Financial Sponsors – Associate Director

Overview

In this role, you will lead the structuring and execution of leveraged finance for UK SME growth via Private Equity and investors. You’ll shape credit quality and risk management while driving profitable origination through strong client and intermediary relationships. You’ll mentor junior colleagues and collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate underwriting and closing processes. Shawbrook combines deep sector knowledge with digital capabilities, offering a dynamic platform to influence growth and governance. This is an opportunity to shape a high-impact FS lending strategy within a purpose-led bank.

Pay / Benefits

• market leading family-friendly policies
• Headspace mindfulness app access
• Peppy digital health app access
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• gym membership discounts

Responsibilities

• Develop, build and manage Shawbrook’s Financial Sponsors lending activity with profitability and origination targets
• Lead structuring and execution of leveraged finance transactions
• Maintain high credit quality and robust risk management (operational, reputational, and credit risk)
• Propose, negotiate and execute Leveraged Finance facilities for UK SME growth with PE firms and investors; assess debt structures and mitigate risks
• Own end-to-end credit process: due diligence, financial modelling, credit papers, presentations, negotiations, and legal documentation
• Manage ongoing client/intermediary relationships; originate business and participate in meetings, pitches, and market events
• Lead and mentor junior staff and coordinate with other Shawbrook groups (Operations, Credit, HR, Finance, Corporate Banking)
• Escalate regulatory concerns and support the risk management framework with the Operations and Compliance Directors

Key requirements

• Proven experience in leveraged finance or growth capital lending with deal structuring and risk management
• Compliance and governance experience; prior mentoring/line management beneficial
• Strong analytical skills; advanced Excel; financial modelling; understanding of financial statements
• In-depth knowledge of leveraged finance structures and credit risk management; negotiation of legal docs
• Industry knowledge of lending practices, risk mitigation, covenant requirements, pricing and competition
• Excellent presentation, negotiation and communication skills with stakeholders at all levels
• Commercial and financial acumen; strategic thinking and relationship-building across business areas
• Regulatory compliance and good standing with authorities

• confident and ambitious
• strong interpersonal and relationship-building
• excellent communication and influencing abilities
• advanced Excel
• financial modelling
• interpretation of financial statements

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