Client Relationship Specialist Investment Banking (FSG Business Development)

Financial Sponsor Group Analyst

We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to work with the Financial Sponsor Group (FSG) within Global Investment Banking. This person will play an integral role in providing analytical and deal support between Global Investment Banking's industry and product teams on mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and other financial advisory services we provide to our clients. In addition, the position will require the preparation of client presentations and company research to support new business generation with Baird's private equity clients. This person will perform duties in support of the senior members of the Financial Sponsor Group and/or GP Solutions (GPS) Team.

Activities and duties require the development of an understanding of investment banking (including the sell side mergers & acquisitions process), the private equity industry and a high level of organization, expertise and experience in planning and prioritizing tasks. The ideal candidate must have the ability to work in a team-oriented environment, have excellent verbal and written communication skills, knowledge of financial accounting and the ability to deal well with peak workloads. Finally, the candidate should be comfortable providing additional hours of support to the FSG team and the investment banking department outside of normal business hours.

What You'll Do

• Spearhead consistent and strong connectivity between GP Solutions (GPS) and the rest of Global Investment Banking (GIB) in new client development activities
• Coordinate internal and external secondary advisory business development efforts, working with the GPS team to partner with senior bankers across GIB
• Organize and maintain data on target clients and new business opportunities
• Coordinate internal discussions with Financial Sponsor Group bankers, driving efforts to deliver GPS capabilities to Baird's covered sponsor clients
• Coordinate internal discussions with senior industry bankers, identifying opportunities to pitch GPS capabilities alongside M&A and other Baird GIB solutions
• Track, monitor and summarize ongoing internal and external dialogue with and regarding potential new GPS clients
• Track real time M&A pitch activities and spearhead efforts to integrate GPS content into those upcoming meetings, where relevant to do so
• Maintain and organize origination activity data in Excel and Salesforce
• Propel business development activities in support of GPS
• Coordinate client interaction, including topic-driven client dinners, client entertainment events and regular bi-lateral client market updates
• Coordinate efforts to engage with clients at Baird Conferences
• Coordinate efforts to participate in secondary market conferences and related events
• Prepare background summaries for GPS bankers ahead of client development meetings
• Assist GPS bankers in collecting and utilizing research on private equity firms and industry trends via access to external publications and database resources (i.e., Pitchbook, Preqin, CapIQ, etc.)
• Prepare content for GPS internal meetings, including summaries of the forward meeting calendar, live deal updates and summaries of the new client pipeline
• Establish and communicate best practices to enhance efficiency and productivity across GPS workflows

What You'll Gain

• Opportunity to work directly with Director/MD level without layers in between
• Fast paced environment that will enable you to grow as a professional
• Unique culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives while emphasizing teamwork and a strong sense of partnership
• Opportunity to work with industry leaders - since 2010, Baird's Financial Sponsor group has played an integral role on nearly $130 billion worth of equity and M&A transactions.

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree that includes at least one Accounting class is required. 2-5 years of previous experience in a financial services or professional services organization is preferred
• The ideal candidate will possess a strong work ethic, a demonstrated record for excellence and have the ability to function equally well in both a team setting and on a self-directed basis.
• Must be able to work with internal and external clients, including directly reporting to and communicating with senior banker(s) in other Baird offices on a daily basis via email and telephone.
• Must be detail-oriented and recognize errors in numbers, spelling, grammar and punctuation; must demonstrate good follow-through skills.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office, with an emphasis on Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint is required. Must also be very skilled in the use of various internet information data providers and have demonstrated an ability to undertake research projects.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and communication skills required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• $75,000 $100,000 annual salary with bonus potential
• Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or GIB profitability
• In addition to a strong culture that is focused on health and well-being, our organization offers competitive total compensation packages and comprehensive benefits including: protected Friday night and Saturdays, periodic sabbaticals during career, shareholder opportunities, mandatory paid time off (PTO) and robust 401k match and profit-sharing contribution