Investment Banking Associate | Chicago, IL, USA | In-Office

Investment Banking Associate

Location: Chicago

Level: Associate

Industry: M&A Advisory

We are partnering with a leading global investment banking platform to recruit an Investment Banking Associate to join a high‑performing advisory team. This role offers meaningful responsibility, direct exposure to senior bankers and clients, and hands‑on involvement across both origination and transaction execution. Associates are expected to operate as project managers on live deals while helping mentor and develop junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Support senior bankers in origination and execution activities, including preparation of historical and forecasted financial statements and analysis of strategic transaction alternatives.

• Build, review, and apply valuation and financial models, including comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, discounted cash flow (DCF), and related frameworks.

• Play a central role in transaction execution, managing day‑to‑day workstreams such as data gathering, financial analysis, and preparation of deal documentation.

• Prepare and refine client‑facing materials, including pitch books, management presentations, and transaction marketing documents.

• Coordinate internal and external parties during live deals, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and quality standards are met.

• Manage and review work produced by analysts and junior team members, providing guidance and feedback.

• Prepare analytical materials to support internal approval processes, including credit, compliance, engagement committee, and balance sheet reviews.

• Conduct business, operational, and portfolio analyses, supporting risk/return assessments and strategic decision‑making.

• Compile and analyze industry, market, and shareholder data, including market share trends and investor profiling.

Candidate Profile

• Strong financial, analytical, and quantitative skillset with demonstrated comfort working with complex financial data.

• Proven ability to perform under pressure, manage multiple workstreams, and meet tight deadlines in a demanding, fast‑paced environment.

• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to effectively manage junior team members.

• Polished interpersonal skills with the ability to interact confidently with senior bankers and clients.

• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and self‑motivated with strong ownership mentality.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; strong financial reporting and presentation skills required.

Education

• Undergraduate degree required.

• Preferred academic background in finance, accounting, business, economics, or mathematics.