Associate - Leveraged Finance

SMBC; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

SMBC is seeking a Leveraged Finance Associate in New York to support analysis, structuring, underwriting and execution of leveraged credit transactions. You will collaborate with experienced professionals to optimize capital structures for PE-backed and corporate clients.

The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment. Hybrid work schedule and competitive benefits are available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• 3+ years of leveraged finance, investment banking, private credit, or related experience.
• Knowledge of leveraged loan and high yield markets.
• Quantitative and analytical skills with strong financial modeling capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task, operate under tight timelines while maintaining a collaborative team environment.
• Preferred: MBA candidate or progress toward CFA; experience supporting private equity‑backed transactions, familiarity with different industry verticals and market trends.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain detailed financial models, including LBO, cash flow, and sensitivity analyses.
• Support transaction origination efforts through preparation of client materials.
• Lead the drafting of credit approval packages, terms sheets and marketing materials.
• Coordinate across internal and external stakeholders to drive transaction underwriting process including credit, legal and coverage teams.
• Synthesize large amounts of data, conduct detailed company and industry due diligence and develop comparable transaction analysis.
• Present transactions to senior management, credit and approval committees.
• Assist with documentation and loan closing processes, including review of credit agreements and closing checklists.
• Demonstrate accountability for work quality, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Train and develop analysts

Skills

Financial modeling

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Multi-tasking

Leveraged finance knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics

MBA/CFA (preferred)

Job description

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $150,000.00and $200,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description

The Leveraged Finance Associate is an execution‑oriented professional responsible for supporting the analysis, structuring, underwriting and execution of leveraged credit transactions. The Associate works closely with experienced professionals in developing optimal capital structures for private equity-backed and corporate clients. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast‑paced transaction environment.

Role Objectives

• Build and maintain detailed financial models, including LBO, cash flow, and sensitivity analyses
• Support transaction origination efforts through preparation of client materials
• Lead the drafting of credit approval packages, terms sheets and marketing materials
• Coordinate across internal and external stakeholders to drive transaction underwriting process including credit, legal and coverage teams
• Synthesize large amounts of data, conduct detailed company and industry due diligence and develop comparable transaction analysis
• Present transactions to senior management, credit and approval committees
• Assist with documentation and loan closing processes, including review of credit agreements and closing checklists
• Demonstrate accountability for work quality, accuracy, and timeliness
• Train and develop analysts

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
• 3+ years of leveraged finance, investment banking, private credit, or related experience
• Knowledge of leveraged loan and high yield markets
• Quantitative and analytical skills with strong financial modeling capabilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to multi-task, operate under tight timelines while maintaining a collaborative team environment
• Preferred: MBA candidate or progress toward CFA; experience supporting private equity‑backed transactions, familiarity with different industry verticals and market trends.

SMBC’s employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required.

SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at [e-mail].