Debt Finance Associate

A&O Shearman; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in Riyadh seeks an associate/senior associate (0–7 PQE) for its Debt Finance group. The role covers general lending, project and structured finance, asset and real estate finance, and advisory support on debt issuances for banks, sponsors, and borrowers in KSA. Visa eligibility for GCC nationals currently applies.

The candidate will draft and advise on financing documents, manage client expectations, and contribute to business development in a fast-paced, international environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with experience in general financing transactions.
• Experience on debt and project finance preferred.
• Strong academic credentials and professional conduct.

Responsibilities

• General lending and project finance.
• Asset finance and structured finance including securitisation.
• Real estate and developmental finance work.
• Acquisition and leveraged finance responsibilities.
• Support Global Financial Markets on debt issuances.
• Work on conventional and Islamic financings.
• Drafting and reviewing financing documents; client advisement.

Skills

Financing transactions

Islamic finance

Client relationship

Legal research

Negotiation

Attention to detail

Education

Law degree

Job description

We are currently recruiting for an associate senior associate NQ - 7 PQE to join our Debt Finance group in Riyadh.

Department purpose

As the pre-eminent Debt Finance practice globally we have built our reputation supporting our sponsor and lender clients in the leveraged acquisition finance and high yield space Our team has broad product coverage with market leading specialists advising on amongst other things fund finance trade and commodities finance and pre-IPO finance With the recent opening of our Riyadh office we are growing our reach to advising the world s leading investment and commercial banks direct lenders alternative capital providers and investment funds as well as financial sponsors and corporate borrowers and issuers on all types of financings including bonds sukuk and securitisation within the KSA

Role purpose

We are looking for high quality applicants with strong experience in general financing transactions to join a dynamic new team in Riyadh where the quality of the increasing pipeline of work is second to none.

Role and responsibilities

• General lending
• Project finance
• Asset finance
• Structured finance and securitisation
• Real estate and developmental finance
• Acquisition and leveraged finance
• Supporting our Global Financial Markets department on corporate and sovereign debt issuances
• Work on conventional and Islamic financings

Drafting and advising

• Drafting, reviewing and amending documentation
• Strategically advising clients in meetings, on the phone and in writing
• Managing client expectations and project delivery appropriately
• Business development: development of personal plan, assistance with and implementation of business development campaign
• Legal research

Qualified lawyer: 0-3 PQE ( Associate ) and 4-7 PQE ( Senior Associate ) Due to current visa eligibility requirements, applications for the Associate role are limited to GCC nationals.

Required skills and attributes

• Strong technical knowledge of the legal framework surrounding general financing transactions
• Outstanding academic credentials
• Intellectual curiosity and versatility
• Self-starter with the desire and ability to continuously acquire, build upon and share knowledge
• Detail-focused and self-motivated approach
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent client relationship skills
• Sound experience of operating at associate level within a complex international organisation
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to deliver creative and pragmatic solutions and advice
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner and fee-earner community, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with the ability to develop and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility