Internship – Continuous Improvement Analyst (Year-Round)

About the Role:

The Business Process team is part of Baird’s Operations Department (“Ops”), which is the best kept secret in the financial services industry and plays a critical role to the success and growth of the firm. The Business Process team helps identify opportunities for improvement and drives efficiencies to solve problems.

Continuous improvement provides high value service and subject matter expertise on regulations and policies with a thorough understanding of end-to-end processes to internal and external clients. Continuous Improvement Analysts research, resolve and respond to daily end user questions, and they identify problem areas backed by documented metrics and analysis and collaborate on appropriate solutions. The Continuous Improvement Analyst intern will gain hands-on experience working with the team, across Operations and with clients. We look for highly motivated individuals who are curious, analytical and interested in understanding how people, processes and technology work together to create business value.

This is a hybrid internship, working four days per week in our downtown Milwaukee, WI office and one day remote. The intern must be able to work full time during the summer, 37.5-40 hours per week, and work part time during the school semesters, 15-20 hours per week. We are seeking a local student who can start in June 2027.

The Impact You’ll Make:

• Provide strong client service and technical support to the team, clients and associates
• Support research and resolution of end-user questions
• Assist with manual testing of workflow solutions, documentation of issues and solutions and metric tracking
• Help with system administration activities such as user, role and permission setup and error-log monitoring
• Analyze existing automated processes and identify improvement opportunities using documented metrics
• Collaborate with the team to update user guides, training materials, process models and decision models
• Contribute to process improvement work by sharing observations and recommendations to improve client and associate experiences
• Gain exposure to Operations, Business Process, Continuous Improvement, Private Wealth Management and the financial services industry through team meetings, trainings and collaboration with associates across these teams

What You’ll Bring to Baird:

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management information systems, information technology, operations management, finance with a technology concentration, communications or related degree
• Anticipated graduation date of May 2028 or later
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to connect clearly and professionally with clients and associates and communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical personnel
• Commitment to delivering excellent customer service to clients and associates
• Organizational excellence, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities, demonstrate strong attention to detail and ensure high-quality and on-time delivery

• High level of motivation, proactivity and strategic thinking, with a strong commitment to learning and contributing effectively

• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate information and identify actionable solutions
• Desire to learn new systems and policies

• Experience with Jira, Azure or other tracking tools is preferred
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint

About Our Intern Program:

Jumpstart your career with Baird’s high-impact summer intern program! You’ll gain real-world experience, connect with inspiring leaders and grow through hands-on projects, mentorship and dynamic events. From our Intern Welcome and Baird Gives Back Day to firmwide networking and professional development, you’ll be part of a vibrant, collaborative culture that values your voice and fuels your future.

Baird is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.

Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.

About Us

Baird is an employee-owned, international financial services firm specializing in wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management. Our mission is straightforward. We strive “to provide the best financial advice and service to our clients and be the best place to work for all.” Our culture is like no other with extraordinary people who make Baird great for our clients and one another. Nationally recognized as a great place to work since 2004, we invite you to learn more about Baird, our culture and our people.

Baird is committed to inclusion & diversity for our clients, our associates and the communities where we live and work. This commitment stems from our culture of integrity, genuine concern for others and respect for the individual. We view inclusion & diversity as an ongoing journey – one of shared responsibility, continuous improvement and a focus on progress. We invite you to join us as we work together to foster an environment where diversity unites rather than divides us.