Director / Executive Director / Junior Managing Director - Large-Cap Sponsor Coverage (London)

Location: London, United Kingdom

Build Something Different

An established and growing financial platform is seeking an entrepreneurial Sponsor Coverage and Leveraged Finance Originator to help build a market-leading sponsor finance franchise.

This is a rare opportunity for a commercially minded banker to step away from a traditional investment banking environment and play a leading role in creating and scaling a business. The successful individual will be responsible for developing relationships with leading private equity sponsors, originating financing opportunities, and helping establish a lending platform focused on sponsor-backed companies.

The role is ideally suited to individuals who enjoy winning business, building relationships and operating with a high degree of autonomy.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing relationships with Tier 1 and upper mid-market private equity firms and originating opportunities across their portfolio companies.

The long-term strategy is to build a scalable sponsor coverage and sponsor finance platform capable of providing:

• Leveraged Finance solutions
• Acquisition Finance
• Private Credit
• Direct Lending
• Underwritten Financings
• Capital Markets Solutions
• Portfolio Company Financing

The business is looking to establish itself as a trusted financing partner to sponsors and their portfolio companies, with lending commitments typically in the £25-30 million range serving as a gateway to broader sponsor relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage relationships with leading large-cap and upper mid-market private equity sponsors.
• Originate acquisition, refinancing, recapitalisation and growth financing opportunities.
• Identify lending opportunities across sponsor-owned portfolio companies.
• Act as the primary relationship manager for sponsor clients.
• Generate opportunities across leveraged finance, private credit and capital markets products.
• Lead sponsor meetings and develop new business opportunities.
• Build long-term relationships with investment professionals, operating partners, CEOs and CFOs.
• Work closely with internal execution teams to deliver financing solutions.
• Drive revenue generation and franchise growth through active client engagement.
• Help shape the future direction of the platform and contribute to team expansion.

Who We Are Looking For

We are interested in speaking with professionals currently operating at:

• Director
• Senior Director
• Executive Director
• Junior Managing Director

The search is intentionally broad and we welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• Financial Sponsor Coverage
• Large Cap Leveraged Finance
• Acquisition Finance
• Corporate & Investment Banking Coverage
• Debt Capital Markets
• Leveraged Finance Capital Markets
• Corporate Banking with Sponsor Coverage exposure
• Debt Advisory
• Big 4 Debt Advisory
• Specialist Financing Advisory boutiques

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful individual will possess:

• A deep and established network across private equity sponsors.
• A demonstrable track record of originating and winning business.
• Strong relationships across Tier 1 and upper mid-market sponsors.
• Exceptional commercial instincts and relationship management skills.
• A highly proactive approach to business development.
• The credibility to engage with senior sponsor stakeholders from day one.
• A genuine desire to build a platform over the long term.

We are particularly interested in individuals who thrive on client interaction, spend significant time in the market, and enjoy creating opportunities through relationship-led origination.

What Sets This Opportunity Apart

This role is not designed for someone looking to maintain the status quo.

It is aimed at professionals who:

• Want to build something meaningful.
• Enjoy operating in entrepreneurial environments.
• Have the ambition to create and scale a franchise.
• Are motivated by winning business and developing market presence.
• Want to play a leading role in shaping a growing platform.

The successful hire will be given the opportunity to establish themselves as the face of the business within the sponsor community and help drive future growth, including the build-out of dedicated execution resources at VP and Associate level.

Key Attributes

• Deep sponsor network
• Proven origination track record
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Commercially driven
• Relationship-focused
• Highly proactive
• Long-term orientation
• Strong execution awareness
• Team-building mentality
• Desire to create a market-leading franchise