Investment Banking Associate Jobs in Illinois
Investment Banking Associate jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago's world-class financial district, one of the most active markets in the country for middle-market M&A, leveraged finance, and capital markets work at every level from analyst-track associate through senior vice president. Most hiring flows through Chicago, with additional activity in Naperville and Schaumburg as financial services firms expand suburban footprints. Firms with a lasting Illinois presence include William Blair, Baird, and JPMorgan Chase, with consistent demand for associates specializing in industrials, healthcare, and financial sponsor coverage. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 28+ Investment Banking Associate jobs
Our 540+ banking associates work as one global team, collaborating across geographies, products and sectors to help our clients achieve great outcomes.
- Chicago, IL / Charlotte, NC / Milwaukee, WI
- Global Investment Banking
- R20261044
- Hybrid
Complex deals, real ownership, and career momentum. Grow further at Baird.
Baird is where investment banking careers gain real traction. Associates take on meaningful responsibility, work closely with senior bankers and clients, and grow in a culture that values performance, collaboration, and long-term success.
What You’ll Do
Responsibility that shapes your skill. Work that deepens your impact.
Play a lead role in executing public equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic financial advisory services across a range of sectors
Drive the preparation of company valuations, financial models, marketing materials, and client presentations
Contribute to business development efforts through research and analysis
Work directly with senior bankers and client executives, gaining insight into leadership-level decision-making
Use AI tools like Rogo and auxi to streamline the creation of pitch books and models, and employ data visualization software like Power BI to generate data-driven insights and reports for client materials
What You’ll Gain
A team that runs on trust, momentum, and shared values
Build strong relationships with client leadership and C-suite executives through active involvement in complex M&A transactions
Take on greater ownership through lean deal teams that offer more responsibility
Navigate clear paths for progression with mentorship, visibility, and real opportunity
Advance alongside elite, high-performing peers who hold each other to a high standard
Collaborate across Baird’s global investment banking platform—500+ banking associates working together to drive results across geographies, sectors, and specialties
Grow in a culture that values diverse perspectives, welcomes ambition, and builds success through collaboration and shared purpose
What It Takes
We’re looking for people ready to lead with focus and integrity
3-5 years of full-time experience in a solution-focused financial or quantitative role; Investment Banking preferred
Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a track record of delivering results
Clear communication, strong leadership, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, high-performing team
Intellectual agility, initiative, and the drive to grow in a fast-paced, client-focused environment
Experience with AI tools such as Rogo, CoPilot, and auxi is preferred
Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar
Compensation and Benefits:
$175,000 - $200,000 annual salary with bonus potential
Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or GIB profitability
In addition to a strong culture that is focused on health and well-being, our organization offers competitive total compensation packages and comprehensive benefits including: protected Friday night and Saturdays, periodic sabbaticals during career, shareholder opportunities, mandatory paid time off (PTO) and robust 401k match and profit-sharing contribution
Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: Baird does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not compensate for any placement resulting from such submissions. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be treated as valid applications.
Baird is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.
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More About Our Firm
The Baird Way
What we call The Baird Way is the foundation of core beliefs we share, the promise we make to each other and the inspiration for our mission.
Our Multicultural Community Conference
This conference unites colleagues from all corners of our firm to honor and celebrate the contributions of our ethnically diverse associates.
Honored to be a Best Place to Work
More than 20 consecutive years of recognition as a great workplace makes Baird a destination of choice for extraordinary people from across our industry.
Our 540+ banking associates work as one global team, collaborating across geographies, products and sectors to help our clients achieve great outcomes.
- Chicago, IL / Charlotte, NC / Milwaukee, WI
- Global Investment Banking
- R20261044
- Hybrid
Complex deals, real ownership, and career momentum. Grow further at Baird.
Baird is where investment banking careers gain real traction. Associates take on meaningful responsibility, work closely with senior bankers and clients, and grow in a culture that values performance, collaboration, and long-term success.
What You’ll Do
Responsibility that shapes your skill. Work that deepens your impact.
