Vice President/Associate Director, Direct Lending (Originations, Underwriting & Portfolio Manag[...]

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Job Description : Summary

Summary

Fidelity Investments established a new Chicago-based lending team in 2021 to pursue private credit investing. Our leveraged finance platform targets middle-market private equity backed businesses seeking financing for LBOs, acquisitions, dividends and other investments.

We are looking for investor-minded, entrepreneurial, and accomplished candidates looking to join a growing team, gain significant experience and responsibility quickly, and help leverage the Fidelity name in this growing market.

The Group

The High Income & Alternatives group has more than $100B in assets under management (AUM). The group’s AUM are invested across the capital structure, including in high yield bonds, leveraged loans, convertible bonds and equities.

Fundamental research is the foundation of the group’s investment process.

The Role

Based in Chicago, this is an opportunity to join a growing team for the newly formed middle market direct lending strategy of Fidelity’s High Income & Alternatives group.

This is a new important strategy for Fidelity where you will be a key member of the investment team. This individual will be responsible for supporting senior debt origination, underwriting and portfolio management capabilities within the broader direct lending group.

This includes support of the firm’s effort to construct and lead high quality, diversified senior loan portfolios that exceed market risk-adjusted returns, and evaluation and execution of financing opportunities in a manner that balances strong credit disciplines with a positive customer relationship approach.

Success in this role will require excellent work ethic, a self-starter mentality, and the ability to work independently, while also collaborating within a growing team.

Successful Associate Directors / Directors will be primary candidates for promotions as the team continues to grow.

Responsibilities

The Associate Director / Director will lead and actively contribute to all aspects of origination, due diligence, and relationship / portfolio management.

These responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

• Leading underwriting processes, which includes analyzing and summarizing all due diligence materials related to the credit quality of businesses, specifically the analysis of the company’s historical and present financial condition, products and / or services, sales and marketing strategies, customer and supplier base, industry dynamics, competitive position, management team, and financial projections.
• Actively communicate with investment bankers, company management and private equity sponsors.
• Working with internal and external legal counsel regarding investment documentation.
• Becoming a subject matter expert on key private credit strategies and an advocate for the firm.
• Monitoring trends in the market and proposing solutions in response.
• Responsible for training and mentoring associates; potentially managing a team of associates.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who have the following characteristics :

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field required, advanced degree a plus.
• 8-12 years of experience in leverage finance, preferably with a top tier alternative lending platform.
• Advanced financial modeling skills and comfort dealing with a variety of capital structures.
• Leadership skills and ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to create compelling, thoughtful, and creative presentation materials.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Collaborative and proactive personality.

Standards

The following standards are considered to be fundamental to the way in which our company operates :

• Responsibility
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Expertise

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