Senior Director, Independent Sponsors

Thin Cats is the Groups specialist brand for mid sized SMEs providing consistent timely and flexible funding solutions of 2m to 30m through pioneering data personal relationships and a pragmatic lending process. This role sits within Corporate Leverage and is originated under the Thin Cats brand.

• Independent Sponsors (IS) are experienced deal makers who identify structure and lead buyouts and growth acquisitions without a committed fund behind them raising equity deal by deal from co-investment partners as each transaction requires. Sponsors typically secure exclusivity first and syndicate equity to close so judging equity certainty and the sponsors ability to deliver it is central to the underwrite.
• As Senior Director you will be a senior originator and a recognised part of Thin Cats face to market in the independent sponsor community driving the identification structuring and execution of IS transactions and leading deal teams including more junior colleagues.
• You will own the client and sponsor relationship on your transactions working within the appetite pricing framework and standards set by the Head of Independent Sponsors and contributing to the teams origination profitability and return on equity targets.

Key Responsibilities

Originate With Authority

• Maintain an active network of senior level relationships with independent sponsors their co-investment partners intermediaries and advisers active in the UK lower mid-market.
• Act as a key go-to point of contact for inbound enquiries and be recognised as part of Thin Cats face to market in the independent sponsor community generating new opportunities through targeted outbound activity.
• Qualify opportunities against IS criteria and the teams risk appetite focusing on majority or control positions or significant minority stakes with clearly controlling governance rights and recognising when a transaction is better served elsewhere in the Group.

Structure and Deliver

• Structure negotiate and execute the larger and more complex IS debt facilities underwriting the target business the sponsors track record and their ability to deliver equity certainty to completion.
• Analyse target businesses and financial models in detail to build a thorough view of risk and structure facilities that meet the sponsors needs while protecting the Bank appropriately.
• Write or supervise high quality sighting and credit papers ensuring all material risks are identified minimised and mitigated and presented with a clear recommendation.
• Lead the client and sponsor relationship through diligence credit approval and legal completion working with the Transaction Management team who drive execution and keeping the deal moving through clear direction and fast decisions.

Lead and Develop

• Lead deal teams including more junior colleagues on your own transactions and in support of colleagues deals more broadly.
• Maintain senior level relationships with Portfolio Risk Operations Credit and Finance relevant to any given transaction.
• Serve as a role model within the team supporting the development of less experienced team members.

Act With Judgement on Risk Governance and Conduct

• Report all issues of regulatory concern to the Operations Director / Bank Legal & Compliance Director promptly and effectively.
• Maintain strong governance and conduct discipline throughout: clear rationale strong documentation no surprises.

Qualifications :

Skills & Experience

• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to manage complex issues; strong grounding in financial models and financial statements.
• In-depth knowledge of leveraged and acquisition finance structures including negotiation of legal documentation.
• Judgement on equity certainty and syndication risk in deal-by-deal funded transactions.
• Strong track record of commercial acumen strategic thinking executive level reporting and effective business planning.
• Thorough comprehension of credit risk management credit administration loan production and servicing.

Education/Professional Qualifications

Shawbrook is committed to providing opportunities to all candidates and understand that not all candidates may possess a qualification or education aligned to the role. We will assess each candidate on their individual experience and skills and not solely on level of education.

Key attributes

• An originator first: established in the independent sponsor market and hungry to build Thin Cats franchise there.
• Comfortable underwriting without a fund behind the sponsor: assesses the sponsors track record…