Vice President

Stout is seeking a Vice President to join its Investment Banking team, with a focus on the Defense & Government Services sector. The team advises founder-owned and privately held businesses, private equity firms, and corporate clients across the government contracting market, including companies serving Federal civilian, defense, national security, and intelligence customers.

Our Defense & Government Services team brings extensive transaction experience and relationships across the sector, with particular expertise in areas such as IT services, cybersecurity, defense technology, AI and data analytics, systems engineering and technical services, consulting, and mission support.

As a Vice President, you will have significant responsibility for executing M&A transactions, developing potential and existing client relationships to support origination efforts, and contributing to the continued growth of the Defense & Government Services practice. You will work directly with senior bankers, business owners, executives, private equity investors, and strategic acquirers to shape transaction strategy, lead deal execution, and advise clients throughout the transaction lifecycle.

You will also play an important leadership role within the team by developing junior professionals, strengthening relationships across the government contracting and investor communities, and taking greater ownership of business development and origination.

What You'll Do

• Lead the execution of M&A and other investment banking engagements involving Defense & Government Services companies, with responsibility for transaction strategy, process management, client communication, and execution.
• Partner with senior bankers to develop and execute business development initiatives, including client coverage, prospecting, relationship development, idea generation, and transaction origination.
• Build and maintain relationships with founders, business owners, senior executives, private equity firms, strategic buyers, and other participants across the government contracting market.
• Advise clients on transaction positioning, valuation, process strategy, buyer and investor considerations, negotiations, and other factors that may affect transaction outcomes.
• Develop a strong understanding of clients’ contract portfolios, customer concentrations, end markets, capabilities, competitive positioning, and growth opportunities and incorporate those considerations into transaction strategy and positioning.
• Anticipate transaction issues, assess risks and alternatives, and provide recommendations that keep processes moving and support client objectives.
• Direct financial analyses, valuation work, client presentations, confidential information memoranda, management presentations, buyer materials, and other transaction deliverables, with accountability for the quality and substance of the team's work.
• Coordinate internal and external deal teams, including clients, attorneys, accountants, financing sources, consultants, and other advisors.
• Maintain informed perspectives on federal spending and procurement priorities, sector consolidation, acquisition activity, valuation trends, buyer appetite, and other developments affecting Defense & Government Services companies and investors.
• Develop perspectives on relevant subsectors, including IT services, cybersecurity, defense technology, AI and data analytics, systems engineering and technical services, consulting, and mission support.
• Manage and develop Associates, Analysts, and Interns through clear direction, active coaching, constructive feedback, and oversight of engagement responsibilities.
• Collaborate with professionals across Stout's industry and advisory capabilities to bring relevant expertise to client engagements.
• Use AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies appropriately to improve research, analysis, and workflow efficiency while maintaining standards for accuracy, confidentiality, and professional judgment.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, or a related field; MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience, including significant investment banking, M&A advisory, or comparable transaction experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading M&A transactions through the full deal lifecycle, with a strong understanding of sell-side execution.
• Experience advising Government Services, aerospace and defense, technology-enabled services, or other businesses with comparable transaction dynamics strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the government contracting market, including federal customers, contract structures, procurement dynamics, competitive positioning, and the factors that influence valuation and buyer interest, preferred.
• Experience developing client relationships and contributing to business development, client coverage, or transaction origination.
• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to connect financial analysis, industry dynamics, customer and contract considerations, and transaction factors to practical client advice.
• Advanced financial modeling, valuation, analytical, and presentation skills, with strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to lead multiple engagements and workstreams while managing clients, senior professionals, junior team members, and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with founders, business owners, senior executives, investors, and transaction counterparties.
• Experience managing and developing junior investment banking professionals.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled tools and an interest in applying emerging technology to research, analysis, and workflow efficiency.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

How You'll Thrive

• Take ownership of client engagements and exercise sound judgment across complex or time-sensitive transaction matters.
• Build trusted relationships with Defense & Government Services executives, business owners, investors, and other market participants and identify opportunities to deepen those relationships over time.
• Develop a strong understanding of clients’ capabilities, customers, contracts, competitive positions, and strategic priorities and translate that knowledge into informed transaction advice.
• Approach business development with initiative, commercial awareness, and a clear understanding of the factors affecting Defense & Government Services companies and their investors.
• Stay informed on federal budget and procurement priorities, M&A activity, valuation trends, and buyer behavior relevant to the sector.
• Communicate clearly and promptly, providing senior bankers, clients, and deal teams with informed recommendations and clear direction.
• Develop junior professionals through active coaching, thoughtful feedback, and high standards for execution.
• Embody Stout's core values by being Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Entrepreneurial, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and a Great Communicator.
• Deliver Relentless Excellence through disciplined execution, strong client service, and a commitment to the quality of your work and the experience of your colleagues.

Why Stout?

At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life.

We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve.

We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals.

Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.

Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

Stout is required by applicable state and local laws to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The range for this role considers several factors including but not limited to prior work and industry experience, education level, and unique skills. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $175,000 - $215,000 Annual. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan. Information about benefits can be found here -