Associate, Business Services - Investment Banking

Stout Risius Ross, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards program

Discretionary time off

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Stout, an investment banking team focused on the Business Services sector, is seeking an Associate to join its team in Chicago. You will own M&A engagements, working closely with senior bankers and client executives to drive transactions from start to finish.

You’ll build financial models, craft client materials, and contribute to strategy and business development. You’ll also mentor Analysts and Interns while embracing AI-enabled tools to improve research and execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, or related field.
• 3+ years of relevant investment banking or M&A advisory experience.
• Strong understanding of the sell-side M&A process.
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation skills.
• Excellent Excel and PowerPoint; proficient in Word.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day execution of M&A and other advisory engagements with senior bankers and clients.
• Coordinate phases of sell-side and other processes: prep, outreach, due diligence, negotiations, closing.
• Develop and review financial models, valuations, presentations, and other deliverables.
• Provide market insights and client perspectives to support strategy and discussions.
• Support business development through research, prospecting and pitch development.
• Mentor Analysts and Interns, guiding high-quality work and development.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to improve research and workflow efficiency.

Skills

M&A experience

Client communication

Relationship building

Mentoring

AI tools familiarity

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/ Economics/ Accounting/ Business

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

At Stout, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do – we call it Relentless Excellence. Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team.

Impact You’ll Make

Stout is seeking an Associate to join its Investment Banking team, with a focus on the Business Services sector. The team advises founder-owned businesses, private equity firms, and corporate clients across the Business Services sectors, drawing on decades of transaction experience and deep relationships with financial sponsors and strategic buyers. As an Associate, you will take meaningful ownership of M&A and other advisory engagements while working closely with senior bankers and client executives throughout the transaction process. You will develop deeper expertise across the Business Services sector, contribute to transaction strategy and business development, and take on increasing responsibility for client relationships as your experience grows. You will also play an important role in developing junior professionals and contributing to a team that combines sector knowledge, senior‑level relationships, and hands‑on execution to advise clients through complex strategic and financial decisions.

What You’ll Do

• Manage day‑to‑day execution of M&A and other investment banking engagements, anticipating transaction needs and working with senior bankers and clients to keep processes on track.
• Work directly with senior bankers and client executives, including CEOs, CFOs, and other members of senior management, throughout the transaction process.
• Coordinate key phases of sell‑side and other advisory processes, including preparation, buyer or investor outreach, management presentations, due diligence, negotiations, and closing activities.
• Develop and review financial models, valuation analyses, client presentations, marketing materials, and other transaction deliverables that support transaction strategy and client recommendations.
• Develop informed perspectives on client businesses, industry dynamics, market activity, and potential buyers or investors to support transaction strategy and client discussions.
• Contribute to business development and client coverage through company and sector research, idea generation, prospect identification, and pitch development.
• Use AI‑enabled tools and emerging technologies appropriately to improve research, analysis, and workflow efficiency.
• Mentor Analysts and Interns, providing clear direction and constructive feedback while maintaining high standards for work quality and execution.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant professional experience, including meaningful investment banking, M&A advisory, transaction advisory, or comparable transaction experience.
• Strong understanding of the sell‑side M&A process and the responsibilities required to execute a transaction from preparation through closing.
• Advanced financial modeling, valuation, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• Ability to connect financial analysis, industry dynamics, and transaction considerations to develop thoughtful perspectives and recommendations for clients.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with strong working knowledge of Word and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate, and well‑structured client materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with clients, senior professionals, and transaction counterparties.
• Sound judgment and the ability to anticipate issues, establish priorities, and manage multiple workstreams in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership over work product and deadlines.
• Experience mentoring junior team members.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and earn trust through preparation, consistent execution, and responsiveness.
• Familiarity with, or interest in, AI‑enabled tools and emerging technologies that can improve research, analysis, and productivity.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

How You’ll Thrive

• Take ownership of your work, exercise sound judgment, and deliver consistently high‑quality results.
• Communicate clearly and respond promptly to clients, senior bankers, colleagues, and transaction participants.
• Build trusted relationships through preparation, responsiveness, and consistent execution.
• Invest in the development of junior team members while continuing to strengthen your own technical, sector, and client‑facing capabilities.
• Embod Stout's core values by being Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Entrepreneurial, Relationship‑Focused, Super‑Responsive, and a Great Communicator.
• Deliver Relentless Excellence through disciplined execution, strong client service, and a commitment to the quality of your work and the experience of your colleagues.

Why Stout?

At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life. We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve. We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals. Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work‑life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.

Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success. https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits

Additional Information

Benefits

Stout is committed to providing an alternative way to express your interest in our job opportunities if a disability inhibits you from applying online. Please call us at 248‑208‑8800 to communicate that you are utilizing this accommodation to express interest in a specific open position. Please reference the job code to help us process your request. Please understand that this option is only available to those in need of an accommodation related to a disability. All other requests regarding status of an application or a resume will not be provided by the use of this phone number.

Benefits Statement

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all‑inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

Compensation

Stout is required by applicable state and local laws to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The range for this role considers several factors including but not limited to prior work and industry experience, education level, and unique skills. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $145,000 - $175,000 Annual. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan.

Information about benefits can be found here - https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits.

Career Growth

At Stout, whether you’re launching your career or bringing decades of expertise, you’ll find the challenges, collaboration, and support that fuel real growth. We invest in our people because we know that exceptional client service starts with how we take care of our own. We reward outstanding performance, encourage continuous learning, and foster a culture where different perspectives strengthen our work and our team.