The Opportunity

Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices across the country, Mesirow serves clients through capabilities spanning Private Capital & Currency, Capital Markets and Investment Banking, and Advisory Services. We are proud that our intentional culture results in strong employee engagement, entrepreneurship and empowerment, with ongoing opportunities for volunteerism and advancement.  Mesirow was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business and one of the Top 100 RIA firms by Barron’s.  At Mesirow, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities, and our culture. 

We are seeking an experienced Debt Capital Markets (DCM) banker to join our Institutional Sales & Trading team. The successful candidate will be responsible for originating and executing debt financing opportunities, developing and maintaining senior-level issuer relationships, and helping expand the firm's presence across targeted sectors and institutional markets.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience originating and executing private placement transactions, as well as exposure to REITs, real estate, and/or infrastructure.

Responsibilities:

• Originate, structure, and execute private placement and other debt capital markets transactions.
• Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with issuers, including CIOs, CFOs, treasurers, and other key financial decision-makers.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities across existing and prospective issuer relationships.
• Advise clients on capital structure, financing alternatives, market conditions, transaction execution, and investor considerations.
• Develop a strong understanding of clients' businesses, capital needs, strategic objectives, and financing requirements.
• Collaborate closely with institutional sales, trading, research, and other internal teams to identify opportunities and deliver comprehensive solutions to clients.
• Build and leverage a differentiated network of investors, issuers, intermediaries, and other market participants.
• Establish and grow a sector-focused franchise within areas of demonstrated expertise, including real estate, infrastructure, REITs, community banks, or other specialized industries.
• Maintain a strong understanding of credit markets, investor demand, valuation, market dynamics, and competitive positioning.
• Lead transactions from initial origination through structuring, marketing, negotiation, and closing.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in DCM, experience originating and executing private placement transactions, along with exposure to REITs, real estate, and/or infrastructure investments.
• Proven ability at deal origination and execution combined with a deep knowledge of debt markets and the regulatory landscape.
• Strong track record of developing and maintaining senior-level issuer relationships, particularly with CIOs, CFOs, and other key decision-makers.
• Fluency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft applications, including PowerPoint.
• Ability to form client relationships, market and successfully bring in new business.
• Strong professional communication and inter-personal skills, and the ability to succinctly express complex ideas both orally and in writing.
• Proficiency in managing multiple project-oriented tasks effectively and in a timely manner with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while being team-oriented; prioritize tasks, react to changes, and solve critical issues.
• Qualified candidates must possess a high level of motivation, initiative, and leadership potential.

In accordance with the Illinois Pay Transparency Law, the anticipated hiring base salary for the role will be between $200,000 and $225,000 per year. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, also provides the opportunity for a commission/bonus and the Mesirow benefit program.

 EOE