Debt and Structured Finance jobs
Our ability to provide search quality at contingency speed is based upon our people, our brand and the fact that we have been recruiting into the Debt & Structured Finance arena since 1984. In 2008 our business was equally split between contingent recruitment and retained search and we successfully placed candidates at every level, from Analyst to Managing Director in a variety of sectors.
Given the wide variety of backgrounds from which professionals can be sourced, a multi-faceted approach to any recruitment exercise is vital. By combining our unrivalled database and track-record of effective networking and head-hunting, we structure the solution we provide to suit your needs. In the same way, our fee arrangements are competitive and structured to reflect the individual nature of each assignment.
Corporate Banking
Whilst banks continue to adopt different approaches to corporate banking and corporate coverage, there is a general trend towards hiring candidates capable of cross-selling a variety of products. Candidates with structured finance ability and specialist sector expertise (e.g. Media, FI, Industrials) are the most valued.
Credit Analysis/Credit Research/Credit Risk
Always a core area for us, especially recently, we placed a number of Heads of Risk in 2008/9. Going forward, present market difficulties will increase the importance of Credit Functions and there will be an increase in demand for Structured Trade Finance and Hedge Funds professionals.
Property Finance
The historic strength of the UK’s regional property market has allowed us to place a number of senior candidates into banks wishing to expand their market share. In 2008/9, due to the property slump, our main focus has been Social Housing, where we have enjoyed great success, in no small part thanks to the ex – Lloyds Social Housing banker on our team.
Leveraged Finance
In what has historically been a core area for us, 2007/2008 was a difficult period. However, we weathered the downturn well, recruiting into both the buy and sell side in every type of institution, from boutique advisory houses and market leading CLOs through to the lead arranging and participant banks. The strength of our relationships in this area has meant we continued to recruit in this space throughout 2008 and though, 2009, understandably, has seen dramatically less activity, we remain one of the market-leading recruiters in this space.
Distressed Debt/Workouts
The market downturn and the effect it has had on the debt market, especially leveraged business, means that more institutions are preparing to or have built up their workouts/distressed teams. The Distressed Debt Fund area is of particular interest to us and we are prepared to meet any increase in demand, be it from funds or banks looking to actively invest in the space. We have a strong track record spanning 18 years+ in this arena.
Project Finance
In Project Finance we have noticed a pronounced shift in demand, away from candidates with largely UK experience and towards those who have worked on transactions in Continental Europe and Emerging Markets. Candidates with relevant languages and strong technical skills are therefore highly sought after. However, due to the heavy capital demands of PF, this will be another difficult area going into 2009/10, although the PFI market has seen increasing activity.
Securitisation
An area where we have a successful track record, but which, understandably, has seen limited activity in 2008. Halfway through 2009 we are starting to see an increase in activity.
Trade/Export Finance
With a well-connected, ex-structured trade financier on our team, we have a unique perspective of this niche market and a successful record of working with major players, from top tier investment banks to commodity traders. Product focus varies from vanilla LC’s and import loans to ECA, pre-export finance and bespoke receivables financing.
Tax Structured Finance/Asset Finance
This is a highly specialised business and an area where we have had a presence for a number of years. Whether your business is agency or principal based, covering a range of jurisdictions and products, we have the expertise to assist. Working with the top teams in the industry, we source candidates from legal and accounting practice as well as moving more experienced market players.
Syndications
This is another core business for us and we have enjoyed substantial success for a number of years, at all levels, particularly in placing Head of Syndications. We have also achieved impressive wins in Leveraged Finance, Project Finance, STF and Corporate Syndications, covering origination, execution and distribution. 2008/2009 saw us enjoy success in trading, covering distressed debt, leveraged finance and EM Credit Trading.
Contact us
To find out more about how we can help you with your recruitment requirements, contact Andrew Breach, Head of Debt & Structured Finance. Email andrewbreach@michaelpage.com or telephone 020 7645 1437.
To view our current Debt and Structured Finance jobs please click here
