Portfolio Manager - Sponsor Finance

Overview

A financial institution is establishing a dedicated Sponsor Finance vertical within its Commercial Bank and is seeking a Portfolio Manager – Sponsor Finance to contribute to its development. This role focuses on lending to private equity-backed middle market companies and offers involvement in underwriting, portfolio management, and credit decision-making.

Responsibilities

Underwriting & Deal Execution:

• Analyze new credit opportunities involving private equity-backed middle market companies across various industries
• Evaluate financial performance, projections, and capital structures, including detailed downside case analysis
• Review and interpret sponsor models and assess key assumptions
• Prepare credit approval materials such as deal screens, underwriting memos, and cash flow models with downside stress testing
• Present credit recommendations to Credit Administration
• Conduct industry and company research

Portfolio Management & Monitoring:

• Actively monitor a portfolio of sponsor-backed credits, including financial performance, covenant compliance, and risk trends
• Identify emerging risks and recommend appropriate actions such as amendments or restructurings
• Collaborate with relationship managers to maintain strong borrower and sponsor relationships
• Participate in or lead client due diligence meetings and ongoing sponsor dialogue

Platform Build & Strategic Contribution:

• Contribute to building the Sponsor Finance vertical, including developing processes, best practices, and credit frameworks
• Operate effectively in a dynamic environment with evolving infrastructure and limited precedent
• Manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership and take initiative in shaping the platform

Reporting

This position reports to the Team Leader - Credit Portfolio Management.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• Seven or more years of experience in a commercial lending environment
• At least 12 consecutive months of employment with the organization, possessing working institutional knowledge of credit policy and risk & industry appetite

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to work with limited supervision
• High level of credit aptitude, analytical skills, and industry knowledge across various business industries including commercial & industrial companies, residential real estate developers and builders, service providers, retail operations, commercial real estate developers and investors, religious organizations, and government
• For commercial real estate support, skills in construction loan underwriting and administration (construction budgets, sources/uses, draw administration, property entitlement, lease analysis, and property valuation) are required
• Experience making complex decisions and sound business judgments regarding lending activities
• Subject matter expertise in aligned industry, commercial credit, lending concepts, practices, and regulations
• Skilled in analyzing financial statements, tax returns, and cash flows of commercial & industrial or real estate companies
• Awareness of current conditions, significant events, and emerging trends within respective lines of business or sectors
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including selling, structuring, negotiating, closing, maintenance, modifications, and problem resolution
• Proficiency with PC applications such as Word and Excel
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to self-manage time, workflow, and multiple projects to meet deadlines
• Proactive in seeking learning opportunities to improve performance and knowledge
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Capability to serve as back-up for the Team Lead as needed
• Experience mentoring peers and training junior team members in underwriting and portfolio management
• Ability to identify process deficiencies and recommend improvements

Compensation & Benefits

Salary will be based on factors including education, work experience, and certifications. The position is eligible to participate in an applicable incentive compensation plan or a discretionary profit-sharing bonus program. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Additional Information

The employer is an Equal Employment Opportunity organization and maintains a drug-free workplace.