Associate/Senior Associate, Debt Finance - Fund Finance, Lender Finance & Non-Sponsor Lending

OakNorth; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bank is seeking an Associate in Debt Finance to join their dynamic team. This role is pivotal in supporting Directors and executing real estate deals, providing a unique opportunity to take ownership in transactions that impact business growth. The ideal candidate will have around 3 years of experience in credit or lending, possess a finance-related degree, and demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 3 years' experience in credit or lending in a traditional bank.
• Exposure to complex lender-led transactions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Directors throughout the entire transaction lifecycle.
• Work as part of a team on the execution of real estate deals.
• Assist in building complex dynamic financial models.

Skills

Research and analytical abilities

Interpersonal and communication skills

Problem solving

Capacity to learn quickly

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accountancy, or Economics

Job description

Since 2015, we’ve backed entrepreneurs with over £ 13bn in funding, helping create 56,000+ jobs and 34,000 + new homes across the UK and US— and we’re just getting started. We're committed to helping innovative businesses flourish, with our Debt Finance team at the heart of our continued growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, fast-growing bank known for challenging the status quo. We’re not looking for just another cog in the wheel — we want bold thinkers and proactive self-starters who are eager to shape their own careers and support the UK’s most driven business leaders

This is a unique opportunity for someone who’s come through a graduate programme and built around 3 years’ experience in credit or lending in a traditional bank — ideally with exposure to complex, lender-led transactions such as fund finance, lender finance, or non-sponsor leverage. If you're looking to step up, take on more ownership, and work on deals that genuinely move the needle, this role offers exactly that.

As an Associate in Debt Finance, you'll play a key role in supporting Directors throughout the entire transaction lifecycle — from origination to execution — ensuring every deal is successfully delivered and expertly managed.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a team on the execution of real estate deals.
• Support the Debt Finance Team to maintain the CRM including new leads through to closed deals
• Assist in the preparation of deal specific credit memoranda for transaction recommendations to credit committees and other relevant lines of approval; go to external meetings (with senior bankers) and contribute to the discussions
• Assist in building complex dynamic financial models to analyse investment opportunities (reviewing debt structures, relevant debt underwriting parameters and specific assets using financial models and a variety of quantitative analytical tools to test assumptions and sensitivities)
• Undertake fundamental research analysis using a variety of data sources; undertake company and transaction specific analysis and valuations
• Participate in third party meetings where you could potentially contribute to drive the business forward - analysing proposed budgets, capital plans and other investment recommendations
• Work across a multi-disciplinary team to support on closing the funding of deals, including Credit and Transaction Execution

What makes a successful Associate, Debt Finance:

• A Bachelors degree with specialisation in Finance, Accountancy, Economics or equivalent from a top recognised university
• Determined attitude to liaise and work with multiple external teams to complete transactions
• Drive to achieve a common goal (lend money, help businesses, and earn interest / fees!)
• Clear thinker with research and analytical abilities; capacity to learn quickly
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written as well as verbal)
• Resourceful problem solver with a focus on delivery (ability to multitask is also crucial)
• Ability to thrive in an unstructured environment where you can create your own opportunities