Senior Associate, Capital Advisors

Practice Overview

Ankura Capital Advisors partners with family‑owned, founder‑led, and PE‑backed companies to deliver outcome‑oriented M&A advice across the full deal lifecycle. We support buy‑side and sell‑side processes, capital raises, carve‑outs, and 363 sales, leveraging deep investor and strategic buyer relationships to run competitive processes, strengthen positioning, and drive value‑maximizing terms.

The Senior Associate will work closely with senior members of the Capital Advisory Group to advise companies, creditors, and other stakeholders on strategic alternatives with an emphasis on M&A execution (sell‑side, buy‑side, and carve‑out transactions), as well as special situations financing, liability management, and restructuring. This role is based in New York City.

• Lead day‑to‑day M&A transaction execution under the direction of Managing Directors (sell‑side and buy‑side processes, carve‑outs, and special situations)
• Build and oversee fully integrated financial models (3‑statement, LBO, merger/accretion‑dilution, and scenario/sensitivity analysis)
• Own valuation and returns work streams, including trading/transaction comps, DCF, precedent transactions, and synergy/standalone analyses
• Coordinate and perform business, financial, and operational due diligence; manage data room workflows, diligence trackers, and Q&A processes
• Create and refine pitch and marketing materials (teasers, CIMs, management presentations, board materials, and IC memoranda)
• Prepare industry and company research and bespoke analysis; translate findings into clear investment/strategic narratives
• Leverage AI‑enabled tools to accelerate research and diligence (e.g., document summarization, extraction of key terms, benchmarking, and first‑draft content creation), while applying professional judgment and quality control
• Use automation to improve repeatable workflows (model checks, comps updates, KPI normalization, and formatting), ensuring auditability and version control
• Develop and maintain knowledge of capital structures and credit products relevant to M&A and special situations
• Build relationships and maintain direct contact with clients, prospective clients, and professional advisors; support negotiation and process management
• Support new business development and marketing initiatives, including identifying targets/buyers and maintaining buyer and sponsor landscapes

• 3+ years of investment banking experience with meaningful M&A transaction exposure
• Prior restructuring, debt advisory, or leveraged finance experience at an investment bank, credit fund, or M&A advisory firm preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree required (strong GPA preferred); MBA preferred
• Advanced financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills; demonstrated aptitude for quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Comfort leveraging AI‑enabled tools and automation to enhance productivity and insight (e.g., research synthesis, diligence document review, and drafting), with strong judgment, data integrity focus, and attention to confidentiality
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills; experience with data providers (e.g., Capital IQ, Fact Set, Pitch Book) and/or workflow tools is a plus
• Exceptional communication skills and executive presence, both verbal and written
• Elevated attention to detail and consistency in work product
• High degree of maturity, integrity, demonstrated leadership skills, and work ethic
• Self‑starting team player who excels in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial, challenging work environment
• SIE 7, 79, 63 licenses required at time of hiring or shortly thereafter

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in California, Colorado, New York or other states with relevant pay transparency laws, Ankura is required…