Power and Project Finance Associate - Los Angeles, CA

Zions Bancorporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. in Los Angeles seeks a Power and Project Finance Associate to support origination and execution of power project lending through credit analysis, financial modeling, risk management, loan execution, and ongoing client support, while helping manage a portfolio of existing project finance loans.

The role emphasizes rigorous financial analysis, strong modeling skills, and collaboration with Capital Markets and client teams.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in project financing or related lending.
• Direct experience with power sector lending preferred.
• Strong Excel-based financial modeling skills.
• Excellent analytical and written credit analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform due diligence, financial modeling, and analysis; identify key risks; assist senior bankers with loan structuring and pricing; prepare extensive written credit analysis.
• Provide analytical, underwriting and marketing support during origination and execution of new lending opportunities.
• Review loan documentation; coordinate lead arranging opportunities; quarterback deal team through closing.
• Apply credit policies and processes for new transactions.
• Develop relationships with internal constituents; collaborate with Zions Capital Markets teams.
• Develop external client relationships; serve as backup contact for clients when needed.
• Act as primary account officer for assigned transactions; maintain risk ratings; process consents and amendments; monitor borrower reporting.

Skills

Financial analysis

Excel modeling

Credit analysis

Due diligence

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, business, accounting or related field

Job description

Power and Project Finance Associate - Los Angeles, CA

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (NYSE: ZION) is a premier financial services company with ~$100B in assets operating through 8 brands in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. With a leading market share in small and middle‑market banking, the Bank’s 500+ client managers and 200+ wealth advisors have vigorous client development strategies that feed into Zions Capital Markets.

Zions Bancorporation is one of the nation’s premier financial services companies operating as a collection of great banks under local brands and management teams in high‑growth western markets. Zions is regularly recognized by American Banker magazine as having a top banking team in its list of 'The Most Powerful Women in Banking'. Our customers consistently vote us as the best bank in our local markets. We value our employees, and we are committed to search out, recognize and create fulfilling opportunities for outstanding people within our organization, rewarding them for their contributions to our success. We recognize that banking is a 'local' business, and that to be successful, we must have very strong ties to the communities we serve and strong relationships with our customers. California Bank & Trust is a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A., one of the nation’s premier financial services companies.

With benefits starting on day one, 12 bank holidays, profit sharing and company‑matched 401(k) contributions, Zions is dedicated to being an employer of choice in our communities. At Zions, the possibilities are endless. You bring the talent; we bring the opportunity.

We are looking for a Power and Project Finance Associate in Los Angeles, CA. This role focuses on supporting the origination and execution of power project finance lending opportunities through credit analysis, financial modeling, risk management, loan execution, and ongoing client support, while helping manage a portfolio of existing project finance loans.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for performing due diligence, financial modeling, and analysis, identifying key risks, assisting senior bankers with loan structuring and pricing, preparing extensive written credit analysis, and assisting with credit presentations on new deal opportunities.
• Provides analytical, underwriting and marketing support during the origination and execution of new lending opportunities.
• Responsible for reviewing loan documentation, assisting in the coordination of lead arranging opportunities, and quarterbacking a transaction deal team through deal closing.
• Applies all applicable credit policies and internal processes for the execution and funding of new transactions.
• Develops relationships and credibility with key internal constituents. Works closely with Zions Capital Markets colleagues, including loan syndications and sales & trading.
• Develops external relationships with clients including junior members of client companies and serves as a backup contact for clients when primary relationship managers are unavailable.
• Acts as primary account officer on assigned transactions within the portfolio, including maintaining accurate risk ratings, processing consents, and amendments, evaluating borrower reporting, preparing monitoring materials and other tasks and administrative items.
• Keeps informed of financial and market trends in the power and energy industry and the impact this has on new opportunities as well as the existing portfolio.
• May assist with the training, development and work review of other analysts and associates.
• Some travel is required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in finance, business, accounting or a related field and 4+ years of experience in project financing, commercial lending, or investment banking. Direct experience with lending in the power sector is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may meet qualifications.
• Advanced knowledge of project finance or power project development is preferred.
• Proven ability to organize multiple demands on time and assist with the oversight, training, and development of junior bankers.
• Strong attention to detail and high degree of proficiency producing written analysis of financial statements, modeling outputs and key risks and mitigating factors.
• Strong analysis and Excel-based financial modeling skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to quickly establish credibility with new people and cultivate relationships (internally and externally).

Compensation

This position offers a base salary range of $135,000 to $150,000 annually, commensurate with job‑related factors such as experience and geographic location. The role is also eligible for an annual performance‑based bonus.

Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including - but not limited to - relevant experience, skills, expertise, location, education, and certifications.

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - START DAY ONE!
• Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• Health Savings (HSA), Flexible Spending (FSA) and dependent care accounts
• Paid Training, Paid Time Off (PTO) and 11 Paid Federal Holidays, and any applicable state holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match, Profit Sharing, competitive compensation in line with work experience
• Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying employees enrolled in an accredited degree program related to the needs of the business, maximum of $5,250 per calendar year, employees are eligible for the program upon hire.
• Employee Ambassador preferred banking products

This position will be open until filled.

All candidates, including those with criminal histories will be considered for employment. However, a background check adjudicated consistently with the FDIC Section 19 regulation will be completed on any candidate who accepts a conditional job offer from the Company. Because the Company is a financial institution, the FDIC guidelines apply to all positions within the company and as such any and all job duties have a direct relationship to a candidate’s criminal history and that criminal history would need to align with the FDIC Section 19 regulations.

Zions Bancorporation, National Association prohibits illegal discrimination and reaffirms its policy of providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), by extending equal employment and advancement opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, gender, disability, national origin, ethnic background, citizenship, protected veteran status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

It is the Company’s policy not to discriminate because of a person’s relationship or association with a protected veteran. This includes spouses and other family members. Also, Zions will safeguard the fair and equitable treatment of protected veteran spouses and family members with regard to all employment actions and prohibit harassment of applicants and employees because of their relationship or association with a protected veteran.

Applicants Requesting Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting us at [e-mail] or 801/844-7618.

California Bank and Trust a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC