M&A Associate - Specialty Finance

Stephens Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Stephens Inc. in London is seeking an Associate to join our transatlantic Specialty Finance team. You will work on M&A advisory projects for middle-market and global clients, supporting deal execution and client engagement from start to finish.

You will develop financial analyses and models, prepare CIMs and presentations, conduct due diligence, and contribute to industry research. The role emphasizes teamwork, integrity, and delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of M&A advisory experience.
• Experience advising Specialty Finance clients is helpful.
• Strong analytical and modeling skills.
• High energy with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Commitment to confidentiality and integrity.
• Attention to detail and strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of accounting rules and valuation methodologies.
• Team player with ability to learn quickly.

Responsibilities

• Playing a key role in transaction execution for M&A deals in Specialty Finance.
• Developing and overseeing detailed financial analyses and models for various transactions.
• Preparing Confidential Information Memorandums and management presentations.
• Coordinating due diligence and client outreach throughout live engagements.
• Conducting industry research and comparable-company analyses.
• Training and mentoring junior analysts while building client relationships.

Skills

M&A advisory experience

Specialty Finance knowledge

Analytical and modeling skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work under pressure

Integrity and work ethic

Attention to detail

Regulatory awareness

Communication skills

Team orientation

Job description

Founded in 1933, Stephens is a privately held family-owned business whose mission is to become a trusted advisor to our clients. We have a long history of identifying and seizing opportunities through economic cycles. Whether executing single transactions or developing holistic solutions, we help to create lasting value for our clients. We don’t just focus on transactions, we seek to develop durable relationships. We work with our clients as they interact with the financial markets, analyze strategic alternatives and raise capital.

The men and women of Stephens have the opportunity to cultivate and advance their careers in a collegial and supportive environment. With offices in strategic locations across the U.S. and in Europe, we provide unvarnished advice and skilled assistance with executing mergers and acquisitions, private placements of debt and equity, as well as recapitalisations.

We prioritize earning our clients’ trust, and we reward the individuals who make that happen. The exceptional candidates who join our transatlantic team of more than 250 investment banking professionals will participate in our collaborative approach to adding value for middle-market companies, as well as global organizations. Discover why our vibrant and stable atmosphere inspires our bankers to constantly strive for growth, while building their futures here over the long-term.

SPECIALTY FINANCE

Our transatlantic Specialty Finance team represents one of the longest-standing franchises dedicated to the Specialty Finance sector, leveraging expertise built from executing M&A and capital raising advisory transactions for commercial and consumer finance clients across North America and Europe. Our senior bankers work as a team to provide expert market intelligence, advisory and execution services while aligning with our specialty finance clients as teammates and not competitors. We have deep relationships with public and private financing sources. This enables us to develop innovative debt and equity capital raising solutions as well as buy side and sell side strategies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Associates leverage their knowledge and experience to work with and mentor analysts, continually develop their expertise, and deliver top quality work products to the team and clients. As an Associate you have a broad array of responsibilities including executing transactions and working with your team to build the business. These tasks include:

• Playing a key role in the transaction execution process in collaboration with other deal team members
• Developing and overseeing the development of detailed financial analyses, and the preparation of models for various types of transactions
• Performing extensive valuation and pricing analyses
• Creating Confidential Information Memorandums, management presentations, marketing pitches and other presentations
• Helping plan and execute live engagements
• Coordinating and performing business due diligence
• Performing industry research and comparable company analysis
• Training and developing analysts
• Building relationships and maintaining direct contact with current and prospective clients

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of M&A advisory experience
• Experience advising clients in the Specialty Finance industry is helpful
• Excellent analytical and modeling skills
• High energy with strong interpersonal, accounting and finance skills
• Ability to perform under pressure and tight deadlines
• Strong commitment to respecting and safeguarding confidential information
• High level of personal integrity and work ethic
• Extraordinary focus on work quality and attention to detail
• Adherence to regulatory requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly, with a particular focus on accounting rules and financial valuation methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment

Qualifications

Skills

Behaviors

Motivations

Education

Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.