Associate - Direct Lending

Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank serving clients principally in the UK and South Africa. Our culture gives us our edge: we work hard to find colleagues who'll think out of the ordinary and we put them in environments where they'll flourish. We combine a flat structure with a focus on internal mobility. If you can bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to learn and collaborate to your work, this could be the boost your career deserves.

Role Overview:

Investec is seeking a motivated and skilled Originator at the Associate level to join our Leveraged Finance and Direct Lending team. This pivotal role will contribute significantly to the achievement of Investec's objectives through the origination and execution of debt finance mandates, client acquisition, and facilitating cross-selling opportunities within our corporate client base. The primary responsibility will be executing new lending opportunities and monitoring the existing asset portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Debt Financing: Originate and execute debt financing opportunities, primarily focusing on mid-market corporates (enterprise value €50-€500 million) in the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe (DACH and Benelux).
• Client Acquisition: Acquire new clients, particularly sponsor-backed entities, while nurturing and expanding existing relationships.
• Deal Structuring: Lead the structuring and execution of multi-bank loan transactions, ensuring excellence in credit analysis, due diligence, financial modelling, and legal documentation negotiation.
• Portfolio Management: Monitor and manage a portfolio of existing assets, ensuring optimal performance and compliance with internal policies.
• Financial Targets: Contribute to achieving financial budgets and return hurdles, including income generation, return on capital (ROC), and capital efficiency measures.
• Team Development: Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment, mentoring colleagues and promoting personal development.

Core Skills and Knowledge:

Technical Skills:

• Native German speaker with extensive knowledge of the DACH financing market.
• Proven experience in corporate debt origination and execution, with a strong existing client base among debt providers and private equity firms.
• High competence in analysing financial statements and assessing operational and financial risks.
• Deep understanding of structured finance and investment markets, including the negotiation of legal documentation.
• Familiarity with the internal credit authorisation process and compliance frameworks.

Personal Attributes:

• A proactive deal-maker with a strong desire to execute high-quality transactions.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for building an asset portfolio and enhancing our brand reputation.
• Collaborative team player, able to work effectively in a non-hierarchical environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building rapport with business leaders and decision-makers.
• Strong problem-solving and negotiation skills, with experience managing cross-functional teams.

As part of our collaborative & agile culture, our working week is 4 days in the office and one day remote.

Investec offers a range of wellbeing benefits to make our people feel healthier, balanced and more fulfilled in their lives inside and outside of work.

Here is a selection of what we offer;

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Subsidy, Corporate Gym Membership, Virtual GP, Peppy Health App (Fertility, Menopause and Early Parenthood), Optional Private Medical & Dental Insurance

Monetary

Non-contributory Pension & Discretionary Bonus

Life & Income Protection

Life Assurance, Critical Illness & Income Protection

Travel

Season Ticket Loan & Electric Vehicle Scheme

Embedded in our culture is a sense of belonging and inclusion. This creates an environment in which everyone is free to be themselves which helps to drive innovation, creativity and ultimately business performance. At Investec we want everyone to find it easy to be themselves, and to feel they belong. It's a responsibility we all share and is integral to our purpose and values as an organisation.

Research shows that some candidates can be reluctant to apply to a role unless they meet all the criteria. We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit here and welcome you to do the same – if the role excites you, please don't let our person specification hold you back. Get in touch!

Recite Me

We commit to ensure that everyone is fairly assessed during our recruitment process. To assist candidates in completing their application form, Recite Me assistive technology is available on our Careers pages. This can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Accessibility Options' link at the top of the page.

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If you have any form of disability or neurodivergent need and require further assistance in completing your application, please contact the Careers team at [email protected] who will be happy to assist.