Investment Banking Principal/VP

Fifth Third; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Fifth Third is seeking a Investment Banking Principal/VP in Cleveland to lead the pitching and execution of CIB transactions. You will supervise Associates and Analysts, oversee modeling accuracy, and create high-impact materials for client presentations.

You will work with senior bankers, manage priorities across deals, and ensure risk, confidentiality, and compliance across workstreams while supporting talent development and succession planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field; MBA or CFA preferred.
• Strong track record in originating and closing complex financial transactions.
• Excellent presentation skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to lead junior talent and mentor teams.

Responsibilities

• Understand and evaluate complex financial models.
• Perform complex financial analysis.
• Create high-impact pitch materials using PowerPoint, Excel, Word.
• Lead teams under pressure in execution of transactions.
• Interact with senior bankers and manage multiple high-priority opportunities.

Skills

Financial modeling

Presentation skills

PowerPoint

Excel

Client communication

Mentoring juniors

Risk management

Education

MBA

CFA (preferred)

Tools

Bloomberg

Capital IQ

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Provide leadership in the pitching and execution of CIB transactions while providing support to the Managing Directors in the day to day management of the team's Associates and Analysts to ensure that junior resources are allocated appropriately across the groups projects and that the high-priority projects are getting the appropriate attention. The Principal will play a leadership role in the oversight of the groups modeling and analytical capabilities with limited supervision will be responsible for ensuring that the team is creating and delivering high-quality analysis and materials. The Principal will be the point person in creating high-impact pitch materials and will run the execution processes for transactions. The Principal may be responsible for direct day to day supervision of Associates and Analysts, providing employees timely, candid and constructive performance feedback; developing employees to their fullest potential and providing challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth; identifying and developing appropriate talent pool to ensure adequate bench strength and succession planning; recognizing and rewarding employees for accomplishments.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understand and evaluate complex financial models.
• Perform complex financial analysis.
• Create high-impact presentation materials using PowerPoint, Excel, Word and other relevant software programs.
• Work well as part of a team in a high stress environment.
• Develop good working relationships with peers and senior bankers in Corporate & Investment Bank and the rest of the organization.
• Manage priorities while working on a number of high priority opportunities simultaneously.
• Apply a strong background in credit and corporate finace to CIB transactions.
• Serve as support to senior bankers and be capable of making internal and external presentations to support the efforts of the Managing Directors on the team.
• Interact independently with all important constituencies in the course of executing and closing transactions.
• Ensure adherence to risk, compliance, confidentiality, and information barrier requirements across all workstreams.

Other Duties: Performing other duties as assigned, adapting to new tasks or shifts in priorities as necessary to support your team’s and the company’s mission.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree/certification (e.g., CFA) strongly preferred but not required. 7-10 years of total M&A investment banking experience, including prior Associate-level responsibilities. Proven track record of success in working as a part of a team to originate, and close complex financial transactions. Excellent presentation skills, both oral and written. Strong relationship building skills. Strong Credit Skills The ability to interact effectively with senior executives inside and outside our organization. Expertise in one or more industries. Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 79, and Series 63 licenses (or ability to maintain/obtain within company policy). Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Expertise in reviewing complex financial models and valuation work product; ability to translate analytical and credit findings into actionable recommendations.
• Strong client-facing communication skills; capable of leading portions of meetings, managing expectations, and delivering concise updates.
• Deep familiarity with legal documentation, diligence scopes, and transaction processes; adept at navigating issues and driving resolution.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality; sets standards for accuracy, consistency, and presentation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and mentor junior talent and to foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
• Fluency with financial databases and platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, Capital IQ).

SKILLS FOR SUCCESS:

• Execution Leadership: Anticipate roadblocks, manage critical paths, and ensure on-time, on-quality delivery across complex engagements.
• Client Impact: Elevate client dialogue with insights on valuation, credit, process strategy, and market dynamics.
• Commercial Acumen: Support origination with idea generation and by identifying cross-sell opportunities across the platform.
• Team Building: Develop junior talent through structured feedback, training moments, and role-modeling of best practices.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate operational, reputational, and compliance risks.

DOING THE RIGHT THING:

Our employees take pride in doing the right thing for customers and colleagues as well as being accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and following policies and procedures that protect all our valuable assets -including you.

Investment Banking Principal/VP At Fifth Third, we understand the importance of recognizing our employees for the role they play in improving the lives of our customers, communities and each other. Our Total Rewards include comprehensive benefits and differentiated compensation offerings to give each employee the opportunity to be their best every day. Compensation for this position is largely incentive-based. Incentive compensation is combined with either a base salary or a draw to determine total cash compensation, and incentive compensation is based upon company, line of business and/or individual performance. More information can be obtained upon request. Our extensive benefits programs are designed to support the individual needs of our employees and their families, encompassing physical, financial, emotional and social well-being. You can learn more about those programs on our 53.com Careers page at: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/careers/benefits.html or by consulting with your talent acquisition partner.

LOCATION -- Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is proud to have an engaged and inclusive culture and to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Introduce yourself to our team to stay connected on future opportunities. We look forward to finding the right place for you. Are you ready to take the next step? Fifth Third is a bank that is as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.