Associate, Business Services - Investment Banking

Investment Banking Associate

Stout is seeking an Associate to join its Investment Banking team, with a focus on the Business Services sector. The team advises founder-owned businesses, private equity firms, and corporate clients across the Business Services sectors, drawing on decades of transaction experience and deep relationships with financial sponsors and strategic buyers.

As an Associate, you will take meaningful ownership of M&A and other advisory engagements while working closely with senior bankers and client executives throughout the transaction process. You will develop deeper expertise across the Business Services sector, contribute to transaction strategy and business development, and take on increasing responsibility for client relationships as your experience grows.

You will also play an important role in developing junior professionals and contributing to a team that combines sector knowledge, senior-level relationships, and hands-on execution to advise clients through complex strategic and financial decisions.

What You'll Do

• Manage day-to-day execution of M&A and other investment banking engagements, anticipating transaction needs and working with senior bankers and clients to keep processes on track.
• Work directly with senior bankers and client executives, including CEOs, CFOs, and other members of senior management, throughout the transaction process.
• Coordinate key phases of sell-side and other advisory processes, including preparation, buyer or investor outreach, management presentations, due diligence, negotiations, and closing activities.
• Develop and review financial models, valuation analyses, client presentations, marketing materials, and other transaction deliverables that support transaction strategy and client recommendations.
• Develop informed perspectives on client businesses, industry dynamics, market activity, and potential buyers or investors to support transaction strategy and client discussions.
• Contribute to business development and client coverage through company and sector research, idea generation, prospect identification, and pitch development.
• Use AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies appropriately to improve research, analysis, and workflow efficiency.
• Mentor Analysts and Interns, providing clear direction and constructive feedback while maintaining high standards for work quality and execution.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant professional experience, including meaningful investment banking, M&A advisory, transaction advisory, or comparable transaction experience.
• Strong understanding of the sell-side M&A process and the responsibilities required to execute a transaction from preparation through closing.
• Advanced financial modeling, valuation, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• Ability to connect financial analysis, industry dynamics, and transaction considerations to develop thoughtful perspectives and recommendations for clients.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with strong working knowledge of Word and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate, and well-structured client materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with clients, senior professionals, and transaction counter parties.
• Sound judgment and the ability to anticipate issues, establish priorities, and manage multiple work streams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership over work product and deadlines.
• Experience mentoring junior team members.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and earn trust through preparation, consistent execution, and responsiveness.
• Familiarity with, or interest in, AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies that can improve research, analysis, and productivity.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

How You'll Thrive

• Take ownership of your work, exercise sound judgment, and deliver consistently high-quality results.
• Communicate clearly and respond promptly to clients, senior bankers, colleagues, and transaction participants.
• Build trusted relationships through preparation, responsiveness, and consistent execution.
• Invest in the development of junior team members while continuing to strengthen your own technical, sector, and client-facing capabilities.
• 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…