GP Solutions Client Relationship Specialist

GP Solutions Client Relationship Specialist Location Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL :

Baird is a leading global investment bank with more than 400+ banking professionals in the U.S., Europe and Asia. We provide corporations, entrepreneurs, private equity and venture capital firms with in-depth market knowledge and extensive experience in merger and acquisition, restructuring, debt advisory and equity financing transactions. Since 2017, Baird has completed more than 700 advisory transactions, representing nearly $255 billion in transaction value, and nearly 500 financings, raising $195 billion. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird has been recognized as a Great Place to work since 2004.

The Baird GP Solutions Group collaborates with Baird's sector and product teams to advise sponsor clients on private secondary market transactions, ranging from single and multi-asset continuation funds, tender offers and strip sales to bespoke financings including NAV-based loans and fund-level preferred equity financings.

As a GP Solutions Client Relationship Specialist, you will:

• Spearhead consistent and strong connectivity between GP Solutions (GPS) and the rest of Global Investment Banking (GIB) in new client development activities
• Coordinate internal and external secondary advisory business development efforts, working with the GPS team to partner with senior bankers across GIB
  • Organize and maintain data on target clients and new business opportunities
  • Coordinate internal discussions with Financial Sponsor Group bankers, driving efforts to deliver GPS capabilities to Baird's covered sponsor clients
  • Coordinate internal discussions with senior industry bankers, identifying opportunities to pitch GPS capabilities alongside M&A and other Baird GIB solutions
  • Track, monitor and summarize ongoing internal and external dialogue with and regarding potential new GPS clients
  • Track real time M&A pitch activities and spearhead efforts to integrate GPS content into those upcoming meetings, where relevant to do so
  • Maintain and organize origination activity data in Excel and Salesforce
• Propel business development activities in support of GPS
  • Coordinate client interaction inside and outside of NY, including topic-driven client dinners, client entertainment events and regular bi-lateral client market updates
  • Coordinate efforts to engage with clients at Baird Conferences
  • Coordinate efforts to participate in secondary market conferences and related events
  • Prepare background summaries for GPS bankers ahead of client development meetings
• Assist GPS bankers in collecting and utilizing research on private equity firms and industry trends via access to external publications and database resources (i.e., Pitchbook, Preqin, CapIQ, etc.)
• Prepare content for GPS internal meetings, including summaries of the forward meeting calendar, live deal updates and summaries of the new client pipeline
• Establish and communicate best practices to enhance efficiency and productivity across GPS workflows

What we look for:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to work hard as part of a passionate and motivated group of professionals
• Bachelor's degree that includes at least one accounting class is required; 2-5 years of previous experience in a financial services or professional services organization is preferred
• The ideal candidate will possess a strong work ethic, a demonstrated record for excellence and have the ability to function equally well in both a team setting and on a self-directed basis
• Must be able to support the development of internal & external client relationships, including communicating directly with Baird Bankers and external clients
• Must be detail-oriented and recognize errors in numbers, spelling, grammar and punctuation; must demonstrate good follow-through skills
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office, with an emphasis on Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint is required
• Experience working with Salesforce or a similar type of client relationship management software
• Must have demonstrated ability to undertake research projects leveraging internal resources and external databases
• Project management, organizational skills, and time management skills required, including being able to prioritize multiple workstreams with competing deadlines
• Must have a working knowledge of basic finance and investment banking
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and communication skills required
• Committed team member, reliable and trustworthy
• Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours, including some nights & weekends, is required

The Baird Difference:

In addition to a strong culture that is focused on health and well-being, our organization offers competitive total compensation packages and unique benefits including:

• Hybrid work schedule
• Protected Friday night and Saturdays
• Periodic Sabbaticals during career

• Shareholder opportunities
• Mandatory paid time off (PTO)
• Robust 401k match and profit-sharing contribution

Learn more about Baird's unique additional benefits here

Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity

Baird is committed to inclusion & diversity for our clients, our associates and the communities where we live and work. This commitment stems from our culture of integrity, genuine concern for others and respect for the individual. We view inclusion & diversity as an ongoing journey - one of shared responsibility, continuous improvement and a focus on progress. We invite you to join us as we work together to foster an environment where diversity unites rather than divides us.