Associate

Sector Associate Areas of Interest:
Equity Research
Location:
Chicago, Illinois
Date Posted:
Nov-02-2020
Job ID:
3366
Share: Company Description:
William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We are committed to building enduring relationships with our clients and providing expertise and solutions to meet their evolving needs. An independent and employee-owned firm, William Blair is headquartered in Chicago and, together with its strategic partners, operates in more than 20 offices worldwide.
About the Team: William Blairs sell-side equity research team is responsible for delivering superior investment ideas and value-added perspective for over 600 quality growth companies. Through exhaustive fundamental research and unique insight derived from independent thinking, the teams award-winning analysts work tirelessly to identify companies that can deliver superior investment returns for clients. Acting as the company's laboratory for new investment ideas, it specializes in providing investment analysis on companies in the following industry sectors: consumer; financial services and technology; global industrial infrastructure; global services; healthcare; and technology, media, and communications. Job Summary & Responsibilities:

• Aid in production of thematic reports on growth industries with an emphasis on private companies.
• Assemble and validate data on quality growth public and private companies using internal and external data sources. Collect information on industry events, company financials and investment information, and other relevant data to support fundamental research objectives. Evaluate potential data sources and ensure data complies with firm-wide data standards.
• Assist senior Research Analysts in defining and documenting objectives and approaches for specific research projects and studies. Conduct research using predefined parameters.
• Build and/or update financial models and other statistical data to conduct security analyses and identify opportunities to achieve significant investment returns. Communicate findings to Research team and refine analyses based on team input.
• Document findings and develop reports, presentation materials and educational tools for investment teams, clients and prospects.
• Prepare internal and external written reports, notes, presentations, and other materials to communicate research findings, news events, investment ideas and opinions resulting from security analyses.
• Visit companies, attend conferences and other relevant events. Build and maintain relationships with company executives. Document contact points and information obtained to assist in analysis activities.
• Ensure all work activities comply with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree required.
• CFA, CPA, or technical designation preferred.
• 1-2 years of relevant financial services experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, and the ability to convey complex financial information in an understandable manner to various audiences.
• Advanced conceptual and critical thinking skills.
• Advanced accounting and financial statement analysis skills.
• Proficiency in building computer generated financial models.
• Client service oriented.
• Ability to work independently in support of team goals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Bloomberg, and other investment industry standard data sources.
• SIE Exam, Series 7, 63, 86, and 87 required (must be obtained within first 180 days).