2027 M&A Associate - Consumer, Minneapolis

Harris Williams & Co • Minneapolis, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Harris Williams seeks to hire a first-year Associate to join the Consumer team in the Minneapolis, MN office. Associates will have a high level of exposure to clients and senior bankers, driving work forward in partnership with analysts. This role offers the opportunity to see the full lifecycle of multiple client engagements, developing into a well-rounded, trusted advisor. The position is in investment banking, focusing on M&A and private capital advisory services. Associates are expected to contribute to deal strategy and client recommendations. The firm emphasizes a collaborative work environment and invests in professional development through a robust training program and ongoing learning experiences.

Requirements

• Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Learning agility – Curious and proactive in learning, applying new information, and incorporating feedback to develop quickly.
• Communication – Able to articulate ideas clearly and tailor message, tone, and detail to the audience, both verbally and in writing.
• Problem solving and data analysis – Able to identify trends in complex data sets, including through tools such as Capital IQ and FactSet, and articulate the impact of those patterns.
• Excel and PowerPoint – Understanding of Excel formulas, data validation, tables, and conditional formatting, and the ability to build clear, client-ready materials in PowerPoint.
• Accounting and finance – Working understanding of how the income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet connect, with a willingness to deepen accounting, valuation, and financial modeling expertise over time.
• AI literacy – Comfort using and directing AI tools to improve output while retaining full ownership of quality, accuracy, and judgment.
• Ownership – Drive work forward and own outcomes from start to finish, advancing tasks with accountability for the end result on tasks big and small.
• Collaboration and Relationships – Build trusted relationships across deal teams and firm colleagues, and model our One Firm culture by prioritizing the firm’s collective success.
• Communication – Articulate ideas clearly and confidently to every audience including in internal discussions and client and C-suite settings.
• Execution Excellence – Deliver accurate, high-quality, client-ready work products that reflect sound deal judgment and a high level of attention to detail.
• Growth Mindset – Grow continuously by seeking feedback and mentorship and deepening industry, market, and technical knowledge.
• Planning and Organization – Manage workstreams and deadlines to deliver consistent, on-time execution without sacrificing quality.
• Strategy – Translate data and analysis into actionable insight and a clear point of view that contributes to deal strategy and client recommendations.
• University / college degree, with 5+ years of industry-relevant experience.
• In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Specific certifications are often required.

Responsibilities

• Driving work forward in partnership with analysts.
• Seeing the full lifecycle of multiple client engagements.
• Contributing to deal strategy and client recommendations.
• Responding quickly to emails and calls.
• Attending deal team meetings in person.
• Working long hours.

Benefits

• Highly competitive compensation
• Pension
• 401(k) matching
• Eligibility for performance bonus
• Medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature)
• Dental and vision options
• Employee and spouse/child life insurance
• Short and long-term disability protection
• 401(k) with PNC match
• Pension and stock purchase plans
• Dependent care reimbursement account
• Back-up child/elder care
• Adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement
• Educational assistance, including select programs fully paid
• A robust wellness program with financial incentives
• Maternity and/or parental leave
• Up to 11 paid holidays each year
• 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law
• Between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level and years of service.

What This Job Offers

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