M&A Advisory Associate (Merger and Acquisition Advisory)

Job Description

Job Description

CastleOak Securities, L.P. ("CastleOak") is a premier boutique investment bank focused on providing capital markets services to a broad array of corporate, governmental and institutional clients.  Headquartered in New York City, the firm specializes in primary and secondary sales and trading of fixed income, equity, and money market securities, as well as financial advisory (including M&A and private placements).  Since its founding in 2006, CastleOak has assisted its clients on public offerings totaling over $4 trillion.  CastleOak's professionals average 20 years of successful Wall Street experience and ongoing working relationships with some of the largest global corporations. 

We offer a competitive total rewards package including:

• Health insurance: competitive medical, dental, and vision programs
• Commuter benefits
• 401(k) with a company match 
• Charitable contribution match program for employees
• Hybrid Workplace
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid time off: vacation, personal days, sick leave, etc.

Role Overview

The M&A Advisory Associate is a critical member of our M&A Advisory team, reporting directly to the Head of M&A Advisory. As a generalist, you will support the firm's team of senior bankers who have relationships and industry expertise spanning a variety of verticals including Telecom, Technology, and Industrials. As a smaller, nimble firm, our size is our competitive advantage. Joining our entrepreneurial team offers you significantly higher internal visibility, direct access to senior leadership, and an accelerated career trajectory compared to larger institutions. We are a deeply collaborative, people-first firm that prioritizes employee well-being, offering a highly competitive hybrid work environment and robust benefits that demonstrate how much we value our team.

In this role, you will be responsible for executing M&A advisory engagements for new and existing clients, including buy-side and sell-side mandates, strategic asset reviews, valuation assessments, and fairness opinions. As a project leader, you will work closely with client executives, internal deal teams, external counsel, accountants, consultants, and lenders.

Essential Responsibilities

• Design, build, and present financial analysis, valuation models, and pro forma financial modeling.
• Research, write, and structure client-ready presentations, including pitchbooks and responses to competitive RFPs.
• Conduct tailored acquisition screens, identify bolt-on targets, and spearhead roll-up consolidation studies for clients across multiple industries.
• Design and draft sell-side marketing documents, including teasers, confidential information memoranda (CIMs), and private placement memoranda.
• Identify, map, and contact potential strategic and financial buyers and sellers.
• Review, analyze, and assist in negotiating NDAs, LOIs, term sheets, and definitive purchase agreements.
• Manage, mentor, and cultivate junior team members by providing consistent, constructive performance feedback.
• Analyze M&A trends across industries to drive client engagement and deal origination.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 2+ years of dedicated M&A advisory deal execution experience.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related business field.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Financial Knowledge: Strong grasp of US GAAP, merger accounting, and M&A takeover principles.
• Execution Skills: Proven ability to build financial models, draft presentations, meet tight deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Core Attributes: Strong accountability, exceptional professional ethics, and an ability to thrive in a high-growth, generalist environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Associate or Analyst experience within a specialized M&A Advisory unit of an investment bank.
• Active FINRA Series 79 and 63 licenses (or SIE equivalent); or willingness to obtain them within 3 months of hire.
• Proficiency using financial databases such as PitchBook, S&P Capital IQ, or FactSet.
• Prior experience managing or mentoring junior team members.

Additional Details/Benefits

• Location: New York, NY
• Work Type: Full-time, Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)
• Travel: 20%–30%
• Compensation: $125,000 - $150,000 base salary, eligible for a performance-based discretionary bonus
• Core Benefits: Company-paid $300,000 life insurance policy, alongside comprehensive health and retirement packages.

NYC Pay Range

$125,000—$150,000 USD

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition (including pregnancy and related conditions), physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, and/or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please do not solicit employees of the firm directly regarding open positions.