Quantitative Associate - Special District Group

Job Description:

At Piper Sandler, we connect capital with opportunity to build a better future. 

We enable growth and success of our clients through deep sector expertise, candid advice and a differentiated, highly productive culture. Our mission is to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing people that are bright, committed, and who work in partnership with others to achieve at a high level.

We are currently looking for a Quantitative Associate to join our Special District Group in our Denver, CO office. This is a full-time and in-person role. Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to the Denver area. A working knowledge of Colorado geography and market dynamics is a plus.

About The Special District Group

The Special District Group (SDG) is a team in Piper Sandler's Public Finance practice that is dedicated to raising capital for public infrastructure for new development or redevelopment projects. We hold a dominant position in the Colorado, Utah, and Texas markets and are actively growing into new markets nationwide.

Our team leaders were amongst the pioneers of Special District financing and have been integral leaders in the sector for over 45 years. The SDG team is passionate about the quality of banking we bring to the market and the experience we offer our clients and partners. We are unwavering in our belief that our team’s shared success precedes the pursuit of individual aspirations. We have a deep commitment to high-touch communication and collaborative relationships, and we believe that our team’s expertise, creativity, and resilience are critical to our success.

About This Critical Role

We are seeking a Quantitative Associate to join the SDG team in Denver, Colorado. The SDG Quantitative Team provides the analytical foundation for our practice, developing the financial models and debt structures necessary to fund large-scale infrastructure and real estate development. As a Quantitative Associate, you will work at the intersection of investment banking and financial analysis, delivering the data-driven insights required to structure complex transactions.

About The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is passionate about financial modeling, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and possesses the ability to navigate multiple priorities with strong organizational skills. You must display the professional maturity required to interact effectively with senior partners, clients, and colleagues.

• Financial Structuring: Develop, refine, and stress-test sophisticated financial models that serve as the foundation for real estate-based public finance transactions.

• Analytical Rigor: Provide high-level numerical analysis and debt service modeling, ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment from deal inception through final execution.

• Process Innovation: Conceptualize and implement new modeling methodologies and technical solutions to improve operational efficiency and analytical precision. You are encouraged to challenge existing processes and propose improvements to our quantitative toolkit.

• Strategic Collaboration: Partner directly with senior bankers to translate complex client objectives into viable financial structures. Your analysis will serve as a primary driver in the decision-making process.

• Transaction Management: Navigate multiple, overlapping transaction timelines with precision, ensuring that all quantitative deliverables meet the high standards of our practice.

• Technical Leadership: Contribute to the ongoing evolution of our quantitative systems, including the integration of advanced Excel automation and internal AI tools.

• Team Development: Collaborate with the Quantitative Team to share technical expertise, mentor junior members, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

• Organizational Stewardship: Consistently model SDG’s values and contribute to the professional development and collaborative culture of the team.

Technical & Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Security Industry Essentials (SIE) certification is a plus.

• 2+ years of relevant experience in real estate investment, underwriting, investment banking, or municipal bond analysis.

• Advanced proficiency in cash flow modeling and Excel. You view modeling as an exercise in precision and efficiency, not just data entry.

• Proficiency in MS Office and database management. A demonstrated interest in leveraging AI tools and automation to enhance modeling workflows is highly valued. Experience with DBC Finance is a plus.

• A proven ability to distill complex financial variables into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.

Core Competencies:

• Self-reflective, proactive in identifying growth opportunities, and committed to setting ambitious professional goals.

• Questions conventional approaches and proposes original, resourceful ideas.

• Exhibits conviction when presenting ideas and chooses courage over comfort when facing difficult tasks.

• Works cooperatively with diverse styles and builds strong partnerships inside and outside the organization.

• Manages workflow by establishing clear tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining proactive communication.

Piper Sandler is a leading investment bank, enabling growth and success for our clients through deep sector expertise, candid advice, and a differentiated, highly productive culture. With more than 1,700 employees across 60 offices world-wide, we offer our clients the scale needed to meet their capital needs with local support from experts in the field. Learn more about the firm here.

Piper Sandler values a strong culture dedicated to the emotional and physical well-being of our employees. Learn more about our commitment to our employee’s health, well-being, our benefits program and how we are here for our employees and their families today, tomorrow and beyond here.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $100,000 per year. This position is eligible for substantial, additional incentive compensation in the first year and beyond. We are committed to hiring the right talent; for candidates with significant, directly relevant experience, we are open to discussing a higher title and compensation package commensurate with their background.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran or status with regard to public assistance.

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