Senior Associate, Private Credit Portfolio Management

Deerpath Capital Management; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Deerpath Capital Management, a leading direct lending firm, seeks a Senior Associate to underwrite opportunities for existing portfolio companies, monitor investments, and engage with private equity sponsors and management teams. You will prepare quarterly valuations and drive deal execution across industries.

You will develop complex financial models (LBO, cash flow, valuations) and mentor junior staff in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment. Travel is expected as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with strong academic achievement.
• 5–8 years in principal investing, private credit, private equity, or related areas.
• Strong credit analysis, complex financial modeling, and valuation skills.
• Experience with deal execution across industries and transaction types.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior team members.
• Self-motivated in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Willingness to travel; restructuring experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite investment opportunities for existing portfolio companies and present recommendations.
• Actively manage credit investments, analyze performance shifts, and report to leadership.
• Drive deal execution and build relationships with sponsors and management teams.
• Develop and review complex financial models and valuations; present findings.
• Support amendment negotiations and deal structuring.
• Coordinate documentation workstreams including credit agreements and amendments.
• Partner with restructuring team on workouts.
• Develop and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Credit analysis

Financial modeling

Valuation analysis

Legal documentation

Deal execution

Mentoring juniors

Interpersonal skills

Travel willingness

Restructuring experience

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
• 5-8 years 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

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.