PERM - CD - LB0 - Vice President

Section 1 - Details

Job Title / Corporate Title

Vice President

Department / Group

Credit Department, LBO CD(E)

Responsible to / Line Manager

Managing Director, Credit Department, LBO CD(E) / Senior Credit Officer

Direct Reports

Location

London

Date Prepared

Aug 2024

Certification regime

Out of scope

Section 2 – Purpose of Job

• Critical challenge and detailed review of credit submissions from Front Office providing recommendations to Approvers within CD or EMEA/Tokyo HQ.
• A second line of defence role providing credit risk management / oversight of new leveraged finance / LBO transactions and the existing leveraged finance portfolio across EMEA.
• Direct responsibility for review of portfolio accounts reporting to approvers and as part of a team as necessary on new deals, complex situations, special credits

Section 3 – Background

• Report to Managing Director / Senior Credit Officer of LBO CDE within a team of c.12 leveraged finance credit professionals. Act as primary analyst on portfolio accounts and new transactions, with oversight of a secondary analyst where required.
• Manage credit application and approval process in conjunction with Front Office / SPD (first line of defence).
• Engage with Front Office professionals and provide appropriate challenge on risk issues / develop workable solutions to mitigate risk issues.

Section 4 – Facts / Scale

• LBO CD is a team of c.14 leveraged finance credit professionals.
• Assist in management of a c.US$7.5bn portfolio of leveraged finance loans with primary responsibility for credit management of c.170 customers
• Assessment of new transactions (c.200 ‘Early Read Meetings’ and c.70 new approvals per annum), annual reviews and gradings
• Waiver and amendments for portfolio accounts.

Section 5 – Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Risk assessment of new leverage finance transactions and management of a portfolio of leverage credits including Problem Assets involving negotiations externally with Borrowers/PE House/ Professional advisers.
• Working as a trusted partner with Front Office deal teams to ensure delivery to clients whilst maintaining high credit quality. Articulate CD risk perception and appetite for a transaction in line with bank policy and procedures, manage the interaction and communication with front office teams, and attend meetings with clients where necessary. Present transactions to final credit approvers.  
• Flexibility to work to tight deadlines under pressure (including ability to work outside of contracted hours from time to time / as workflow demands).
• Collaborate with other risk and compliance functions where appropriate to ensure enterprise wide view of risk is considered. 
• Assist other members of the team by proactively taking work in a manner which ensures work is fairly distributed, particularly in times of strong work flow / staff absences.
• Develop relationships within the team: seek guidance and advice from colleagues; express well-reasoned arguments and influence senior management; and assist in recruitment and training of more junior staff.
• Willingness / flexibility to be involved in ad hoc projects supporting the strategy of LBO CD(E) and the wider department / institution.

Section 6 – Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Degree level education and / or equivalent professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, ACT, CFA, MBA)
• 5yrs+ experience at SMBC or in a credit management role within a major international bank, with some specific leveraged finance experience.
• Strong working knowledge of LBO, corporate loan products, trade finance products and derivative products, including familiarity with documentation and market trends.
• High level of IT literacy, strong written and verbal communication skills (supporting preparation of succinct and focused credit papers), and strong interpersonal skills (supporting collaboration / teamwork).
• Experience of problem asset management / work-outs and experience within a Front Office role is desirable.
• Have a broad network of professional relationships within the financial, legal and sponsor communities and up to date knowledge of trends in the leveraged finance and wider corporate markets is desirable.

Section 7 – Challenges

• Short deadlines and ability to think clearly whilst working under pressure
• Dissemination of key risk issues from a large volume of information in credit papers and Due Diligence reports
• Conflict management between front office and CD as part of a rigorous ‘propose and challenge’ process between first and second lines of defence
• Protecting the balance sheet in a higher risk business