and industry trends and their implications for clients and investors.
• Mentor summer interns by sharing best practices and providing day-to-day guidance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as requested.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Internship or prior work experience in financial services industry preferred.
• Proven track record in university studies required.
• SIE Exam, Series 79, and Series 63 must be acquired within 150 days of employment (for US experienced hires only).
• Detail orientation with strong analytical abilities.
• Excellent mathematical, writing, verbal and computer skills.
• Ability to adapt to new tasks with little notice.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong desire to win.
• Sound judgement.
• Thorough understanding of accounting and finance.
• Commitment to satisfying internal and external customers.
• Travel required: approximately 5%

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A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range at time of posting is below. Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. Actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, specific degrees and certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position.

This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance) and/or commission-based incentives.

Our featured benefit offerings include medical, dental and vision coverage, employer paid short & long-term disability and life insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, paid time off, Maven family & fertility benefit, parental leave (including adoption, surrogacy, and foster placement), as well as other voluntary benefits.  

Salary Range$115,000—$115,000 USD

 

About Our Firm

William Blair strives to attract qualified candidates who specialize in investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, and other strategic resource groups. We are committed to empowering our colleagues to deliver client success and engage in our communities. Our firm has delivered trusted advice for nine decades, continuing to deepen our expertise and relationships across asset classes and markets throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet clients’ evolving needs amid dynamic market conditions and varying industries. What sets us apart is that we are an independent partnership, with colleagues who have unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We empower our people to bring their best thinking so we can deliver the tailored, thoughtful work and problem-solving abilities that our clients expect. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting williamblair.com.

William Blair is an equal opportunity employer. It complies with all laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in employment practice because of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from the military service or on the basis of a physical or mental disability that is unrelated to the employee's ability to perform the duties of the job applied for. EOE m/f/d/v

Be aware of hiring scams: William Blair has clear processes and guidelines with regards to recruiting. We do not request personal financial information in connection with an employment application nor does William Blair extend any employment offers without first conducting an interview through one of its registered offices. William Blair does not use instant messaging services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or iMessage as part of the recruiting or interviewing process.

Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: William Blair does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be considered as a valid submission.

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