Investment Banking Associate - Private Capital Markets

As an Associate in William Blair's newly established European Private Capital Markets team, you will be at the executional heart of advising high-growth, technology-driven businesses on raising private capital to fund their next stage of expansion. You will execute in-depth analyses to support new business development and transaction execution, performing extensive research, financial modelling, valuation and due diligence across growth equity raises, private placements, structured equity and recapitalisations. You will be based in London, working closely with the office's PCM team.

You will combine strong technical execution with a genuine passion for technology and disruptive business models. Working alongside clients’ management teams and the European investor ecosystem, you will gather and synthesise information, translate complex modelling outcomes into clear, compelling messages, and present analytical results. You will also provide training and mentorship to Analysts and summer interns, helping build the culture of a new team.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Lead due diligence, research, analysis and documentation of potential and live transactions. Anticipate potential deal issues and pass concerns through to team members in real time.
• Actively participate in transaction materials, building differentiated equity stories that resonate with private capital investors.
• Develop, produce and deliver proposals to founders, management teams and investors that exhibit broad knowledge of William Blair's private capital markets solutions. Partner with Analysts on marketing materials that highlight William Blair's competitive advantage.
• Actively participate in client meetings and drafting sessions.
• Research and deepen expertise across technology and technology-enabled sub-sectors. Monitor key industry drivers and business trends, developing conviction that can be used to target clients and facilitate processes.
• Take ownership of client relationships and build effective dialogue across the private capital investor universe (growth equity funds, crossover investors, family offices, sovereign and strategic capital).
• Demonstrate an understanding of the macro and technology factors related to client sectors, private capital markets products, and their potential implications.
• Identify improvements to processes and propose solutions to complete tasks more efficiently.
• Act as "on the job" trainer for Analysts, providing constructive feedback and focusing on improving the quality of Analyst and summer intern work product. Ensure the senior team is aware of the valuable contributions of all team members.
• Help build the culture and infrastructure of a new team, actively participating in recruiting and training activities.
• Ensure all activities are in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Prior investment banking experience required; 2+ years as an Investment Banking Associate (or equivalent in growth equity, venture or private capital markets) strongly preferred.
• A genuine passion for technology, innovation and disruptive business models, with the curiosity to develop deep conviction across technology and technology-enabled sub-sectors.
• Familiar with modelling cap tables including waterfall analyses of complex preference rights.
• Detail oriented with strong analytical abilities.
• Excellent mathematical, writing, verbal and computer skills.
• Ability to adapt to new tasks with little notice.
• Ability to manage the expectations of senior bankers while working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective leadership and coaching skills.
• Strong desire to win, combined with the entrepreneurial drive to help build a new team.
• Sound judgement; remains calm and focused under pressure.
• Deep, sophisticated understanding of accounting and finance, and comfort valuing high-growth, capital-intensive businesses.
• Travel required: approximately 10% to 30%.

Targeted start date for this role will be September / October 2026

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