Investment Associate

Apera Asset Management ("Apera") is a leading pan-European mid-market private debt investor with >€5bn of AUM with offices in London, Munich, Paris and Luxembourg. Apera’s Private Debt strategy focuses on senior secured financings in the UK, Ireland, DACH, the Nordic region, France and Benelux. Target investments range from £10 million to £150 million with emphasis on providing capital solutions to mid-market businesses which demonstrate downside resilience, competitive market positioning and attractive growth prospects.

As an Investment Associate, you will support across the full investment lifecycle opportunities, for senior, unitranche, and hybrid debt opportunities. Working closely with senior team members, you will help source, evaluate, execute, and monitor investments across a variety of industries and geographies. The role requires strong analytical capability, sound credit judgment, and the ability to communicate investment views clearly and confidently.

• Evaluate and underwrite new investment opportunities through rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Build and maintain dynamic financial models, including operating models, cash flow and covenant models, downside cases, and return sensitivities.
• Analyse risk/return, including expected returns, downside protection, optimal capital structure, and exit/refinancing scenarios.
• Support transaction execution across diligence, structuring, pricing, and closing: Coordinate commercial, financial, legal, tax, and accounting diligence workstreams.
• Engage with management teams, advisors, sponsors, and external counterparties.
• Review and interpret loan documentation and key legal terms (covenants, security packages, baskets, EBITDA definitions, events of default, intercreditor terms) and flag risks/issues.
• Prepare high-quality investment materials (IC memos, screening notes, model outputs, diligence summaries) and present recommendations for internal review and investment committee.
• Support portfolio monitoring and management. Track performance vs. underwriting case and financial covenants. Monitor KPIs, liquidity, leverage, and compliance; identify early warning signals.
• Evaluate follow-on opportunities such as add-on acquisitions, incremental debt, refinancing, and other portfolio transactions.

• Bachelor’s degree required (or equivalent practical experience).
• Typically, 2–4 years of relevant experience in one or more of: Private Credit / Credit Investing, Investment Banking (Leveraged Finance, Debt Advisory, M&A or Restructuring), Private Equity.
• Strong accounting and financial statement analysis capabilities including knowledge of working capital.
• Advanced financial modelling skills (complex operating models, scenario/sensitivity analysis, returns and capital structure modelling).
• Excellent Excel proficiency; strong analytical and technical execution ability.

• Competitive compensation package.
• Private healthcare (covering services such as GPs, physio, dental and optical).
• Insurance cover (life assurance, travel, income protection and critical illness cover).
• 30 days annual leave.
• Gym membership reimbursement, or Gympass reimbursement (unlimited access to gyms, studios, classes, and training including Barry’s Bootcamp, Soul Cycle and Fitness First).