Analyst - Financial Sponsor Coverage

Harris Williams • Richmond, VA

4d • $97,500 - $162,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Harris Williams seeks an Analyst to join its Sponsor Coverage team in Richmond, Virginia. The Analyst develops insights and analyses supporting senior Sponsor Coverage bankers and private equity client strategies. The position manages proprietary data analyses—including buyer performance and behavior, valuation trends, process dynamics, and pitch activity—and helps share findings with Sponsor Coverage and deal teams in preparation for client meetings.

The Analyst tracks private equity industry trends and broader macroeconomic data, and uses Excel and PowerPoint to prepare ad hoc analyses and client-ready materials. These may include peer comparisons, deal histories, relationship updates, and qualitative insights supporting client meetings and origination. The role collaborates with senior Sponsor Coverage and Industry Group bankers, as well as data services and technology teams, on targeted lead pursuit, report development, ad hoc projects, and firm analyses for leadership.

The position includes a robust initial training program covering relationships, M&A fundamentals, and preparation for work in the Sponsor Coverage Group, followed by ongoing professional development. This is an on-call, in-office role. Candidates must be able to work in the United States without sponsorship. The employer will not provide employment visa sponsorship or participate in STEM OPT for this position.

The role is intended for recent university or college graduates with little or no professional experience. Candidates should be working toward or already hold a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2. A comparable combination of education, job-specific certifications, and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Required SIE and FINRA Series 63 and 79 licenses may be obtained within 120 days after hire. The position is incentive eligible, with compensation based on company, business, and/or individual performance.

Requirements

• Working toward or already possessing a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution; a comparable combination of education, job-specific certifications, and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
• Ability to work in the United States without employment visa sponsorship.
• SIE and FINRA Series 63 and 79 licenses, which may be obtained within 120 days after hire.
• Excel skills, including understanding formulas, data validation, macros, tables, and conditional formatting.
• PowerPoint slide creation and design skills.
• Data analysis skills, including sorting data to identify key trends.
• Problem-solving ability, including identifying trends in data and articulating their impact.
• Accuracy and attention to detail, business acumen, creativity, effective communication, leadership, ability to manage multiple priorities, ownership, teamwork, and customer relationship and experience management capabilities.
• Submit an application with both a cover letter and resume through the Harris Williams careers website; the posting states applications will not be considered without all required materials.
• Complete a Suited profile covering academic background, prior work experience, employment preferences, and suitability questions.

Nice To Haves

• Academic performance combined with involvement outside the classroom, such as sports, student-led organizations, or work experience while completing a degree.
• No specific academic major is required.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and manage proprietary data, including buyer performance and behavior, valuation trends, process dynamics, and pitch activity.
• Funnel insights to Sponsor Coverage and deal teams in preparation for client meetings.
• Track private equity industry trends and broader macroeconomic data to inform market insights.
• Prepare ad hoc analyses and client-ready materials using Excel and PowerPoint, including peer comparisons, deal histories, relationship updates, and qualitative insights.
• Support client meetings, origination activities, and strategic lead pursuit in collaboration with Sponsor Coverage and Industry Group bankers.
• Partner with data services and technology teams to inform and optimize key reports.
• Contribute to ad hoc projects and firm analyses supporting firm leadership.
• Maintain alignment with the team on active workstreams and upcoming tasks, clarify deadlines, and respond promptly to emails and calls.
• Quality-check personal and teammates' work for accuracy and seek feedback on deliverables.
• Contribute ideas and suggestions, work proactively, and participate in internal and external discussions as directed by the deal team.

Benefits

• Highly competitive compensation and incentive eligibility based on company, business, and/or individual performance.
• Pension.
• 401(k) matching.
• Comprehensive benefits are described as depending on eligibility and include medical and prescription drug coverage, dental and vision options, life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, stock purchase plans, dependent care reimbursement, backup child and elder care, adoption, surrogacy and doula reimbursement, educational assistance, and a wellness program with financial incentives.
• Paid time off options are described as depending on eligibility and include maternity and/or parental leave, up to 11 paid holidays, 9 occasional absence days, and 15 to 25 vacation days depending on career level and years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level