Investment Banking Analyst, Secondary Advisory

Join William Blair, the Premier Global Partnership

William Blair is the premier global partnership providing advisory services, strategies, and solutions to companies, investors, and institutions worldwide.

Our Private Capital Advisory (PCA) team advises leading alternative asset managers and institutional investors across all asset classes. Within PCA, the Secondary Advisory team advises clients on a broad range of liquidity solutions, including GP-led secondaries, continuation vehicles, portfolio transactions, fund restructurings, and other private capital advisory engagements.

Analysts play an integral role in transaction execution and business development, working directly with senior bankers, private equity sponsors, institutional investors, and management teams on complex and highly strategic transactions within the private markets ecosystem.

Why William Blair

At William Blair, Analysts are trusted contributors from day one. Our entrepreneurial culture, collaborative environment, and commitment to professional development create an exceptional platform for building a career in investment banking and private markets advisory.

What differentiates William Blair:

• Meaningful responsibility and ownership from the outset.
• Direct exposure to senior bankers, general partners (GPs), and limited partners (LPs).
• Experience across some of the fastest-growing areas of private capital markets.
• An independent partnership culture focused on collaboration, integrity, and long-term client relationships.
• Extensive training, mentorship, and career development opportunities.
• Exposure to private equity, private credit, infrastructure, and real assets markets.
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial environment that encourages initiative and intellectual curiosity.

Position Overview

As an Investment Banking Analyst within the Secondary Advisory team, you will support all aspects of transaction execution and business development activities across a variety of private market liquidity solutions.

You will conduct financial and strategic analyses, develop valuation materials, support due diligence processes, prepare client presentations, and participate in transaction execution across a broad range of secondary market advisory engagements.

The role offers extensive exposure to private equity sponsors, alternative asset managers, and institutional investors while developing a strong foundation in corporate finance, valuation, and private markets.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and an interest in private markets and alternative investments.

Key Responsibilities

Transaction Execution

• Perform detailed financial and valuation analyses to support secondary market transactions, continuation vehicles, portfolio sales, and liquidity solutions.
• Assist in the preparation of transaction marketing materials, management presentations, and investor communications.
• Support due diligence processes by analyzing fund, portfolio company, and transaction data.
• Develop and maintain financial models to evaluate transaction alternatives, portfolio performance, and valuation outcomes.
• Assist with transaction process management and coordination among clients, investors, and advisers.
• Identify transaction risks, key findings, and areas requiring additional analysis.

Secondary Advisory Sector Analysis

• Develop an understanding of private equity, growth & venture, private credit, infrastructure, and real asset investment strategies.
• Analyze portfolio company performance, valuation trends, and private market transaction activity.
• Monitor private market fundraising, liquidity, and secondary market developments.
• Conduct market research to support transaction execution and business development efforts.
• Evaluate industry trends impacting institutional investors, fund managers, and portfolio companies.

Client & Business Development Support

• Assist in preparing pitch materials, market updates, and client presentations.
• Support senior bankers in evaluating strategic alternatives and liquidity solutions.
• Participate in client meetings, internal transaction discussions, and project update sessions.
• Conduct research on private equity firms, institutional investors, and alternative asset managers.
• Contribute to the development of market intelligence and sector insights.

Team Development & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with team members across the global PCA platform.
• Support knowledge-sharing initiatives and internal best practices.
• Assist with training and mentoring summer interns.
• Identify opportunities to improve analytical processes and operational efficiency.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure all activities comply with applicable regulations, firm policies, and professional standards.
• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree with a strong academic record.
• Demonstrated interest in investment banking, private equity, asset management, or alternative investments.
• Strong understanding of accounting, corporate finance, and financial statement analysis.
• Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to excellence.

Preferred

• Prior internship or relevant work experience in investment banking, private equity, valuation, consulting, corporate finance, or asset management.
• Exposure to private equity, private credit, infrastructure, or other alternative asset classes.
• Experience building financial models and valuation analyses.
• Familiarity with transaction processes and due diligence activities.