Investment Banking - M&A Mid-Cap – Associate

As an Associate in our Australia Mergers & Acquisitions team, you will be a key player in strategy development and end-to-end execution for mid-cap clients, with a particular focus on sell-side mandates. You will work across the full transaction lifecycle, including preparing marketing materials and strategic pitches, leading and reviewing financial analyses, drafting and presenting internal committee memoranda, and developing client-ready presentations. You will assume a leadership role on live transactions, guiding Analysts and Associates, and partnering with Vice Presidents and Executive Directors to deliver best-in-class advice. You will build strong functional skills across core investment banking disciplines and demonstrate potential to originate and execute mandates independently as you progress.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop tailored content and insights for strategic meetings with Australian and New Zealand mid-cap clients, with a strong emphasis on sell-side M&A mandates, sector dynamics, and local market considerations.
• Engage daily with senior team members and client executive teams to execute transactions and evaluate strategic alternatives, including divestitures, carve-outs, and minority sell-downs in the Australian mid-cap segment.
• Define, guide, and review detailed valuation workstreams—DCF, trading and transaction comparables, and LBO analyses—ensuring Australian market benchmarks, precedent transactions, and regulatory considerations are appropriately reflected.
• Lead combination and other financial analyses in the context of M&A transactions and pitches, including accretion/dilution, synergies, and pro forma capital structure and ownership for ASX-listed and private mid-cap companies.
• Drive workstream management and execution discipline: coordinate due diligence, data room setup, buyer universe development, process letters, and Q&A for sell-side processes; collaborate with legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors across Australia and cross-border where relevant.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision to Analysts and junior Associates; set clear work plans, review outputs, and develop team capabilities through constructive feedback and coaching.
• Contribute to franchise development through pitch preparation, buyer mapping, and credential materials focused on Australian mid-cap clients; support graduate recruiting and training initiatives within the local team.

Required Qualifications, Capabilities, and Skills

• Minimum 3 years of prior work experience in:
  • An investment banking front-office role with direct exposure to M&A execution; and/or
  • A relevant role at a top-tier consulting or diligence firm (financial, commercial, or operational due diligence) with demonstrable M&A transaction involvement.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong financial modelling capabilities, including three-statement operating models, valuation models (DCF, trading/transaction comps), and LBO frameworks, with attention to Australian accounting, tax, and regulatory nuances.
• Demonstrated understanding of the full transaction cycle and execution steps—from preparation and positioning through buyer outreach, due diligence management, negotiation of key terms, and signing/closing—particularly within the Australian mid-cap client segment.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present complex analyses clearly and interact effectively with senior internal stakeholders and client executives; excellent writing skills for client materials and internal memoranda.
• Self-directed, highly motivated, and able to operate independently in a fast-paced environment; strong ownership mindset, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering to tight timelines.