Vice President Private Debt

Business Unit & Team: Prime, Private Debt

Reporting To: Head of Private Debt Co‑investments

Location: London, Hybrid

Company Overview: BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) is the asset‑management division of BNP Paribas Group. As of July 1, 2025, AXA Investment Managers’ (AXA IM) activities have been fully integrated into BNPP AM, creating a unified and strengthened global platform. BNPP AM is a leading global asset manager, leveraging the Group’s scale, stability, and expertise. We serve a diverse client base, including institutional investors, corporations, distribution partners, and retail clients worldwide. Our investment capabilities cover a broad range of asset classes, from traditional strategies such as equities, fixed income, and multi‑assets to alternatives such as real estate, infrastructure, private debt, and private equity, allowing us to tailor solutions to meet client objectives. With AXA IM’s integration, BNPP AM now ranks among Europe’s top asset managers, managing approximately €1.6 trillion in assets, focusing on long‑term savings and alternative strategies. Sustainability is central to our approach; we prioritize ESG and responsible investing to deliver sustainable, long‑term performance while supporting environmental, social, and economic transitions.

Job Purpose: This role primarily involves analysing and structuring co‑investments in private debt opportunities and making investment recommendations for the private debt portfolios across a wide range of industries, geographies (Europe and the US), and instruments (unitranche, senior secured, and subordinated debt). The selected candidate will execute co‑investments in direct‑lending investments under the responsibility of the Head of Private Debt Co‑investments.

Your Daily Responsibilities:

• Opportunities screening: review new credit opportunities (direct investments, to a lesser extent LP investments and secondary trades) and quickly assess their credit merits, associated risks and key legal terms; determine how an investment aligns with portfolio construction objectives and targeted returns; understand ESG impact and alignment with AXA IM Prime targets; share findings and make preliminary recommendations.
• Deal Execution & Monitoring: Run in‑depth analysis of credit opportunities, including review of information material, due diligence reports, assessment of key risks and mitigants; prepare comprehensive financial modelling with sensitivity analysis and business valuation/debt coverage. Assess appropriate debt structures and terms, including review of term sheets and credit term agreements. Prepare credit papers and present recommendations to portfolio managers and relevant investment committees. Lead and run the deal process until closing, working closely with internal and external parties as appropriate (legal, ESG, operations, finance, compliance, external counsel, and fund administrator). Closely monitor the financial performance of investments, perform reporting and quarterly valuations, and manage amendments and refinancing of allocated portfolio assets.
• Client Relationship, Reporting and Fund Raising: Maintain relationships with third‑party asset managers, origination partners, portfolio company management teams, sponsors, advisors, and law firms. Interact with external and internal investors (AXA Group, BNPP AM, etc.) regarding investment performance, market views, and other matters. Monitor portfolio and asset performance impact. Ensure accuracy of reporting tools and produce regular reporting documents for AXA IM Prime clients.
• AXA IM Prime Business Set‑up: Contribute to AXA IM Prime primary fund selection and work with the structuring team to set up relevant vehicles. Contribute to building a best‑in‑class reporting tool that meets internal and third‑party requirements.

Qualifications and Experience: Master’s degree in Economics or Engineering (with applied finance). Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of German, Nordic languages, Dutch, or French is a plus. Restructuring experience is also a plus. Proven experience in direct lending and/or leveraged finance within buy‑side funds, asset managers, banking institutions, or debt advisory firms. Origination experience is not essential, but strong credit acumen and execution capability are paramount. Must‑have skills: credit and financial analysis, cash‑flow modelling and sensitivity analysis, legal documentation review and negotiation.

Knowledge and Skills: Strong team orientation with capacity for intensive independent work. Strong analytical skills. Strong writing and presentation capabilities. Emphasis on quality of analysis for clients. Strong integrity, self‑starter, and can‑do attitude. Excellent relationship management. Experience in running a deal team on a transaction and coaching junior team members.