Senior Analyst & Experienced Associate Levels | Chicago

We're partnered with a top-tier, growth-oriented investment banking advisory platform that is actively building out its sell-side M&A group in Chicago. The team advises private equity sponsors and founder‑owned / corporate clients on high-impact transactions, with a strong emphasis on sell-side mandates in high-growth sectors.

This platform is known for lean deal teams, meaningful responsibility at the junior levels, and direct exposure to senior bankers and C-suite clients. Both roles are viewed as long-term, career-track opportunities for candidates who want deep execution experience in a highly collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.

You'll work across the full M&A lifecycle, partnering closely with senior bankers on live sell-side processes while gaining exposure to multiple sectors and transaction structures. Junior team members are heavily involved in execution, client interaction, and strategic thinking - not siloed into narrow roles.

The firm places a strong emphasis on training, mentorship, and internal advancement, making this a compelling opportunity for candidates looking to build a durable investment banking career rather than a short-term stepping stone.

• Execute financial analysis, valuation work, and transaction modeling for live and prospective M&A mandates
• Lead or support sell-side diligence, including financial, market, and business analysis
• Prepare and manage marketing materials, including CIMs, management presentations, and diligence exhibits
• Monitor industry trends and macro factors and translate insights into transaction positioning
• Anticipate execution risks and communicate issues to senior team members in real time
• Participate actively in client meetings, management calls, and drafting sessions
• Contribute to business development efforts through market research, sector analysis, and strategic frameworks
• Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, tools, and execution efficiency

Additional expectations at these levels include:

• Reviewing and guiding analyst work product to ensure quality and accuracy
• Acting as a player‑coach by mentoring and developing junior team members
• Taking increased ownership of execution workflows and client deliverables

• Analyst level: 1-3 years of investment banking or equivalent M&A experience
• Associate level: Analyst promote or MBA hire with relevant transaction experience
• Prior sell-side advisory experience strongly preferred
• Strong technical foundation in accounting, financial modeling, and valuation
• Comfortable managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced deal environment
• Clear, professional communicator with strong judgment under pressure
• Detail-oriented, intellectually curious, and execution-focused
• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint
• Bachelor's degree required
• FINRA licensing (SIE, Series 79 & 63) to be obtained within required time frame

• Lean deal teams = real responsibility and visibility
• Heavy sell-side exposure with reputable sponsor and corporate clients
• Strong training culture with hands-on mentorship
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment without heavy bureaucracy
• Clear runway for professional development and internal progression

Operating as part of Phaidon International, Selby Jennings is a multi-award winning global recruitment organization focused on servicing the financial industry.

By breaking down financial markets into individual niches and micro-specialisms, Selby Jennings powers a knowledge-led model, delivering global solutions into local markets. Every consultant is an expert in their field. Structuring our teams to mirror the demands of our clients and candidates, we identify, qualify and present the highest caliber candidates, as well as identifying the best market opportunities for leading finance professionals.

We work in partnership with clients to tailor-make a suitable search model based on the type of assignment and client service level requirements, adopting a bespoke combination of solutions to ensure optimum reach into the active