Play a lead role in executing public equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic financial advisory services across a range of sectors
Drive the preparation of company valuations, financial models, marketing materials, and client presentations
Contribute to business development efforts through research and analysis
Work directly with senior bankers and client executives, gaining insight into leadership-level decision-making
Use AI tools like Rogo and auxi to streamline the creation of pitch books and models, and employ data visualization software like Power BI to generate data-driven insights and reports for client materials
What You’ll Gain
A team that runs on trust, momentum, and shared values
Build strong relationships with client leadership and C-suite executives through active involvement in complex M&A transactions
Take on greater ownership through lean deal teams that offer more responsibility
Navigate clear paths for progression with mentorship, visibility, and real opportunity
Advance alongside elite, high-performing peers who hold each other to a high standard
Collaborate across Baird’s global investment banking platform—500+ banking associates working together to drive results across geographies, sectors, and specialties
Grow in a culture that values diverse perspectives, welcomes ambition, and builds success through collaboration and shared purpose
What It Takes
We’re looking for people ready to lead with focus and integrity
3-5 years of full-time experience in a solution-focused financial or quantitative role; Investment Banking preferred
Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a track record of delivering results
Clear communication, strong leadership, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, high-performing team
Intellectual agility, initiative, and the drive to grow in a fast-paced, client-focused environment
Experience with AI tools such as Rogo, CoPilot, and auxi is preferred
Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar
Compensation and Benefits:
$175,000 - $200,000 annual salary with bonus potential
Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or GIB profitability
In addition to a strong culture that is focused on health and well-being, our organization offers competitive total compensation packages and comprehensive benefits including: protected Friday night and Saturdays, periodic sabbaticals during career, shareholder opportunities, mandatory paid time off (PTO) and robust 401k match and profit-sharing contribution
Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: Baird does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not compensate for any placement resulting from such submissions. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be treated as valid applications.
Baird is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.
Related Jobs
Investment Banking Associate - Consumer
Save
Saved
- Chicago, IL
Investment Banking Associate - Healthcare
Save
Saved
- Chicago, IL + 2 locations
Investment Banking Associate - Industrial
Save
Saved
- Charlotte, NC
More About Our Firm
The Baird Way
What we call The Baird Way is the foundation of core beliefs we share, the promise we make to each other and the inspiration for our mission.
Our Multicultural Community Conference
This conference unites colleagues from all corners of our firm to honor and celebrate the contributions of our ethnically diverse associates.
Honored to be a Best Place to Work
More than 20 consecutive years of recognition as a great workplace makes Baird a destination of choice for extraordinary people from across our industry.
See All 28 Investment Banking Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsInvestment Banking Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Investment Banking Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
- Investment & Asset Management
- Fintech
- Accounting & Auditing
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in investment banking associate jobs across Illinois.
- Active FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licenses required or expected within 90 days
- Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or accounting from an accredited institution
- Two or more years of financial modeling, valuation, and deal execution experience
- Proficiency in Excel-based LBO, DCF, and comparable company analysis
- MBA from a target or recognized program preferred for associate-level advancement
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for client presentations and internal memos
Investment Banking Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an investment banking associate in Illinois?
Most investment banking associates in Illinois enter through an MBA program or a direct promote from an analyst role at a bank. FINRA administers the Series 79 and Series 63 exams, which are the primary licensing requirements, and candidates must be sponsored by a registered broker-dealer to sit for them. Illinois itself does not issue a separate state banking license for this role, so the path runs through employer sponsorship for FINRA registration, a finance-related undergraduate or graduate degree, and demonstrated financial modeling experience.
How much do investment banking associates make in Illinois?
Investment banking associates in Illinois earn a median of about $101,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,700 for the lowest 10% to over $166,090 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire investment banking associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring investment banking associates in Illinois right now include JPMorganChase, D.A. Davidson Companies, and Baird, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's concentration of middle-market boutiques, large regional banks, and global bulge-bracket offices makes Illinois one of the more diverse hiring markets for associates outside of New York.
Which Illinois cities have the most investment banking associate jobs?
Chicago have the most investment banking associate openings in Illinois. Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority, driven by its role as a global financial center with deep concentrations of investment banks, private equity firms, and corporate headquarters, while Naperville and Schaumburg attract openings from regional and community banks that have built out their capital markets and advisory teams in the suburbs.
Are there remote investment banking associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 62% of investment banking associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which reflects how deal-driven and relationship-intensive the role is. The portions most likely to be done remotely are financial modeling, research, and presentation preparation, while client meetings, deal closings, and internal reviews typically require an in-office or on-site presence.
How can I get hired as an investment banking associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a summer analyst or full-time analyst role at a Chicago-area firm, which is the standard pipeline into the associate level. Firms like William Blair, Houlihan Lokey, and Lincoln International run structured analyst programs in Chicago where strong performers are promoted to associate. Candidates without direct banking experience often transition from corporate finance, Big Four advisory, or private credit roles. Completing the CFA Level I or earning a finance-focused MBA from a Chicago-area program such as Booth or Kellogg significantly strengthens a candidate's profile for associate-level consideration.
Where can I find and apply to investment banking associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to investment banking associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and deal focus, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 28 Investment Banking Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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