Corporate Development Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Imagine being part of an organization that challenges and inspires you to do your best work, where you're encouraged to refine your expertise, expand your capabilities, and contribute meaningfully from day one. At Embarc Advisors, we prioritize professional growth, value innovative thinking, and recognize the impact of each team member. Join us, and be part of a firm where your potential is cultivated and your achievements are genuinely rewarded. About Embarc AdvisorsFounded by a former Goldman Sachs investment banker and McKinsey & Co. consultant, Embarc Advisors was built to challenge the traditional extremes of finance careers. We offer a different path, a high-performance and high-learning environment in a human-centered environment. Our firm delivers best-in-class advice across M&A, capital raising, outsourced corporate development, and strategic CFO services, supporting clients through every stage of the company lifecycle.We've built a team of corporate finance professionals with backgrounds in investment banking, private equity, consulting, strategic finance, and investment management, individuals who thrive on challenge, continuous improvement, and delivering results. We've helped clients close complex M&A transactions, raise capital from early-stage seed to $100M+ growth rounds, and scale profitably as their long-term CFO partners.At Embarc, we see ourselves as an elite sports team, united by trust, driven by shared purpose, and anchored in values like Kaizen, excellence, and perseverance. Our internal operating system (EOS) brings structure, accountability, and alignment to how we execute and grow. This mindset and system allow us to attract ambitious professionals and purpose-driven clients alike-those ready to do the real work and unlock meaningful value.At Embarc, we offer something different and compelling: the opportunity to build a sustainable, values-aligned career in finance, where you grow fast, contribute meaningfully, and stay in the game for the long haul.Embarc Intro Deck here: https://docsend.com/view/bej7d89ncu2mma4m Role OverviewJob Type: Full timePosition Location: RemoteAs a Corporate Development Associate at Embarc Advisors, you will gain exposure to a wide variety of projects and tasks, while being mentored by industry experts who will empower you to take on exciting challenges that expand and diversify your skillset.In this role, you will be a trusted advisor and analytical wizard, providing our clients with practical and quantifiable information necessary to make critical business decisions that facilitate execution of their strategic objectives.If you are ready to join a high performing team that will value your contributions and help you elevate your career, apply today! Detailed Responsibilities1. Modeling and Financial Analysis:Develops and validates key model parameters, assumptions, drivers, and scenarios. Performs complex strategic analysis, quantitative analysis, and robust financial modeling to produce meaningful insights that address clients' challenges and needs.Supports due diligence efforts, analyzes financial and operating data of investment opportunities and, potential partnership, assists with deal evaluation.2. Research and Market Analysis:Conducts extensive research and in-depth analysis on clients' business operations, competitors, industry sectors, capital markets, potential investments, and relevant financial inputs using public and private data sources. Performs economic, market and industry evaluations to support strategic assessment, valuation, and due diligence.3. Communication and Materials Development:Develops audience-appropriate, compelling materials to communicate, advance and/or advocate for the corporate strategy, strategic plan, as well as operational or financial initiatives.In partnership with Client Project Lead, ensures all deliverables provided are efficient, effective, and meet or exceed client needs.Translates complex strategic and financial analysis into insightful reports, key take-aways, and presentations for clients and key stakeholders which facilitate robust discussions, provide quantification and articulation of financial and strategic impact, and support the decision-making process.4. Project Management Support:Supports the cross-functional management of projects from end to end; communicates recommendations and drives outcomes with various stakeholders.Supports Client Project Leads with the development and maintenance of their project plans and schedules.5. Client Service:Develops and maintains strong relationships with clients and key stakeholder base to ensure solid understanding of client needs and deliverables.In partnership with Client Project Lead, provides guidance, and thought partnership to clients and key stakeholders. Presents project deliverable and shares insights and recommendations.6. Leadership:Supports execution of corporate transactions, including capital raising, strategic finance, financial planning and forecasting, and M&A opportunities.Provides guidance and mentorship to more less experienced staff QualificationsWe are looking for someone with 2+ years of experience with private equity, investment banking, transaction services, transaction-focused corporate development, strategic finance, management consulting, or related field; and a bachelor's degree in management, finance or related area.The ideal candidate will have:Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills, including advanced financial modeling, market research, strategic, valuation and financial analysis, etc.Ability to structure analysis efficiently, ensuring accurate conclusions in a timely manner.Knowledge of financial accounting, capital markets, and valuation concepts.Strong research skills.Proven ability to maintain excellent attention to detail and accuracy.Demonstrated ability to utilize financial analysis to develop insights and drive recommendations.Ability to structure and develop thoughtful and practical recommendations driven by fact-based analysis.Ability to independently develop presentations for communication with senior management or external partners.Exceptional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, with an ability to present complex issues in a simple and easy to understand manner.Superior analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills with established understanding of business implication of decisions.Ability to identify strategic solutions to business challenges and provide guidance for effective implementation that drives resolution and supports clients with meeting objectives.Strong relationship management skills, including utilizing partnering, consulting, and leadership skills to build credibility as a trusted advisor to clients and key stakeholders.Ability to maintain quality of execution throughout aggressive deadlines, changing priorities, and evolving operations, as common to fast-paced start-up environments. Why Join Our Team?At Embarc, you'll gain exposure to a diverse range of high-impact work across strategic CFO advisory, capital raising, and M&A, partnering directly with founders, CEOs, and investors across industries like technology, consumer goods, media, industrials, business services, and private equity/venture capital. No two weeks look the same, and that's by design.We offer:The agility and influence of a fast-growing firm where your contributions shape the businessThe intellectual rigor of top-tier advisory work without the burnout culture of traditional financeA high-performance, collaborative team of professionals from backgrounds in investment banking, private equity, consulting, FP&A, and moreThe flexibility to grow at your own pace, whether that means leaning into leadership, deepening your technical expertise, or exploring new service linesFrontline exposure to scaling companies without having to bet your career on a single startupA strong culture of trust, ownership, and continuous learningA path to shared success, with opportunities to participate in the upsideA fully remote work environment, supported by structured operations (EOS) to keep us aligned and effectiveBenefits include:Competitive compensation plus semi-annual performance bonuses401(k) with immediate vesting and employer match after one yearComprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverageUnlimited vacation time and paid sick leaveShort-term disability insuranceThree team offsites per year, for connecting, recharging, and growing together