Leveraged Finance - Associate

Stephenson Harwood LLP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private health and dental care

Flexible benefits

Day off for charity work

Wellbeing strategy

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Stephenson Harwood LLP is looking for two dedicated leveraged finance associates in Greater London. Ideal candidates will have at least one year of post-qualification experience in finance, focusing on leveraged finance transactions. This position involves working with various clients, navigating cross-border deals, and participating in ambitious growth strategies.

The role offers a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits including health care and family-friendly policies. Opportunities for career progression are available in a supportive culture.

Qualifications

• Must have at least one year of experience in leveraged finance transactions.
• In-depth knowledge of the mid-market is necessary.
• Ability to manage cross-border deals with diverse client groups.

Responsibilities

• Handle a mix of borrower and lender side transactions.
• Engage with clients, including banks and private equity sponsors.
• Collaborate on financing aspects of leveraged buyouts.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Experience in leveraged finance

Education

At least one year of post‑qualification experience in finance

Job description

Benefits

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. You will take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. Join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and involvement in growing the business. Expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all‑round performance.

• A competitive salary and a host of family‑friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• Flexible benefits including gym discounts and retail vouchers
• A day per year off to volunteer with any charity you support
• A wellbeing strategy focused on physical, emotional, financial and social aspects
• Hybrid work model – office and remote – with flexible arrangements discussed during the interview process
• Equal opportunity organisation – we do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristic. We value everyone’s strengths and unique perspectives.

Team Structure

We are currently looking for two dedicated leveraged finance associates and are open to individuals who have at least one year of post‑qualification experience or more in finance, including experience working on leveraged finance transactions. The Leveraged Finance team is part of our Debt Finance practice, which in turn is part of our wider Finance practice group.

The Debt Finance team deals with a wide range of transactional financings including leveraged finance, real‑estate finance, asset‑based lending, secured and unsecured corporate lending, non‑contentious debt restructurings and distressed situations involving corporate trustees.

Role Responsibilities

• Operate in the mid‑market and work on a mix of borrower and lender side transactions, having experience of both.
• Engage with clients including traditional banks, challenger banks, alternative lenders, private equity sponsors and corporates.
• Gain experience across a broad spectrum of acquisition financings and cash‑flow lending transactions, including senior, unitranche, super‑senior, mezzanine, and holdco PIK facilities.
• Collaborate with the Private Equity team on the financing aspects of leveraged buyouts for our private equity clients.
• Navigate cross‑border challenges in overseas jurisdictions to ensure a smooth process.
• Participate in an ambitious growth strategy with room for career progression within an informal and supportive culture that values both excellence and enjoyment.
• Leverage the support of a dedicated Knowledge Development Lawyer and contribute to the team’s leading role in the firm’s testing and adoption of AI.

Qualifications

• At least one year of post‑qualification experience in finance.
• Experience working on leveraged finance transactions.
• In‑depth knowledge of the mid‑market and both borrower and lender perspectives.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to manage cross‑border deals and work with diverse client groups.