2026 IB Summer Analyst | Private Capital Markets | Chicago

William Blair has delivered trusted advice for nearly nine decades, and we continue to deepen our expertise and relationships across regions, asset classes, and markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. We are committed to our people and culture, values, clients, and local communities. What sets us apart is that we are an independent partnership, with employees who have unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet clients’ evolving needs amid dynamic market conditions and varying industries. We strive to attract the most qualified, passionate candidates who specialize in investment banking, investment management, private wealth management, and a variety of other business functions. We work tirelessly to create an inclusive culture and take pride in fostering employees’ professional and personal growth. We empower our people to bring their best thinking each day so we can deliver the tailored, thoughtful work and problem-solving abilities that our clients expect. Equally, we are proud of our long-term partnerships with the communities in which we live and work, a legacy we inherited from our founder.

We invite you to learn about how we are seeking excellence in everything we do and empowering our clients’ success with passion, creativity, and rigor. For more information, visit williamblair.com.

Job Description

William Blair’s Private Capital Markets Group is a team of capital raising experts dedicated to advising and delivering bespoke, non-control capital solutions to our clients. Providing advisory services to clients including both sponsor- and founder-backed companies across a wide range of industries and at all stages of the business lifecycle – early / growth companies; middle-market companies; and scaled mature companies. Whether a client is looking for growth capital, acquisition funding, shareholder liquidity, or to refinance debt, the PCM group leverages our deep investor relationships across junior capital, structured equity, minority equity, growth equity, and pre-IPO crossover investors to deliver creative, bespoke solutions that achieve our client’s objectives. The PCM group’s understanding and expertise in all types of private capital help our clients navigate opaque and creative financing markets on a daily basis.

We know you have choices on how you spend your summer but encourage you to apply for William Blair’s 2026 Private Capital Markets Summer Analyst Program. Take the opportunity to build on the fundamentals of your academic background, gain practical knowledge to help prepare you for your next steps and be part of an organization that fosters innovation and invests in our most important asset, our people. 

The summer program provides all analysts with unique opportunities to: 

• Work alongside managing directors, directors, and vice presidents in PCM origination and across sector coverage groups over the course of the 9-week program
• Take on all functions of a full-time analyst
• Receive direct client exposure in a culture of collaboration and accountability
• Analyze financial and operational data to assess historical and projected performance for companies and prospects
• Build detailed, fully integrated three-statement financial models to analyze cash flow, alternative types of capital, and different capital structure scenarios
• Build returns analyses to evaluate investor proposals, financing terms, and investor target returns
• Work alongside sector colleagues to draft marketing materials, management presentations, and other supplemental analyses and presentations for investors and clients
• Assess information required to perform all pertinent analyses and compile and track information requests
• Participate in investor meetings, support investor due diligence, and track investor activity
• Support client relationship development by forming a detailed understanding of client needs and challenges, providing professional / responsive service, and anticipating client needs

Qualifications:

• Pursuing undergraduate bachelor’s degree with anticipated graduation between December 2026 - June 2027
• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above preferred (but open to all applicants)
• Undergraduate major: all majors considered
• General understanding of accounting and finance
• Demonstrated interest in the life sciences and understanding of scientific concepts
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• You are adaptable in an ever-changing environment and can manage through change with a high degree of emotional maturity
• You are highly motivated, detail oriented, and thrive in a collaborative environment
• Willingness to locate to Chicago

Throughout the 9-week program, summer analysts are evaluated for opportunities in our full-time class, upon graduation. 

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a link to complete our pre-interview assessment, Suited, which will need to be completed within 48 hours. Please monitor your spam folder, as the email may get caught in spam filters.

Application Deadline:

Apply by January 23rd to be considered for this opportunity.