Investment Banking Associate

Connect Search, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Search, LLC invites an Investment Banking Associate to lead critical M&A and capital markets work from our Chicago Center. You will build financial models, analyze earnings quality, and prepare materials for client meetings and investor presentations with senior bankers.

The ideal candidate holds 3–6 years of relevant finance experience, strong modeling skills, and the ability to manage multiple deal workstreams in a fast-paced environment. On-site engagement in Chicago is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
• Approximately 3–6 years of relevant investment banking, transaction advisory, corporate development, private equity, or closely related transaction experience.
• Prior investment banking experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or executing M&A and/or capital-raising transactions.
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation capabilities.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, corporate finance, capital structures, and transaction mechanics.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to create polished, executive-level presentations and transaction materials.

Responsibilities

• Execute sell-side and buy-side M&A assignments, capital raises, recapitalizations, and other strategic advisory engagements.
• Build and maintain detailed financial models incorporating historical performance, operating assumptions, forecasts, transaction scenarios, and capital structures.
• Perform company and transaction valuations using discounted cash flow analysis, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, and other relevant methodologies.
• Analyze company financial statements, operating metrics, industry trends, competitive positioning, and key value drivers.
• Prepare confidential information memoranda, management presentations, pitch books, valuation materials, buyer presentations, and other transaction documents.
• Coordinate transaction processes and maintain timelines, diligence requests, data rooms, buyer communications, and other critical deal workstreams.
• Work directly with client management teams to gather financial and operational information and translate it into transaction analysis and marketing materials.
• Support senior bankers during management presentations, buyer meetings, investor discussions, and other client interactions.
• Evaluate potential strategic and financial buyers and conduct research on private equity sponsors, corporations, investors, and relevant industry participants.
• Assist with indications of interest, letters of intent, transaction structures, financing alternatives, and other deal-related analyses.
• Coordinate with attorneys, accountants, consultants, lenders, and other external advisors throughout the transaction process.
• Identify and research potential clients, acquisition targets, industry trends, and transaction opportunities to support business-development initiatives.
• Review work completed by Analysts and provide guidance on financial modeling, valuation, research, and presentation materials.
• Help manage junior team members across transaction assignments while ensuring accuracy and timely completion of deliverables.
• Contribute to internal initiatives designed to strengthen the investment banking platform and improve transaction execution.

Skills

Financial modeling

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Deadline-driven

Executive presentations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

• Our client is a leading independent financial services firm headquartered in Chicago with a national presence across investment banking, capital markets, investment management, and advisory services. Founded in 1937, the organization has built long-standing relationships with corporations, private equity firms, entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and institutional investors.
• The Investment Banking team advises middle‑market companies and financial sponsors on mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, recapitalizations, strategic alternatives, and other complex corporate finance transactions. The platform combines the resources and transaction capabilities of an established financial institution with the accessibility and entrepreneurial environment of a middle‑market advisory firm.
• Chicago, IL (The Loop) - 3 days on‑site
• $$: 140k-170k + 20% bonus

Position Overview

• The Investment Banking Associate will play a central role in executing M&A and capital markets transactions while supporting senior bankers in developing and maintaining client relationships.
• This individual will take ownership of financial analysis, valuation, transaction materials, due diligence, and day‑to‑day deal execution. The Associate will work closely with senior bankers, clients, investors, buyers, private equity sponsors, and other advisors throughout the transaction process.
• The position requires strong technical capabilities combined with the judgment and communication skills necessary to manage multiple workstreams, interact directly with clients, and help guide junior members of the deal team.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute sell‑side and buy‑side M&A assignments, capital raises, recapitalizations, and other strategic advisory engagements
• Build and maintain detailed financial models incorporating historical performance, operating assumptions, forecasts, transaction scenarios, and capital structures
• Perform company and transaction valuations using discounted cash flow analysis, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, and other relevant methodologies
• Analyze company financial statements, operating metrics, industry trends, competitive positioning, and key value drivers
• Prepare confidential information memoranda, management presentations, pitch books, valuation materials, buyer presentations, and other transaction documents
• Coordinate transaction processes and maintain timelines, diligence requests, data rooms, buyer communications, and other critical deal workstreams
• Work directly with client management teams to gather financial and operational information and translate it into transaction analysis and marketing materials
• Support senior bankers during management presentations, buyer meetings, investor discussions, and other client interactions
• Evaluate potential strategic and financial buyers and conduct research on private equity sponsors, corporations, investors, and relevant industry participants
• Assist with indications of interest, letters of intent, transaction structures, financing alternatives, and other deal‑related analyses
• Coordinate with attorneys, accountants, consultants, lenders, and other external advisors throughout the transaction process
• Identify and research potential clients, acquisition targets, industry trends, and transaction opportunities to support business‑development initiatives
• Review work completed by Analysts and provide guidance on financial modeling, valuation, research, and presentation materials
• Help manage junior team members across transaction assignments while ensuring accuracy and timely completion of deliverables
• Contribute to internal initiatives designed to strengthen the investment banking platform and improve transaction execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline
• Approximately 3–6 years of relevant investment banking, transaction advisory, corporate development, private equity, or closely related transaction experience
• Prior investment banking experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience supporting or executing M&A and/or capital‑raising transactions
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation capabilities
• Strong understanding of financial statements, corporate finance, capital structures, and transaction mechanics
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to create polished, executive‑level presentations and transaction materials
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with clients and senior professionals
• Ability to manage several transaction workstreams simultaneously in a deadline‑driven environment
• Comfortable taking ownership of assignments and operating with increasing independence
• Experience reviewing and developing the work of junior investment banking professionals preferred
• Strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, business judgment, and interest in building a long‑term career in investment banking
• FINRA licensing or ability to obtain required securities licenses within the appropriate timeframe