Graduate Investment Banker – Corporate Finance & M&A Advisory

 

Job Overview

Career Level: Graduate / Entry Level

Industry: Investment Banking / Corporate Finance / Mergers & Acquisitions

Location: London (City / Canary Wharf) with flexibility for client projects across the UK and Europe

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: £40,000 – £50,000 per annum plus annual performance bonus and comprehensive benefits

About the Company

Talent Cast represents a prestigious boutique investment banking and advisory firm headquartered in London. The company works with corporate clients, institutional investors, and private equity funds across Europe, delivering transaction execution and strategic financial advice in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and financial restructuring.

Known for its collaborative culture and hands-on deal exposure, the firm combines the analytical discipline of a global bank with the entrepreneurial approach of an independent advisory house. Graduates joining this programme will gain exposure to the full deal lifecycle from origination to completion, learning directly from senior bankers on live transactions.

This opportunity is designed for graduates with strong commercial instincts, numerical ability, and ambition to build a long-term career in front-office investment banking.

The Role

As a Graduate Investment Banker, you will work as part of a small, high-performing team supporting live M&A and corporate finance transactions. You will contribute to research, valuation modelling, market analysis, and client presentations, helping to identify and execute opportunities for the firm’s clients.

The role requires both precision and creativity — analysing numbers one moment, and helping shape client strategy the next. Graduates will quickly develop a deep understanding of financial markets, valuation techniques, and the decision-making process behind complex transactions.

Analyst Training Programme (First 10 Weeks)

• Corporate finance fundamentals: valuation, capital structuring, and financial modelling principles
• Practical accounting workshops focusing on interpreting balance sheets and income statements for deal use
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint techniques for professional-grade financial presentations
• Bloomberg and Refinitiv training to source market data, build peer analysis, and monitor active deals
• Soft-skills development covering negotiation, stakeholder management, and presentation delivery
• Rotational project exposure, allowing graduates to assist on real advisory or fundraising mandates under senior supervision

Following the training period, you will integrate into live deal teams with continued mentorship from senior associates and directors.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct market and company research to support valuation and transaction proposals
• Build and maintain financial models to evaluate business performance and transaction outcomes
• Assist in the preparation of client presentations, investor documents, and management reports
• Support due diligence, liaising with legal, tax, and financial advisors to manage information flow
• Track comparable company performance and market trends using Bloomberg and Refinitiv
• Prepare summary reports, internal memos, and briefing materials for senior management
• Maintain consistent accuracy, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance in all work

Candidate Profile

Essential Requirements:

• Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Mathematics, or another analytical discipline
• Exceptional analytical and numerical skills with high attention to detail
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint with the ability to interpret financial models and data sets
• Understanding of valuation techniques such as DCF, LBO, and comparable company analysis
• Must be working towards a recognised professional qualification relevant to UK financial regulations and investment advisory standards
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within tight deadlines
• Ambition, professionalism, and resilience under pressure

Desirable Attributes:

• Familiarity with Bloomberg, Refinitiv, or Capital IQ for market data and transaction research
• Internship or project experience in investment banking, private equity, or corporate advisory
• Strong commercial awareness and interest in market dynamics
• A second European language is beneficial but not essential

Career Progression & Benefits

• Ten-week structured training and ongoing mentorship from experienced bankers
• Promotion opportunities to Investment Banking Associate within 18–24 months based on performance
• Competitive performance bonus linked to team and transaction success
• Hybrid working model with flexibility for research and client assignments
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare, pension scheme, and wellbeing allowance
• Opportunity to work directly with senior management on live, high-value deals

Why Join

Joining this programme offers a fast-track start to your career in investment banking. You’ll gain hands-on experience with live transactions, develop real analytical expertise, and build a professional network within London’s financial hub.

You’ll be part of a close-knit team where your contribution is recognised and where responsibility grows quickly. This role offers the chance to learn the craft of investment banking in a high-energy environment while developing both technical and client-facing skills.

How to Apply

Submit your CV and a short cover letter (maximum 500 words) outlining your motivation to pursue a career in investment banking and your interest in corporate finance and advisory. If you have already been pre-screened by Talent Cast, your application will be forwarded directly to the hiring team for consideration.