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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Originate and execute bespoke leveraged finance deals, managing the full deal lifecycle.
- Company: Join a leading private credit fund focused on UK SME lending.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with varied responsibilities and close collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-growing platform while building strong industry relationships.
- Qualifications: Strong leveraged finance experience and solid technical skills are essential.
- Other info: Ideal for ambitious candidates ready to step into a senior role.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
A leading private credit fund is seeking a high-performing dealmaker to join its UK SME lending platform. This rare opportunity is ideal for an ambitious Associate, Senior Associate, Junior Associate Director, or current Associate Director with leveraged finance experience, looking to step into a dynamic, origination-focused role.
The Role:
- Originate and execute bespoke leveraged finance deals (£1m–£20m), including MBOs, acquisitions, growth capital, and refinancing.
- Take ownership across the full deal lifecycle, from sourcing and structuring to credit analysis, negotiation, and execution.
- Build and manage strong relationships with advisors, brokers, and sponsors across the UK mid-market.
- Operate in a lean team environment with varied responsibilities and close collaboration with credit, legal, and portfolio teams.
Who We’re Looking For:
- Strong leveraged finance experience, whether from a bank, debt fund, or debt advisory.
- Solid technical foundation: credit writing, structuring, and modelling.
- Strong interpersonal and commercial skills with origination potential or track record.
- Entrepreneurial and ambitious, ready to step up into a broader, more senior role.
Whether you’re a strong Associate looking to break into a front-office AD role, or a rising AD ready to accelerate toward Directorship, this is your opportunity to make a real impact in a fast-growing private credit platform.
Senior Associate / Associate Director – Leveraged Finance Origination employer: Buckden Partners
Contact Detail:
Buckden Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Associate / Associate Director – Leveraged Finance Origination
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the leveraged finance community. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences to meet professionals who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities at our firm.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your deal-making experience in conversations. Be prepared to discuss specific deals you've worked on, highlighting your role in sourcing, structuring, and executing transactions to demonstrate your fit for this origination-focused position.
✨Tip Number 3
Research our company thoroughly. Understand our investment strategy, recent deals, and market positioning. This knowledge will help you engage meaningfully during interviews and show your genuine interest in joining our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Develop strong relationships with advisors and brokers in the UK mid-market. These connections can be invaluable for sourcing deals and can also lead to referrals that may help you land a role with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate / Associate Director – Leveraged Finance Origination
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your leveraged finance experience prominently. Focus on specific deals you've worked on, your role in the deal lifecycle, and any successful outcomes you've achieved.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss your relevant experience in origination and how it aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Interpersonal Skills: Given the importance of relationship-building in this role, emphasise your interpersonal skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with advisors, brokers, or sponsors in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Detail your technical abilities in credit writing, structuring, and modelling. Consider including specific examples or projects where you applied these skills effectively to demonstrate your expertise.
How to prepare for a job interview at Buckden Partners
✨Showcase Your Deal-Making Experience
Be prepared to discuss specific leveraged finance deals you've worked on. Highlight your role in the origination process, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to drive results.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Brush up on your credit writing, structuring, and modelling skills. Be ready to answer technical questions or even walk through a case study during the interview. Showing that you have a solid technical foundation will reassure them of your capability in this role.
✨Emphasise Relationship-Building Skills
Since the role involves managing relationships with advisors, brokers, and sponsors, be prepared to discuss how you've successfully built and maintained professional relationships in the past. Share examples that highlight your interpersonal skills and commercial acumen.
✨Exude Ambition and Entrepreneurial Spirit
This position is ideal for someone looking to step into a more senior role. Convey your ambition and readiness to take on broader responsibilities. Share your vision for how you can contribute to the growth of the private credit platform and make a real impact.
