Senior Associate, Private Credit

deerpathcapitalmanagement; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Deerpath Capital Management, LP, based in Chicago, is seeking a Senior Associate to underwrite new opportunities, monitor existing investments, and guide junior team members. You will analyze credit risk, build complex financial models, and coordinate deal execution with private equity sponsors and management teams.

The role offers significant responsibility from day one in a high-exposure environment, with opportunities to influence outcomes across the portfolio and drive value creation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with strong academic achievement.
• 6–10 years of relevant work experience in principal investing, private credit, private equity, investment banking, leveraged finance, restructuring, or corporate banking.
• Strong understanding of credit analysis, complex financial modeling, valuation analysis, and legal documentation.
• Strong deal execution experience across industries and transaction types.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite investment opportunities for existing portfolio companies and present recommendations to the investment committee.
• Actively manage credit investments by analyzing changes in company performance and industry trends, and present frequent updates to the firm’s leadership.
• Drive deal execution and develop relationships with private equity sponsors, management teams, and other industry stakeholders.
• Develop and review complex financial models, including LBO, cash flow analysis, and valuations, and present key findings.
• Support amendment negotiations and deal structuring.
• Coordinate documentation workstreams, including the review and negotiation of credit agreements, amendments, and other transaction materials.
• Partner with the restructuring team on workouts.
• Develop and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Credit analysis

Financial modeling

Valuation analysis

Deal execution

Mentoring

Interpersonal skills

Willingness to travel

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Company Description

Deerpath Capital is a leading direct lending firm specializing in providing first lien, senior debt financing to middle market companies. Deerpath is focused on providing debt capital for acquisitions, refinancings, ownership transitions and growth capital to companies in the U.S. lower middle market. Deerpath has investment offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, as well as overseas investor relations offices in London, Seoul, Tokyo and Brisbane. The firm employs approximately 100 employees.

Position Overview

This is a high-exposure role spanning underwriting, portfolio management, and restructuring. The Senior Associate will work closely with senior deal team members and provide guidance to junior team members to underwrite new opportunities for existing portfolio companies, monitor and manage investments, engage with private equity sponsors and management teams, and prepare quarterly valuations. This role offers meaningful responsibility from day one and the opportunity to drive outcomes across the portfolio.

Primary Responsibilities

• Underwrite investment opportunities for existing portfolio companies and present recommendations to the investment committee.
• Actively manage credit investments by analyzing changes in company performance and industry trends, and present frequent updates to the firm’s leadership.
• Drive deal execution and develop relationships with private equity sponsors, management teams, and other industry stakeholders.
• Develop and review complex financial models, including LBO, cash flow analysis, and valuations, and present key findings.
• Support amendment negotiations and deal structuring.
• Coordinate documentation workstreams, including the review and negotiation of credit agreements, amendments, and other transaction materials.
• Partner with the restructuring team on workouts.
• Develop and mentor junior team members.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required with strong academic achievement
• 6-10years of relevant work experience in principal investing (private credit, private equity, etc.), investment banking, leveraged finance, restructuring, or corporate banking
• Strong understanding of credit analysis, complex financial modeling, valuation analysis, and legal documentation
• Strong deal execution experience across industries and transaction types
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior team members
• Self-motivated and driven with an ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deal-oriented environment
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal skills
• Willingness to travel
• Restructuring experience is a plus

NO RECRUITERS or AGENCIES for this posting. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Deerpath will be considered Deerpath property. Deerpath will NOT pay a fee for any placements resulting from the receipt of any unsolicited resumes.

Deerpath Capital Management, LP is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristics.