Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank serving clients principally in the UK and South Africa. Our culture gives us our edge: we work hard to find colleagues who'll think out of the ordinary and we put them in environments where they'll flourish. We combine a flat structure with a focus on internal mobility. If you can bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to learn and collaborate to your work, this could be the boost your career deserves.

What does the team do?  

Direct Lending provides financing to businesses (typically with EBITDA £3m-£75m) in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe (specifically Benelux and DACH regions) for both financial sponsor and non- financial sponsor backed owners. Finance provision is typically event driven and includes growth capital, acquisition finance & management buyouts, leveraged finance & syndicated debt, refinances & recapitalisations and structured corporate lending. Our core capabilities include originating, structuring and arranging capital for financial sponsors, entrepreneurs and owner-managers and, thereafter, portfolio and balance sheet management. 
We have been supporting UK and European businesses for more than 15 years and currently have £2.0bn+ AuM across our balance sheet and discretionary funds supporting 115+ clients. In the last 12 months we deployed >£800m of assets across 500 transactions supporting our clients' growth ambitions. 
We have a proactive, flexible and solutions-driven approach and seek to customise debt solutions that fit the client's needs. Structures are typically senior secured debt and unitranches, integrated asset-based & cash flow solutions, subordinated debt and minority equity, working capital and capex/acquisition facilities with the ability to provide underwrites and/or bridge structures where a client need exists. Target returns range from gross yields of 3.0% to 10.0%+. This provides our empowered investment professionals a wide platform to optimise origination efforts and to deliver financing certainty, rapidly, to clients all day, every day across the business lifecycle

What will this role's primary focuses be?

Responsible for the credit analysis, structuring and execution of lending opportunities and the portfolio management of assets post transaction

Providing full origination, structuring & execution and deal support across the deal life-cycle.

Performance and Development will reviewed via the team “Performance Lens” as follows:-1.    Client, Connectivity & Collaboration 
2.    Financial Growth (short term)
3.    Financial Performance (long term)
4.    Internal effectiveness and risk consciousness
5.    People and team contribution and impact

The core focus is to be on the following:-

•    Structuring & Execution – Ensuring excellence in credit analysis, due diligence assessment, financial modelling, deal structuring (including active balance sheet management / optimisation) and execution (including gaining credit approvals and legal documentation negotiation). 
•    Internal Effectiveness & Risk Consciousness – Actively contribute to the delivery of financial budgets and return hurdles including income, contribution, ROC / ROE and capital efficiency measures. 
•    Team Development – Challenging, harnessing and nurturing the talents of the G&LF team and assist in developing a strong and enjoyable working environment promoting teamwork, collaboration and personal development to maximise performance. 

What key relationships will this role have?

External – Financial Sponsors & Corporate Management; Financial Intermediaries; Finance Partners; DD Providers; Law Firms.

What technical knowledge/ skillset are we interested in?

•    Extensive knowledge of and credibility within the UK corporate market with strong external marketing / presentation skills. Deal origination skills are a fundamental requirement of this role and prior experience of corporate debt origination and execution is necessary. 
•    An existing client base with established management relationships.
•    A high level of competence in the analysis of company financial statements, business / operational and financial risks for the purpose of assessing potential opportunities. 
•    Highly numerate with strong execution and structuring skills and a proven ability to execute and drive forward strategic plans to meet financial targets set against proven risk assessment, monitoring and control skills.
•    A deep knowledge of Structured Finance and Investment Markets. The identification and structuring of appropriate financing solutions and the negotiation of legal documentation.
•    In depth and demonstrable knowledge of all aspects of the internal Credit authorisation process / policy.
•    Ensuring full compliance with internal Procedures / Compliance / Organisational policies and frameworks in order to maintain the teams licence to operate. 

What personal skills & attributes are we looking for?

•    A proven deal doer with a relentless hunger to execute great deals with great clients. 
•    An entrepreneurial desire to build an asset portfolio and to further enhance our strong brand and reputation.
•    A team-first collaborative approach. Able to work in alongside a team of professionals in an open, collaborative and non-hierarchical team environment. 
•    Must have the ability to build rapport and relationships with business leaders and decision makers. Highly developed interpersonal, communication and team skills are critical for this role.  This role requires experience in managing and co-ordinating small teams (often cross-product) across multiple projects at a time as well as advanced negotiation, problem solving and networking skills. 
•    A self-starter with a drive for results. High attention to detail and a motivation and ambition to deliver a consistent high quality output. An on-going drive for personal development and continuous improvement.

As part of our collaborative & agile culture, our working week is 4 days in the office and one day remote.

Investec offers a range of wellbeing benefits to make our people feel healthier, balanced and more fulfilled in their lives inside and outside of work.

Here is a selection of what we offer;

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Subsidy, Corporate Gym Membership, Virtual GP, Peppy Health App (Fertility, Menopause and Early Parenthood), Optional Private Medical & Dental Insurance

Monetary

Non-contributory Pension & Discretionary Bonus

Life & Income Protection

Life Assurance, Critical Illness & Income Protection

Travel

Season Ticket Loan & Electric Vehicle Scheme 

Embedded in our culture is a sense of belonging and inclusion. This creates an environment in which everyone is free to be themselves which helps to drive innovation, creativity and ultimately business performance. At Investec we want everyone to find it easy to be themselves, and to feel they belong. It's a responsibility we all share and is integral to our purpose and values as an organisation.

We want our people to feel empowered to be themselves in an environment that supports them, enabling them to perform in “out of the ordinary” ways. Our culture places belonging and inclusion at its centre and our work environment is integral to this. If you require any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, as well as supportive and flexible working arrangements to help you succeed with us, please let our recruitment team know.

Research shows that some candidates can be reluctant to apply to a role unless they meet all the criteria. We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit here and welcome you to do the same – if the role excites you, please don't let our person specification hold you back. Get in touch!