At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the charge in originating and structuring direct lending deals across Europe.
- Company: Join a pioneering private credit platform backed by top-tier financial institutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive compensation, autonomy in your role, and global collaboration opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values speed and innovation in capital efficiency.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building a new business line in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in Private Debt with a strong network in mid-market Private Equity.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
About Liquidity
Liquidity is a global, data-driven private credit platform pioneering a new standard in capital efficiency. Backed by tier-one financial institutions including MUFG Bank Ltd., Spark Capital, and KeyBank, we deploy capital to high-growth and mid-market companies across North America, Europe, and APAC. While we established our reputation as a leader in Venture Lending, we are now aggressively expanding our mandate into the Lower Mid-Market (LMM) and Leveraged Buyout (LBO) space.
The Role
The Origination Director - Direct Lending is a strategic franchise-building role. You will spearhead Liquidity’s entry into the European middle-market, translating our tech-enabled advantage into a compelling proposition for traditional Private Equity sponsors. You will not simply be a "sourcing lead"; you will be a core member of the Investment Team. You will act as the primary deal architect, owning the lifecycle from initial origination and term sheet negotiation through to the final credit decision. You will have the autonomy to build this channel from the ground up, moving the firm beyond Venture into the broader world of Sponsored Finance.
Key Responsibilities
- Origination & Sourcing: Leverage a deep, active network of relationships with Partners and Investment Directors at UK and European PE firms to originate off-market LBO, refinancing, and growth capital opportunities ($10M–$150M).
- Deal Structuring & Negotiation: Lead the front-end execution. You will be responsible for structuring the deal, issuing the term sheet, and negotiating commercial terms that balance competitive sponsor requirements with Liquidity’s credit parameters.
- Investment Execution: Work in tandem with the Credit & Underwriting team to navigate the investment process. While the credit team manages the deep-dive diligence models, you will maintain the commercial momentum and ensure the "deal logic" remains intact.
- Market Strategy & Product Loop: Act as the feedback loop between the market and the Investment Committee. You will help refine our mid-market product offering, advising on where our "speed of capital" advantage can be best deployed (e.g., rapid add-ons, complex carve-outs, or tech-enabled buyouts).
- Partnership Management: Establish Liquidity as a "first call" lender. Shift sponsor relationships from transactional interactions to long-term partnerships, ensuring we are top-of-mind for their portfolio support and new platform acquisitions.
- Market Presence: Represent the firm at industry conferences and panels, articulating the shift from traditional direct lending to data-enabled private credit.
Qualifications
- Experience: 8–10+ years in Private Debt, Direct Lending, or Leveraged Finance. You must have a proven track record of originating and executing debt transactions specifically with Private Equity clients.
- The Network: You bring an active network of mid-market Private Equity sponsor relationships in London/Europe. You are able to secure meetings with decision-makers immediately upon joining.
- Commercial Investment Mindset: You are an investor first. You are fluent in mid-market lending mechanics, EBITDA adjustments, and leverage multiples. You understand how to structure a deal that protects the lender while solving the sponsor's problem.
- Sector Expertise: Experience lending to Software/Technology companies within a Leveraged Finance context is highly preferred, as this is the natural bridge between our Venture heritage and our mid-market/LBO future.
- Entrepreneurial Drive: You are excited by the prospect of building a business line. You prefer the agility of a growth-stage platform over the bureaucracy of a traditional bank or mega-fund.
Why Join This Strategy?
- Speed is your Edge: Tired of losing deals to slow Investment Committees? Our data infrastructure allows us to issue term sheets and close deals significantly faster than traditional direct lenders. You will have a genuine competitive advantage to sell.
- Autonomy: This is a "white space" role. You will define the go-to-market strategy for our mid-market business in Europe.
- Global Reach: While focused on Europe, you will collaborate with our teams in New York and APAC, offering cross-border financing solutions to your global sponsors.
Director, European Direct Lending Origination employer: Israelvcforum
At Liquidity, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions innovation and agility in the private credit space. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and empowers employees to take ownership of their roles, particularly in strategic positions like the Director of European Direct Lending Origination. With a commitment to professional growth and a unique advantage in speed and efficiency, we offer our team members the opportunity to make a significant impact while working alongside top-tier financial institutions in a global environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, European Direct Lending Origination
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, especially those in Private Equity. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in deal structuring and negotiation. Share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex transactions in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Liquidity, and express your interest in contributing to their growth. A well-timed email can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to apply directly. It shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and ready to dive into the exciting world of private credit.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, European Direct Lending Origination
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director, European Direct Lending Origination. Highlight your experience in Private Debt and your network within mid-market Private Equity. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for building relationships and your entrepreneurial spirit. Let us know how you can leverage your skills to help Liquidity expand into the European market.
Showcase Your Deal Experience:In your application, be sure to showcase specific examples of deals you've originated and executed. We love numbers, so include details about the size and complexity of the transactions to demonstrate your expertise in the field.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Israelvcforum
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the private debt and direct lending landscape, especially in the European market. Brush up on recent trends, key players, and how Liquidity's tech-enabled approach sets it apart from traditional lenders.
✨Leverage Your Network
Since this role requires a deep network of relationships with Private Equity firms, be prepared to discuss your connections. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully originated deals in the past and how those relationships can benefit Liquidity.
✨Showcase Your Deal Structuring Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience in deal structuring and negotiation. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to balance sponsor requirements with credit parameters, and how you've navigated complex transactions in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
This role is all about building something new, so convey your excitement for the challenge. Share instances where you've taken initiative or led projects that required agility and innovation, showing that you're the right fit for a growth-stage platform.
