2027 M&A Summer Associate (Minneapolis)

Harris Williams will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position.

About the role

Harris Williams is hiring 2027 M&A Summer Associates for our Minneapolis team. As a Summer Associate, you will learn the deal process through live transaction work alongside seasoned banking professionals. Our goal is for summer associates to have a robust and realistic experience that closely simulates the role of a full-time associate at Harris Williams.

• Meaningful impact from the start: High level of exposure to clients and senior bankers, who will place value in your ideas and unique perspective. Associates are responsible for driving work forward, in partnership with analysts.
• Join a leading firm in the most dynamic segment of investment banking: M&A and private capital advisory services are among the most intellectually rigorous and strategically important segments within banking. Your work will directly shape the trajectory of the clients we serve.
• Learn from invested leaders: 83% of our managing directors were promoted from within the firm. They build their careers here, meaning they are uniquely invested in building yours.
• Collaborative work environment: Our goal is to unlock value in great businesses, and it starts by unlocking greatness in each other. We value a range of backgrounds and expertise, and we know our work is better when our teams inspire every individual to confidently contribute.
• Professional development: New analysts and associates convene in our Richmond headquarters for a robust training program designed to build relationships, provide baseline knowledge of M&A, and prepare you for your first client engagement. This initial program is just the beginning of an extensive, structured learning experience.

Requirements

Harris Williams hires individuals who are motivated by challenge, demonstrated through academic performance and prior work experience. While no specific academic concentration is required, the following skillsets are desired:

• Learning agility – Curious and proactive in learning, applying new information, and incorporating feedback to develop quickly.
• Communication – Able to articulate ideas clearly and tailor message, tone, and detail to the audience, both verbally and in writing.
• Excel and PowerPoint – Skilled in MS Office, including advanced Excel (formulas, data validation, tables, conditional formatting) and PowerPoint, to produce accurate, client-ready work.
• Accounting and finance – Working understanding of how the income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet connect, with a willingness to deepen accounting, valuation, and modeling expertise over time.
• Problem solving and data analysis – Able to identify trends in complex data sets, including through tools such as Capital IQ and FactSet, and articulate the impact of those patterns.
• AI literacy – Comfort using and directing AI tools to improve output while retaining full ownership of quality, accuracy, and judgment.

Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship is required.

Qualifications

Successful candidates must demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for the role. Roles at this level are filled by recent university/college graduates with little or no professional experience, but possessing relevant skills. Includes individuals joining the organization through a corporate development/training program. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job-specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered.

• Competencies: Accuracy and Attention to Detail, Business Acumen, Creativity, Customer Experience Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Effective Communications, Leadership, Managing Multiple Priorities, Taking Ownership, Teamwork.

Skills

Summer Associates who thrive at Harris Williams lead multiple workstreams while maintaining focus on quality. Our Associate Profile is built around seven core competencies:

• Ownership – Drive work forward and own outcomes from start to finish, advancing tasks with accountability for the end result on tasks big and small.
• Collaboration and Relationships – Build trusted relationships across deal teams and firm colleagues, and model our One Firm culture by prioritizing the firm’s collective success.
• Communication – Articulate ideas clearly and confidently to every audience including in internal discussions and client and C-suite settings.
• Execution Excellence – Deliver accurate, high-quality, client-ready work products that reflect sound deal judgment and a high level of attention to detail.
• Growth Mindset – Grow continuously by seeking feedback and mentorship and deepening industry, market, and technical knowledge.
• Planning and Organization – Manage workstreams and deadlines to deliver consistent, on-time execution without sacrificing quality.
• Strategy – Translate data and analysis into actionable insight and a clear point of view that contributes to deal strategy and client recommendations.

Application Requirements

• Submit application through Harris Williams’ website, www.harriswilliams.com/careers.
• Submit your cover letter and resume (combine into one PDF and upload to the "Resume" section).
• Complete a profile with Suited, covering your academic background, prior work experience, employment preferences, and suitability questions. Suited Assessment Link.
• Your application will not be considered if you do not submit all materials by 9am EST on Friday, October 30, 2026.

For questions, contact Sydney Freeman at sfreeman@harriswilliams.com.

Early Action Process

Candidates can apply to interview earlier than the traditional recruiting timeline. We award a limited number of merit-based fellowships to candidates that apply and participate in this early interview process. Fellowship selection will be based on a variety of factors including quality of essay, engagement with Harris Williams, and interview performance.

• Deadline to apply for early action: 9am EST on October 2, 2026.
• To be considered, submit a supplemental essay through this form in addition to completing the application and Suited profile.

For questions, contact Sydney Freeman at sfreeman@harriswilliams.com.

About Harris Williams

We are a global investment bank specializing in M&A and private capital advisory services. Clients worldwide rely on us to help unlock value in their business and turn ambitious goals into reality. We approach every engagement with boundless collaboration, pooling expertise and relationships across industries, service offerings, and geographies. For over 30 years, our clients have trusted us to think strategically, execute precisely, and deliver premium outcomes to help them grow.

Pay

Base Salary: $175,000.00 – $175,000.00. Salaries may vary based on geographic location, market data, and individual skills, experience, and education.

Benefits

PNC offers a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include:

• Medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature), dental and vision options.
• Employee and spouse/child life insurance; short- and long-term disability protection.
• 401(k) with PNC match, pension, and stock purchase plans.
• Dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement.
• Educational assistance, including select programs fully paid; a robust wellness program with financial incentives.
• Paid time off: maternity and/or parental leave; up to 11 paid holidays each year; 9 occasional absence days each year; between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level and years of service.

To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for full-time and part-time employees, visit pncthrive.com.