Job Description
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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can gain early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.
YOU CAN EXPECT
A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
We support the causes you care about, by giving you one day per year off to volunteer with any charity that you are involved with outside of work.
A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, ****** orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives
Team Structure:
The Leveraged Finance team ispart of our Debt Finance practice which in turn is part of our wider Finance practice group. The Debt Finance team deals with a wide range of transactional financings including leveraged finance, real estate finance, asset-based lending, secured and unsecured corporate lending, non-contentious debt restructurings and distressed situations involving corporate trustees. This role is for a dedicated leveraged finance associate but there will be opportunities to deploy your skill set supporting other teams within the Debt Finance practice.
The opportunity
This role is for an experienced Associate or Managing Associate, to join our expanding leveraged finance team. Our team operates in the mid-market and we are looking for someone who has in-depth experience of that market.
You will work on a mix of both borrower and lender side transactions and the ideal candidate will have experience of both. Your clients will include traditional banks, challenger banks, alternative lenders, private equity sponsors and corporates.
You can expect to gain experience across a broad spectrum of acquisition financings and cashflow lending transactions, including senior, unitranche, super senior, mezzanine, and holdco PIK facilities. You would also work alongside our Private Equity team on the financing aspects of leveraged buyouts for our private equity clients.
You will join a team with an ambitious growth strategy backed by our senior leadership, in a role which offers room for career progression. There is genuine long term partnership track for the right candidate. You will work with two highly regarded Leveraged Finance partners as well as a team of Managing Associates and Associates, supported by a trainee.
Much of the work is cross-border for which you will be navigating the challenges that can arise in overseas jurisdictions in order to ensure a smooth process.
You would join a culture that is informal and supportive; we are aiming to do work of the highest quality, but in an environment which prizes enjoyment as well as excellence. The Debt Finance team benefits from the support of two dedicated Knowledge Development Lawyers.
Main Responsibilities:
Drafting and negotiating finance documentation including facilities agreements and intercreditor agreements on a range of deal structures
Taking the lead on transaction management and supervising deal teams including delegating work to, and managing, junior lawyers, trainees and paralegals
Liaising with clients and other law firms throughout a deal process, with the ability to run key workstreams independently with limited Partner supervision
Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within the Firm, developing one’s own internal and external networks of contacts
Active involvement in business development including client entertainment, delivery of client training and client bulletins
Active involvement in know-how initiatives including exploring the application of AI and other technology products to improving the efficiency of a deal process
Attributes/Skills Required:
Qualified lawyer with excellent academic and professional qualifications
Extensive post qualification experience of mid-market leveraged finance in the UK gained in private practice is essential
Background in a firm with an excellent reputation in the field of banking and finance
Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply up-to-date knowledge of the law
Accuracy and attention to detail
Excellent communication skills
Enthusiasm for business development
Organised and able to work to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically
Willingness to challenge and stretch oneself
Resilient with the ability to handle set-backs and pressure
Cooperative and collaborative in approach and is able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and roles
Ability to operate professionally and proactively at all times
Good housekeeping/file management practices; manages and records time promptly and accurately
Experience of managing junior solicitors, trainees and paralegals.
This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm’s strategy and business needs.
About the Firm:
Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.
Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.
With more than 1,500 people, including 220+ partners, across ten offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.
We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.
220+ PARTNERS
10 OFFICES
45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE
Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou
Our brand strengths:
GO FAR, GO TOGETHER
EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW
CAN DO PERSONALITIES
ALWAYS READY
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Leveraged Finance Associate /Managing Associate position is now open for candidates interested in the Back Office Jobs sector. This role in London offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Back Office Jobs is a plus.
