Investment Banking Analyst - Family Office

The Investment Banking Family Office Analyst will support new business development, transaction execution, and the delivery of investment banking products and services, with a focus on the firm’s relationships with large family offices that acquire/make significant investments in private companies. Work closely with the senior investment banker who leads this practice area and participate in meetings (in-person and virtual) with the covered family offices. Collaborate with all of the firm’s investment bankers in connecting their private company clients with family offices as providers of long-term, relationship-oriented capital. Conduct company and industry research, prepare analytical materials and maintain standing reports. Contribute to the creation of client-facing materials, including new business pitches. 

About Financial Sponsors Group

Our Financial Sponsors Group is focused on developing and institutionalizing relationships with leading private equity firms and family offices around the world. Many of these relationships have been developed over multiple decades providing us with senior-level access and credibility with the key decision-makers at each firm. With 50 to 100 completed transactions annually with PE firms and family offices, we have proprietary insights into each financial sponsor's unique investment criteria, approach, and behavior. Our team's highly relevant experience with the private equity and family office communities uniquely positions William Blair to deliver exceptional results for our M&A sell-side clients and serve as close, trusted advisors to our sponsor clients.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Support the firm’s coverage of family offices by developing an understanding of each firm’s mandates, portfolio strategies, and long-term capital objectives.


• Conduct research and portfolio mapping across the family office universe.


• Prepare client-facing materials to support family office engagement and coverage initiatives.


• Support the planning and execution of William Blair’s annual Family Office Convening, including company sourcing, investor outreach, cross-functional coordination, and on-site execution.


• Collaborate with sector, product, and founder/family-owned business teams to support coverage efforts and origination initiatives.


• Assist with analytical work related to mergers, acquisitions, and capital-raising transactions, including the preparation of valuation and presentation materials.


• Conduct research, due diligence, and documentation for potential and active transactions, identifying key considerations and escalating issues as appropriate.


• Draft management presentations, proposals, and marketing materials for clients and prospects.


• Participate in client meetings, internal working sessions, and drafting reviews in support of coverage and transaction execution.


• Seek opportunities to improve processes and workflows to enhance efficiency and consistency.


• Develop an understanding of macroeconomic and industry trends and their implications for clients and investors.


• Mentor summer interns and support junior analysts by sharing best practices and providing day-to-day guidance.


• Ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.


• Perform additional responsibilities as requested.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required


• Internship or prior work experience in financial services industry preferred


• Proven track record in university studies required


• SIE Exam, Series 79, and Series 63 must be acquired within 150 days of employment


• Detail orientation with strong analytical abilities


• Excellent mathematical, writing, verbal and computer skills


• Ability to adapt to new tasks with little notice


• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously


• Strong desire to win


• Sound judgement


• Thorough understanding of accounting and finance


• Commitment to satisfying internal and external customers


• Travel required: approximately 5%