Kick‑start your career in mergers & acquisitions.
The M&A Junior Analyst is an entry‑level, high‑exposure opportunity to join Savant’s growing M&A team and learn how real deals are sourced, evaluated, and executed. This role sits at the intersection of business development, financial analysis, and relationship‑building, making it ideal for someone who’s energized by conversations, motivated by learning, and excited about long‑term growth in corporate development.
You’ll support Savant’s deal origination engine—researching prospective partner firms, engaging founders and decision‑makers, managing pipeline activity, and assisting with early‑stage financial analysis. Designed as a feeder role into our M&A Analyst position, this is a hands‑on entry point for building a long‑term career in M&A within an active, relationship‑driven industry.
The M&A Junior Analyst can expect to focus in the following areas:
Business Development & Deal Origination (Primary Focus)
Identify and research prospective partner firms aligned with Savant’s strategic objectives
Execute targeted outreach campaigns, engaging firm founders and leaders in thoughtful, professional conversations across email, phone, and other channels
Craft, test, and refine outreach messaging, call scripts, and follow-up sequences to clearly articulate Savant’s value proposition and partnership model to prospective firms
Qualify inbound and outbound leads and schedule introductory meetings for senior team members
Maintain consistent follow-up cadence and re-engage dormant or stalled prospects
Develop resilience navigating rejection and iterating approach based on feedback and results
Pipeline & Relationship Management
Maintain accurate and timely records in HubSpot and DealRoom to support effective pipeline management
Track outreach activity, responses and engagement status across prospective firms
Ensure follow-ups, reminders, and handoffs are executed consistently
Provide clear pipeline updates and summaries to internal stakeholders
Support smooth transitions as prospects move from initial sourcing into active deal evaluation
Financial & Analytical Support
Gather and organize key financial and qualitative information during early-stage evaluation
Review financial statements and operating metrics to understand prospective firm performance
Identify and flag missing data, inconsistencies, and follow-up questions for the senior deals team
Summarize financial and qualitative information in clear, concise formats
Support early-stage valuation work by organizing inputs and assumptions within Savant’s templates
Develop an understanding of how financial data informs M&A decision-making
Coordination, Process Improvement & Technology
Coordinate with internal deal, diligence, integration, and optimization teams as opportunities progress
Help improve outreach, intake, and CRM workflows to increase efficiency and consistency
Experiment with new tools, automation, and AI-assisted workflows to streamline sourcing and evaluation efforts
Create and maintain templates, checklists, and documentation to support repeatable processes
Contribute ideas to improve how Savant sources, tracks, and evaluates opportunities
A couple things to note about the role:
Location: Rockford, IL (HQ) or Lincolnshire, IL
Work Model: Hybrid. Expect ~3 days per week onsite initially (range of 2–5 days based on preference), with increased flexibility over time.
Schedule: Typically 8:00am–5:00pm business hours, with occasional evenings during busy deal periods.
Travel: Limited—primarily local visits, with a few short trips per year.
Growth Path: Designed to develop into a full M&A Analyst role in ~3 years (performance dependent).
Why This Role Stands Out: Exposure to both financial modeling and founder‑level conversations, mentorship from a coaching‑oriented team, and long‑term upside within an employee‑owned firm.
The M&A Junior Analyst typically requires the following qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree (business, finance, communications, operations, analytics, or related field).
Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to engage professionally with internal and external stakeholder.
Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple follow-ups and competing priorities.
Foundational understanding of financial concepts and reviewing financial statements.
Team-oriented mindset with humility and a positive, professional and growth-focused attitude.
Internship or experience in business development, sales, finance, consulting, or related fields.
Exposure to CRM systems, cold outreach, early-stage prospect conversations, tracking or pipeline management tools (HubSpot, DealRoom or similar).
Strong Excel skills supported by coursework in finance or accounting.
Financial modeling coursework and/or certification.
Experience working in fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
For nearly 40 years, Savant Wealth Management has served as a trusted advisor to established individuals, families, and businesses seeking clarity and confidence in their financial lives. Our name, rooted in the Latin word sapere—“to be wise”—reflects our commitment to evidence-based investing and the power of decision-making based on deep knowledge. We are a fee-only, independent, fiduciary wealth management firm providing comprehensive guidance on investments, financial planning, tax and business consulting, estate planning, trust services, and family office support. At the heart of our firm is a culture of lifelong learning—one that values curiosity, continuous improvement, and helps clients pursue their ideal future with purpose and discipline.
Our Vision: Transform personal and financial dreams into goals and goals into reality.
Our Mission: To build one million ideal futures for our clients, our team, and the communities we serve.
Our Values: Excellence, Integrity, Lifelong Learning, Respect, Growth, Servant Leadership
At Savant, we are committed to supporting our employees as well as investing in their well-being and growth. We take a market-based approach to compensation. The expected base salary range for this role nationally is $70,000 - $95,000. However, final base pay will be carefully determined based on several factors, including responsibilities, skills, relevant experience, geographic location, and market conditions. Additionally, this role may be eligible for other forms of compensation.
We also offer a benefits package designed to enhance both your personal and professional life. Below is an overview of our total rewards offering. The benefits available for this role can be discussed in detail during the hiring process.
Benefit Eligibility on Day One: Enjoy immediate access to a robust benefits package starting on your first day of employment.
Choice of Medical Plans: Select from two medical plans tailored to fit your needs.
Health & Wellness Accounts: Opt for a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to manage your healthcare expenses.
Flexible Dental Coverage: Choose between two dental plan options for optimal oral health.
Vision Insurance: Keep your eyes healthy with our vision insurance plan.
Company-Paid Life & AD&D Insurance: Feel secure with fully covered basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment benefits.
Company-Paid Disability Coverage: Rest easy knowing you’re covered with both short-term and long-term disability plans.
401(k) with Company Match: Invest in your future with both Roth and Traditional 401(k) plans, featuring a per pay period company match.
Generous Paid Time Off: Benefit from PTO that increases with your years of service, at least 11 paid holidays each year, a paid day each year for your Savantiversary, and enjoy shorter work weeks with our Summer Hours.
Additional Leave and Time Off Benefits: Personal leave, parental leave, professional development paid time, and bereavement pay are just a few examples of how you will be supported with time off and other benefits during life's most critical moments.
Dress Code: Enjoy a “Dress for Your Day” approach to your style. We offer wardrobe flexibility based on office culture, client expectations, and your daily schedule.
Employee Recognition: Enjoy monetary awards through our recognition program.
Team Incentive Plans: Participate in our team incentive plan for additional earning opportunities.
Employee Assistance Program: Access support through our Employee Assistance Program whenever you need it.
Exclusive Discounts: Take advantage of various discount programs for additional savings.
Wellness Reimbursements: Get reimbursed for gym memberships and other wellness programs to stay fit and healthy.
Additional Perks: Get reimbursed for your warehouse club memberships and receive an allowance for Savant Swag.
Take your career to new heights, apply today!
All applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the incumbent in this position. Any combination of equivalent education and work experience will be considered.
Savant Capital LLC, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
