Investment Banking Associate 2 Consumer M&A (global middle market)

Our client is seeking an experienced Investment Banking Associate to join its Consumer & RetailM&A team in NYC. The team advises clients on mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions across a broad range of consumer-facing industries, providing exposure to founder-owned businesses, private equity-backed companies, and established corporate clients.

The ideal candidate will bring strong M&A execution experience, technical expertise, and the ability to manage transaction processes in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial investment banking environment. This individual will work closely with senior bankers, clients, and junior team members across all phases of transaction execution, while contributing to business development and client relationship management.

Consumer & Retail Coverage Areas

The team covers a broad range of consumer and retail subsectors, which may include:

Consumer Products & Brands: Branded consumer products, beauty and personal care, cosmetics, apparel, footwear, accessories, and lifestyle brands.

Food & Beverage: Food manufacturers, branded food products, specialty foods, beverage companies, snacks, ingredients, and related consumer businesses.

Restaurants & Foodservice: Quick-service and fast-casual restaurants, full-service dining, franchised concepts, catering, and foodservice businesses.

Retail & E-Commerce: Specialty retail, omnichannel businesses, direct-to-consumer brands, online marketplaces, and digital commerce platforms.

Consumer Health & Wellness: Health and wellness products, nutrition, supplements, fitness, personal care, and other wellness-oriented consumer businesses.

Consumer Services & Experiences: Leisure, recreation, hospitality-related services, entertainment, and other consumer-facing service businesses.

Pet & Animal Products: Pet food, pet products, specialty retail, and related services.

Home & Lifestyle: Home furnishings, décor, housewares, outdoor living, and other lifestyle-oriented products.

Key Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day execution of M&A transactions, including sell-side and buy-side advisory engagements, from initial preparation through closing.

Develop and review financial models, valuation analyses, and transaction analyses, including DCF, comparable company, precedent transaction, and merger analyses.

Prepare and oversee the development of pitch books, confidential information memoranda, management presentations, buyer presentations, and other client-facing materials.

Manage analysts and junior team members, providing guidance on financial modeling, valuation, industry research, and presentation development.

Coordinate due diligence processes, manage data rooms, and facilitate communication among clients, prospective buyers, legal counsel, accountants, and other transaction parties.

Conduct industry and market research across Consumer & Retail subsectors to identify market trends, strategic opportunities, valuation benchmarks, and potential acquirers.

Support senior bankers in business development efforts, including prospect identification, buyer mapping, company profiling, and preparation of new business pitches.

Build and maintain client relationships while delivering high-quality work and sound transaction advice under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

2-3+ years of investment banking experience, ideally with a strong emphasis on M&A execution.

Experience in Consumer & Retail investment banking or demonstrated transaction experience across relevant consumer subsectors preferred.

Proven ability to manage complex transaction processes and coordinate multiple workstreams.

Strong financial modeling, valuation, accounting, and analytical skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients, senior executives, and transaction counterparties.

Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor junior team members while maintaining high standards of execution.

Strong work ethic, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a demanding environment.

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degree is a plus.