Financial Sponsors - Associate Director

The Associate Director will contribute to developing, building and managing Shawbrook’s Financial Sponsors (‘FS’) lending activity, leading the structuring and execution of leveraged finance transactions in support of targeted levels of profitability, return on capital and origination. The role holder will propose, negotiate and execute Leveraged Finance facilities to support the acquisition and growth of UK SME companies by Private Equity firms and investors, while maintaining a high level of credit quality and operating to high standards of risk management, including operational, reputational and credit risk. The role will also involve actively managing client and intermediary relationships, originating new business, and mentoring more junior members of the team – reflecting Shawbrook’s purpose of combining deep sector expertise with the best banking brains to build a bank for the future. Key Responsibilities • Contribute to developing, building and managing Shawbrook’s Financial Sponsors (‘FS’) lending activity, achieving targeted levels of profitability, return on capital and origination • Lead the structuring and execution of leveraged finance transactions • Achieve a high level of credit quality and operate to high standards of risk management generally, including operational and reputational as well as credit risk • Propose, negotiate and execute Leveraged Finance facilities to support the acquisition and growth of UK SME companies by Private Equity firms and investors; analyse the business and financial performance of prospective customers, ensure debt structures are appropriate to meet their needs, and identify, minimise and mitigate risks • Take responsibility for the end-to-end credit process, including due diligence review, financial modelling, writing of credit papers, presentation to Credit, client negotiation and completion of legal documentation • Actively manage ongoing relationships with a variety of clients (sponsors, investors) and intermediaries; originate business in the leveraged finance market, including participation in client and intermediary meetings, preparation of pitches, and attendance at market events and conferences • Lead and support transactions, mentoring more junior staff, and relate effectively to other parts of the Shawbrook group that play their part in the Financial Sponsors output, i.e. Operations, Credit, HR, Finance and Corporate Banking • Report all issues of regulatory concern to the Operations Director / Bank Legal & Compliance Director, communicate and escalate potential issues/risks in a prompt and effective manner, and provide support in managing the overall compliance and risk management framework of SF Skills & Experience • Proven experience in leveraged finance and/or growth capital lending, with experience in structuring and executing transactions and risk management. Compliance and governance experience, and some prior mentoring/line management experience, would be considered a positive. • Strong analytical skills, including advanced knowledge of Excel and the ability to manage and handle complex issues; experience with financial models and a good understanding of financial statements is beneficial. • In-depth knowledge of leveraged finance and/or growth capital structures, including negotiation of legal documentation, and a thorough comprehension of credit risk management, credit administration, loan production and servicing. • Industry knowledge of the general finance market is desirable but not essential, including a good understanding of lending practices, structures, risk mitigation, covenant requirements, pricing and competition. • Excellent customer service, presentation and negotiation skills, with strong influencing skills and the ability to communicate