VP Leveraged Finance

A leading global financial institution is seeking a Vice President Leveraged Finance to join their London-based team within the Global Corporate Investment Banking Division. This role offers an exceptional opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the origination, structuring, and execution of large cap leveraged buyout financings and direct lending transactions for private equity sponsors across EMEA.

You will be part of a highly collaborative environment, working closely with internal stakeholders and product teams to deliver tailored financing solutions and maximise revenue opportunities. The organisation is committed to supporting your professional growth, offering exposure to complex deals, strategic initiatives, and the chance to contribute to the development of junior team members. Flexible working arrangements and ongoing training opportunities are available, ensuring you can thrive both personally and professionally while making a significant impact on the business.

• Join a globally respected financial institution in London, where you will play a pivotal role in structuring and executing high-profile leveraged finance transactions for private equity sponsors across EMEA.
• Benefit from flexible working opportunities and comprehensive training programmes designed to enhance your expertise in deal structuring, risk management, and cross-selling strategies.
• Work collaboratively with experienced professionals across multiple teams, gaining exposure to diverse products and markets while contributing to the growth and success of the leveraged finance group.

What you'll do:

As Vice President Leveraged Finance, you will be at the forefront of structuring complex leveraged buyout financings for private equity sponsors. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve preparing detailed client marketing materials, conducting rigorous financial analysis, negotiating transaction terms, and executing deals that meet both client needs and organisational objectives. You will work collaboratively across multiple teams ranging from Credit to Capital Markets to ensure each transaction is delivered efficiently while maintaining high standards of risk management. Your role also includes supporting leadership initiatives by mentoring junior colleagues and providing strategic input into broader business goals. Success in this position requires a keen eye for detail, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to delivering outstanding results under tight deadlines. You will have ample opportunity to expand your knowledge base through exposure to diverse products such as loans, bonds, private placements, asset-based lending lines (ABL), as well as mergers & acquisitions market dynamics.

• Prepare and present client marketing materials such as presentations and pitch books in coordination with other deal team members, ensuring all relevant internal approval documents are completed with thorough industry and company analysis.
• Execute leveraged finance deals by delivering the highest quality transaction outcomes, maintaining robust risk management practices, and ensuring client satisfaction throughout every stage of the process.
• Negotiate terms and documentation for leveraged finance transactions alongside senior deal team members, leveraging expertise from Transaction Execution functions and Capital Markets teams.
• Assist in generating profitable deal flow from private equity sponsors within EMEA by executing underwritten financings and direct lending transactions that align with targeted frameworks and geographic focus areas.
• Retain ongoing responsibility for risk management of onboarded assets in partnership with Portfolio Management teams, driving incremental revenue and identifying cross-selling opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Credit, Sponsor Coverage, Capital Markets, Financial Institutions Coverage, Corporate Coverage, Growth & Mid Market Tech, Compliance, and Audit to promote the strategic mission of Leveraged Finance.
• Support team leadership in managing and developing junior team members through mentoring, guidance, and sharing best practices.
• Provide strategic support to Leveraged Finance leadership as required, contributing insights that help shape the direction of the group.
• Maintain excellent communication with clients and internal partners to ensure seamless execution of transactions and uphold the good standing of the team within the bank.

What you bring:

To excel as Vice President Leveraged Finance you will bring substantial experience in executing sponsor-driven leveraged finance transactions across Europe. Your background should include deep technical expertise in credit analysis at sub-investment grade levels along with advanced financial modelling capabilities. You will possess a thorough understanding of various banking products from loans to asset-based lending and demonstrate proficiency in negotiating complex documentation. Your established network within capital markets will enable you to drive profitable deal flow while your corporate finance acumen ensures sound judgement during transaction structuring. Soft skills such as clear communication, empathy towards colleagues’ perspectives, attention to detail under pressure, and a nurturing approach towards junior team members are vital. Your ability to manage multiple stakeholders simultaneously while maintaining accuracy sets you apart. Advanced qualifications like CFA or MBA further strengthen your profile but are not mandatory if you have equivalent practical experience.

• At least six years’ experience transacting European private equity sponsor-backed leveraged finance deals in lead roles within either banking or debt fund environments.
• Detailed understanding of sub-investment grade credit analysis combined with expertise in cash flow modelling and documentary negotiation for leveraged finance transactions.
• Sound knowledge of banking products including loans, bonds, private placements, ABL lines as well as familiarity with Debt Capital Markets (DCM) and M&A market dynamics.
• Advanced grasp of deal structuring principles supported by demonstrable negotiation skills when engaging both internal partners and external counterparties.
• Comprehensive corporate finance principles/accounting knowledge complemented by existing relationships with capital markets professionals within the private equity industry.
• Excellent presentation skills paired with proven ability to negotiate effectively during complex transaction processes.
• Experience leading large cap underwriting LBO transactions is highly desirable for this role.
• Degree level education or equivalent work experience; relevant post-degree qualifications such as CFA, ACA or MBA are preferred.
• Exceptional communication abilities coupled with strong interpersonal skills that foster collaboration across teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; fluency in English is essential while additional language skills are considered advantageous.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates