Senior Director, Lead Researcher | Corporate Finance & Restructuring

FTI Consulting; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consulting firm is seeking a Lead Researcher for its EMEA Restructuring practice. This leadership role involves managing the Origination Hub, driving business development, and coordinating efforts across the region. Candidates should have significant experience in restructuring, strong commercial judgement, and excellent communication skills. The position offers professional development and a collaborative working environment.

Benefits

Market competitive benefits

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

Professional development programs

Qualifications

• Significant experience within restructuring and distressed investing.
• Strong understanding of capital structures and market participants across EMEA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of the Origination Hub and team.
• Develop and oversee origination processes.
• Sourcing and screening distressed restructuring opportunities.
• Building relationships with internal and external market participants.
• Overseeing development of client-facing pitch materials.

Skills

Commercial judgement

Strategic mindset

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Job description

Who We Are

FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations.

At FTI Consulting, you’ll work side‑by‑side with leaders who have shaped history, helping solve the biggest challenges making headlines today. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of a focused team where you can make a real impact. You’ll be surrounded by an open, collaborative culture that embraces diversity, recognition, professional development and, most importantly, you.

Role Overview

The Lead Researcher will lead the Origination Hub supporting FTI’s EMEA Restructuring practice. This role is central to driving market‑facing business development activity, managing the distressed opportunity watchlist, and coordinating origination efforts across the region. The Lead Researcher will work closely with EMEA Restructuring leadership, sector teams and the wider Corporate Finance practice to source, evaluate and activate opportunities, while overseeing the development of high‑quality materials and supporting client pitches. This is a leadership role with responsibility for shaping and embedding origination processes, managing a small team, and maintaining strong internal and external stakeholder engagement.

What You’ll Do

• Leading the day-to-day management of the Origination Hub and associated team members.
• Developing, refining and overseeing the origination process to ensure disciplined tracking, evaluation and progression of opportunities.
• Maintaining and managing the watchlist, ensuring transparency and prioritisation of high‑potential opportunities.
• Proactively sourcing and screening distressed and restructuring opportunities across EMEA.
• Assessing commercial relevance, feasibility and strategic alignment of new opportunities.
• Building and cultivating relationships with internal and external market participants to enhance deal flow.
• Shaping and driving coordinated go-to-market campaigns focused on thematic or sector opportunity pockets.
• Monitoring market developments and competitor activity to inform strategy and positioning.
• Ensuring follow-through and accountability on opportunity pursuit actions across the business.
• Overseeing the development of client-facing pitch decks, proposals and bespoke positioning materials.
• Coordinating insights from sector specialists, legal advisers and technical experts.
• Presenting internal points of view and opportunity assessments to senior stakeholders; participate in select external meetings where appropriate.
• Serving as a key linkage between EMEA Restructuring teams and broader Corporate Finance teams (Transformation, Due Diligence, Tax, M&A).
• Building strong working relationships across senior leadership to ensure alignment on origination priorities.
• Managing and mentoring junior team members and secondees, fostering a high‑performance culture.

How You’ll Grow

We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on-the-job learning, self-guided professional development courses and certifications. You’ll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth. As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.

What You Will Need to Succeed

• Strong commercial judgement and ability to determine relevance and prioritisation of opportunities.
• Ability to interpret financial information, legal documentation and market data to form a coherent restructuring viewpoint.
• Skilled in crafting high-impact, concise materials to support client and internal discussions.
• Confident communicator with proven ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strategic, proactive and commercially minded.
• Excellent organisational and workload management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Collaborative leader who builds trust and strong cross-functional relationships.
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable making recommendations in ambiguous or evolving situations.
• High level of professionalism, energy and drive.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Basic Qualifications

• Significant experience within restructuring, distressed investing, special situations or related advisory.
• Strong understanding of restructuring options, capital structures, credit instruments and market participants across EMEA.
• Demonstrated track record in identifying and qualifying new commercial opportunities.
• Strong financial modelling and scenario analysis skills.

Total Wellbeing

Our goal is to support the wellbeing of you and your families—physically, emotionally, and financially. We offer market competitive benefits (including pension), supplemented by 15 flexible benefits, to meet your needs. These include health, lifestyle and family friendly options. We also offer professional development programme, wellness, recognition, community volunteering initiatives, and flexible/hybrid working arrangements.

About FTI Consulting

FTI Consulting, Inc. is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation, with more than 7,900 employees located in 32 countries and territories. Our broad and diverse bench of award‑winning experts advise their clients when they are facing their most significant opportunities and challenges. The Company generated $3.7 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2024. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consulting’s services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalized and independently managed. FTI Consulting is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

FTI Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Additional Information

• Job Family/Level: Op Level 4 - Sr Director
• Citizenship Status Accepted: Not Applicable

Compensation

Details to be provided.