Overview
Introduction
Harris Williams is a global investment bank based in Virginia that specializes in merger and acquisition advisory. It’s been named “Merger and Acquisition Mid-Market Investment Bank of the Year” and “Investment Banking Firm of the Year” by Mergers and Acquisitions. The firm’s excellent internship program gives interns live-deal experience and exposure to senior management. Its culture is collaborative and open—the firm is very focused on diversity recruiting and mentorship, and has substantial D&I programs.
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Vault Verdict
Harris Williams is ideally looking for hardworking, intelligent, motivated, proactive, entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented candidates who are collaborative, down-to-earth, and easy to get along with. For students, the firm runs a top-notch internship program, providing interns with significant exposure to live deals, hands-on experience, a great mentoring program, and plenty of formal and informal events to get to know bankers across all groups. For its full-time junior professionals, Harris Williams offers extensive growth and development opportunities, including a strong training program, excellent formal and informal mentoring, internal mobility options (across business units and offices), quick promotion cycles for top performers, and help from senior bankers with the buy-side...
About the Company
Harris Williams is a global investment bank specializing in M&A and private capital advisory services, with offices in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Frankfurt, London, Minneapolis, New York, Richmond, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The firm advises clients worldwide on the sale of their companies, helps them identify growth opportunities for their businesses, and enables them to realize their investments.
The firm regularly wins awards and honors from top industry publications. In 2022 and 2023, Harris Williams was named USA Middle Market Investment Bank of the Year by M&A Atlas Awards. The M&A Atlas Awards also named Harris Williams Americas Private Equity Investment Bank of the Year in 2022. In 2021, the firm was named Global PE Investment Bank of the Year and Outstanding M&A Investment Bank by ...
Employee Reviews
“The workload is intense, but the firm provides junior bankers with one protected week a year, one protected weekend a quarter, and seven days of unprotected vacation time annually. As long as you communicate with deal teams, the firm is very understanding that junior bankers have lives outside of the office. I can go to the gym in the evening and get a quick dinner with friends during the week and have time to myself on Saturdays. But it really depends on the intensity of the workload at the moment (July to September I was averaging about 75 to 85 hours a week).”
“Superiors will not keep you awake or doing work just for the sake of doing it; if there isn't anything urgent, you have a great balance. People at HW have a good relationship with their families and there’s nothing stopping them from attending events/occasions that are important to them (within reason).”
“Deal teams know that unless something is on fire, spending time with family in town, friends’ birthdays, etc., is important and the associate/VP usually will allow for some hours away to make time for this. This is more once a month rather than every week, so you have to use this flex time wisely and offer to do the same with others. This VERY deal team/industry group/location dependent (so I would defer to others on their experience). Protected time is actually respected (expectation is you do not open your laptop and only periodically respond if something is on fire). Culture is VERY positive (satellite office) where everyone knows everyone across all levels, industry groups, and positions, and people enjoy each other’s presence outside of work. It can be challenging working late almost every night. I have worked every day for months on end (including weekends), with the exception of one protected weekend. Protected time is scarce: one week per year (seven days) and only one weekend per quarter. They’re not super receptive to feedback about the request of more time off for junior bankers.”
“The firm is understanding of people needing to take a protected weekend or protected vacation every now and then, which is very refreshing. However, when not on protected time, you are expected to be there for your client pretty much any hour of the day when on a live deal, so it is a good tradeoff.”
Why Work Here
Harris Williams is a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services. We are ambitious in our goals and steadfast in the belief that clients deserve our very best. To achieve our highest aspiration, we invest in world-class, team-oriented individuals who are smart, driven, and principled – those who are eager to be part of something bigger than themselves. When you join Harris Williams, you are welcomed into a collegial environment where every individual has the opportunity to make an impact in a powerful and significant way. We invite you to learn more about careers at Harris Williams.
Getting Hired Here
“The firm is seeking intelligent, entrepreneurial candidates who are not afraid to take complete ownership of the deal process. They need to be capable of sitting with clients from the get-go and ensuring that they are simultaneously meeting their goals and the company’s goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the sell-side process and be comfortable managing multiple workstreams.”
“Ideally looking for proactive candidates. In addition to strong analytical skills, they need to show well in front of clients and participate actively in deal team meetings.”
“Looking for hardworking, highly motivated, solutions-oriented candidates who are a cultural fit.”
“We’re seeking a candidate who is adaptable and ready to face challenges and develop but also down-to-earth and easy to get along with.”
Perks & Benefits