Research Associate - Consumer Sector

William Blair; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Employer paid disability and life

401(k)

Profit sharing

Paid time off

Maven family & fertility benefit

Parental leave

Job summary

William Blair, a premier global partnership, seeks a sell-side Research Associate to assemble and validate data on growth companies and conduct fundamental research. You will build and update financial models, analyze industry sectors and securities, and prepare reports for investment teams, clients and prospects.

You will use Microsoft Office, Bloomberg and industry data sources, visit companies and attend conferences, and collaborate with senior analysts to develop investment ideas while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting preferred.
• Professional licenses such as CFA or CPA are advantageous.
• License exams (SIE, Series 7/63/86/87) must be obtained within 180 days.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and validate data on growth companies using various sources.
• Support senior analysts in defining research objectives and approaches.
• Build/update financial models and statistical data for security analyses.
• Prepare internal and external reports, notes, and presentations.
• Attend conferences, visit companies, and maintain executive relationships.
• Ensure compliance with applicable rules, policies and procedures.

Skills

Strong written and verbal comms

Independent work ethic

Client service oriented

Financial modeling

Data validation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

CFA or CPA (preferred)

SIE / Series 7/63/86/87 within 180 days

Tools

Microsoft Office

Bloomberg

Job description

Solutions for Today's Challenges. Vision for Tomorrow's Opportunities. Join William Blair, the Premier Global Partnership. As a sell-side Research Associate, you will assemble and validate data on quality growth companies and conduct fundamental research and analyses on industry sectors, companies and securities at the direction of Senior Research Analysts. Develop and/or update financial models and other statistical data for security analyses. Document findings and develop reports, presentation materials and educational tools for investment teams, clients and prospects. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Bloomberg, and other investment industry standard data sources #LI-CG1 #LI-Hybrid.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and validate data on quality growth companies using internal and external data sources.
• Collect information on industry events, company financials and investment information, and other relevant data to support fundamental research objectives.
• Evaluate potential data sources and ensure data complies with firmwide data standards.
• Assist senior Research Analysts in defining and documenting objectives and approaches for specific research projects and studies.
• Conduct research using predefined parameters.
• Build and/or update financial models and other statistical data to conduct security analyses and identify opportunities to achieve significant investment returns.
• Communicate findings to Research team and refine analyses based on team input.
• Prepare internal and external written reports, notes, presentations, and other materials to communicate research findings, news events investment ideas and opinions resulting from security analyses.
• Visit companies, attend conferences and other relevant events.
• Build and maintain relationships with company executives.
• Document contact points and information obtained to assist in analysis activities.
• Identify and formulate new investment ideas, and issue opinions and recommendations to clients on securities and companies in targeted industry groups in order to generate new business activity.
• Respond to inquiries from clients, investment teams, sales and marketing and the general public regarding individual securities or industry groups.
• Ensure all work activities are in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Additional responsibilities as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• concentration in Finance or Accounting preferred
• CFA, CPA, or technical designation preferred
• 2-5 years of related investment research experience required
• SIE Exam, Series 7, 63, 86, and 87 required (must be obtained within first 180 days)
• Advanced conceptual and critical thinking skills
• Advanced accounting and financial statement analysis skills
• Proficiency in building computer generated financial models
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, and the ability to convey complex financial information in an understandable manner to various audiences
• Client service oriented
• Ability to work independently in support of team goals
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Bloomberg, and other investment industry standard data sources

Salary

Salary Range $150,000 - $160,000 USD

Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. Actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, specific degrees and certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position.

This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance) and/or commission-based incentives.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision coverage
• employer paid short & long-term disability and life insurance
• 401(k)
• profit sharing
• paid time off
• Maven family & fertility benefit
• parental leave (including adoption, surrogacy, and foster placement)
• other voluntary benefits

About Our Firm

William Blair strives to attract qualified candidates who specialize in investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, and other strategic resource groups. We are committed to empowering our colleagues to deliver client success and engage in our communities. Our firm has delivered trusted advice for nine decades, continuing to deepen our expertise and relationships across asset classes and markets throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet clients’ evolving needs amid dynamic market conditions and varying industries.

What sets us apart is that we are an independent partnership, with colleagues who have unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We empower our people to bring their best thinking so we can deliver the tailored, thoughtful work and problem-solving abilities that our clients expect.

William Blair 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, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from the 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

Additional Information

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Contact us should you have any questions or concerns.