Leveraged Finance Research - Associate Director

Prudential UK Services; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme up to 18%

Share Save/Share Incentive Plan

38 days annual leave

Job summary

M&G is seeking a Leveraged Finance Research Analyst to deliver high-quality research and insights to support investment decisions in private credit and leveraged finance. You will evaluate investments, build models and present to the credit committee.

Working with senior analysts and stakeholders, you will develop recommendations, monitor portfolio performance and contribute to continuous improvement across research quality and risk management.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable years of experience in leveraged finance, high yield corporate credit or direct lending.
• Deep knowledge of sponsor-backed credit and capital structures across sectors.
• Proven ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations.
• Strong understanding of credit agreements and covenant packages.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate new and existing leveraged loan and direct lending investments.
• Research companies and sectors; review due-diligence materials.
• Build financial models covering historical performance, forecasts and sensitivities.
• Research ESG considerations and present to stakeholders.
• Present recommendations to the credit committee and respond to challenge.
• Monitor portfolio investments and provide timely updates.

Skills

Leveraged finance experience

Credit analysis

Stakeholder management

Written and verbal communication

Independent judgement

Cross-functional collaboration

Financial modeling

organisational skills

Tools

Excel

Bloomberg

AI/AI tools

Job description

At M&G, our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions.

Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.

Through telling it like it is, owning it now and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and offer workplace adjustments to ensure you have the support you need to succeed in your role.

The Role:

The Leveraged Finance Research Analyst plays a key role in delivering high-quality research, analysis and insights that support investment and credit decisions for new and existing investments. The role focuses on assessing leveraged finance and private credit investments, monitoring market developments and producing clear, accurate analysis to support informed investment decision-making. Working closely with other senior analysts, fund managers, originators and stakeholders across the private and public market business, the role combines analytical expertise with sound judgement to deliver timely, reliable outputs.

Key Responsibilities for this Role:

• Evaluate new and existing leveraged loan and direct lending investments, considering financial performance, capital structures, and credit quality and risk.
• Research companies and sectors, review due-diligence materials and identify the information most relevant to an investment decision.
• Build and maintain financial models covering historical performance, forecasts, , sensitivities, liquidity, debt capacity, leverage and covenant headroom.
• Research, assess and present relevant ESG considerations.
• Attend company management meetings and presentations, preparing focused questions and evaluating the information provided.
• Prepare clear written investment submissions and present recommendations to the credit committee.
• Review legal documentation as part of the investment-analysis process.
• Present in credit committee meetings and respond constructively to challenge.
• Monitor a portfolio of existing investments and provide timely credit-event updates to fund managers.
• Analyse existing investments and make evidence-based purchase, hold or sell recommendations.
• Build trusted relationships with other credit analysts, fund managers, investment teams and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Work alongside, support and help train junior members on the team.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance research quality, efficiency and risk management.
• Ensure all activities are delivered in line with applicable policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.

Key Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrable years of experience in leveraged finance, high yield corporate credit, direct lending or a closely related investment discipline.
• Deep knowledge of sponsor backed corporate credit and capital structures across multiple sectors and jurisdictions, including leveraged loans, high-yield bonds and private credit instruments.
• Proven track record to convert complex financial and qualitative information into concise, evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong understanding of credit agreements, bond indentures, covenant packages, security structures, intercreditor terms and restructuring or recovery mechanics.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence through expertise and insight.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting analysis and responding to challenge.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and exercise sound judgement within established investment and control frameworks.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and investment requirements.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across investment teams and other business areas.
• Advanced skills in Excel, Bloomberg, AI and relevant corporate-credit research platforms.

What we offer:

We're dedicated to supporting your wellbeing and helping you thrive, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life , and financially plan for the future. Our UK benefits include :

• A valuable pension scheme of up to 18% (13% made up of employer contributions and 5% employee contributions).
• Access to our Share Save and Share Incentive Plan, alongside financial wellbeing and support services to help give you real confidence to put your money to work.
• Enjoy 38 days annual leave (including bank holidays), with the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days. Our Time Off When You Need It policy gives you the flexibility - to balance work an