Director, Sponsors Advisory

CFC- Chatham Financial Corporation; Kennett Square (Chester County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

CFC- Chatham Financial Corporation is seeking an experienced derivatives professional for a Director level position in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. This role involves serving as a senior strategic advisor to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies.

The successful candidate will design and execute hedging strategies, negotiate derivative transactions, and mentor junior advisors. Strong expertise in derivatives and private equity, along with executive-level communication skills, is essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in finance, derivatives, or related fields.
• Direct commercial negotiation experience with bank counterparties.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior strategic advisor to private equity sponsors.
• Independently design and execute hedging strategies.
• Lead negotiations of derivative transactions.

Skills

Derivatives expertise

Executive-level communication

Analytical skills

Negotiation with banks

Understanding of private equity

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or master's degree in finance

Job description

Overview

We don’t simply hire employees. We invest in them. When you work at Chatham, we empower you — offering professional development opportunities to help you grow in your career, no matter if you've been here for five months or 15 years. Chatham has worked hard to create a distinct work environment that values people, teamwork, integrity, and client service. You will have immediate opportunities to partner with talented subject matter experts, work on complex projects, and contribute to the value Chatham delivers every day.

Role summary

Chatham Financial is looking for an experienced derivatives professional to join our Sponsors Advisory team at the Director level. The role offers a dynamic, fast-paced work environment where team members develop a deep understanding of derivative products and markets. This role is designed for senior practitioners who are ready to operate as trusted advisors to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior strategic advisor to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies
• Independently design and execute interest rate and FX hedging strategies across leveraged capital structures
• Lead pricing, structuring, and negotiation of derivative transactions directly with bank counterparties
• Provide guidance on ISDA negotiation, credit considerations, and documentation strategy
• Present strategic recommendations to CFOs and investment professionals
• Influence portfolio-level risk management frameworks across sponsor platforms
• Mentor and develop junior advisors
• Build rapport and, together with other Chatham teams, develop relationships with clients to identify new hedging as well as non-hedging opportunities

You will take ownership of and contribute actively to training newer advisors and potentially have opportunities for extended assignments within our clients’ teams where there is a fit. You will partner with colleagues in other service areas to identify additional client needs and provide comprehensive solutions.

Our most experienced team members take on responsibility for a client sector or service and are involved in business development.

Your impact

This is an important role within the team, and individuals who perform well will be highly valued team members. Career development opportunities involve gaining leadership or managerial responsibilities, managing cross-team processes, becoming senior relationships to large private equity sponsors, and fostering strong working relationships with counterparty banks.

Characteristics that set this role apart

• True independence — no balance sheet, no product conflicts
• Scale of sponsor access — work with many of the largest private equity firms globally
• Technology-enabled advisory — proprietary analytics integrated into client strategy
• Employee ownership — alignment with firm growth and client outcomes

Contributors to your success

• "Do right by the client" attitude, inquisitive mindset, self-starter, team player
• Proven drive, intellectual curiosity, and desire to grow personally and professionally
• Proven orientation towards collective team performance

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of relevant industry experience in real estate, finance, derivatives, capital markets, risk advisory, or related fields
• MBA or master's degree in finance or related credentials (CFA, CPA, MAI) a plus, but not required
• Direct commercial negotiation experience with bank counterparties
• Strong understanding of private equity and real estate capital structures as well as leveraged finance, project finance and private credit markets
• Executive-level communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate raw data into practical insights