William Blair & Company, L.L.C. is a global investment firm offering investment banking, asset management, equity research, institutional and private brokerage, and private capital to individual, institutional, and issuing clients. Since 1935, we have been committed to helping clients achieve their financial objectives. As an independent, employee-owned firm, our philosophy is to serve our clients' interests first and foremost. We place a high value on the enduring nature of our client relationships, the quality of our products and services, and the continuity and integrity of our people. William Blair & Company has offices in Chicago, Boston, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.williamblair.com.

The Associate Opportunity 

We are seeking experienced Investment Banking Associates to add to our team. 

Our Associates work on a variety of transactions, including equity offerings, M&A advisory assignments, private equity placements, and strategic options studies.

Small deal teams and our focus on middle-market, high-growth companies afford Associates the unique opportunity to work directly with senior-level client executives and top-level bankers. Associates assume a critical role in the entire transaction process, including the initial pitch, due diligence, preparing a written prospectus or memorandum, meeting with potential investors/buyers, negotiating key terms, closing the deal and maintaining the client relationship.

William Blair & Company Associates typically begin as generalists and, after two to three years, move into a specific practice area (specialties include Business Services, Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology, Financial Sponsors, M&A and Private Equity Placements). Most of our Associates are located in the firm's Chicago headquarters. However, the firm also has established Corporate Finance offices in Boston, London, New York, San Francisco and Shanghai. William Blair & Company's environment is unique in the investment banking profession. While the work is rigorous and demands a high level of commitment, the firm maintains an open, cooperative and collegial atmosphere. Most Associates at William Blair & Company have MBA degrees and can demonstrate strong evidence of academic and professional achievement in previous endeavors. We look for candidates who are effective at working in a team environment, and who are interested in a long-term career with William Blair & Company.

Qualifications

• MBA required; top-tiered business school preferred
• Investment banking experience is a strong plus
• Series 7 and 63 required within 90 days of hire
• Strong accounting and financial statement analysis skills with attention to detail
• Committed to satisfying internal and external customers
• Proficiency in financial modeling techniques using Excel
• Ability to manage expectations of senior bankers, analysts and clients while working on projects simultaneously
• Excellent mathematical, writing, verbal and computer skills

As a William Blair & Company associate, you’ll enjoy Medical, Dental, Life and AD&D Insurance, along with a generous profit sharing program that includes a 401K plan in addition to a firm contribution.  We also offer three weeks of vacation, flexible spending accounts, a business casual dress code, a 75% discounted commissions on trades, and discounts at restaurants, museums, parks and retailers.  

William Blair & Company, LLC 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, sex, age, national origin, unfavorable discharge from 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