Associate I, PWM Capital Markets

William Blair•Chicago, IL

2d•$75,000 - $95,000

About The Position

William Blair is seeking an entry-level Associate I to join the Capital Markets team within Private Wealth Management. The role focuses primarily on fixed income, while also supporting broader Capital Markets and Corporate Executive Services (CES) activities. The associate assists with fixed income securities, market dynamics, options-based strategies, exchange funds, direct indexing, and client service processes. Working closely with senior team members and Wealth Advisors, the associate supports solutions aligned with clients’ investment objectives and risk tolerances, including third-party manager proposals, onboarding, and ongoing servicing needs. Fixed income work represents approximately 60–70% of the role, with broader Capital Markets and CES responsibilities comprising approximately 30–40%. The position also supports trade entry and trade-related activities, market analysis, client communications, account opening and money movements, and coordination with third-party managers and solution providers. The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of financial services industry experience. The SIE, Series 7, 63, and 52 licenses are required and must be acquired within 180 days of employment. The position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and/or commission-based incentives. The stated base salary range is $75,000–$95,000.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
At least 1 year of experience within the financial services industry required.
SIE, Series 7, 63, and 52 required; these must be acquired within 180 days of employment.
Ability to carry out processes related to fixed income, Capital Markets, and CES investment solutions and client service activities.
Basic analytical skills, including interpreting basic financial data, market trends, interest rate movements, and economic indicators.
Basic understanding of financial analysis software and tools, including Bloomberg and FactSet.
Client-focused orientation and commitment to exceptional service for clients, Wealth Advisors, and internal partners.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to explain complex concepts clearly and coordinate effectively with team members and third-party managers.
Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Detail-oriented and proactive, with ability to work independently and collaboratively across fixed income and broader Capital Markets responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or professional designation.

Responsibilities

Support fixed income activities, representing approximately 60–70% of the role, while assisting with broader Capital Markets and CES responsibilities for approximately 30–40%.
Assist with entering fixed income and equity trades and related trade support, including gathering required information, verifying trade details, and coordinating with team members to support accurate and timely execution.
Engage with high-net-worth clients and Wealth Advisors to understand investment needs, risk tolerance, financial goals, and service requirements.
Support fixed income strategies, including asset allocation, duration management, and credit quality analysis.
Monitor and analyze fixed income market trends, interest rate movements, economic indicators, and other relevant market developments.
Support Capital Markets and CES activities, including corporate share buyback account opening and money movements, and provide backup coverage for team functions outside of fixed income.
Coordinate proposal requests, onboarding, and ongoing servicing with third-party managers and solution providers, including options overlay managers, exchange fund providers, and direct indexing providers.
Support the preparation of client reports, presentations, and related materials.
Perform additional responsibilities as requested.