Japan leverage finance VP- Director

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Leveraged Finance professional to join our Corporate & Investment Banking division. This role will focus on origination, structuring, and executing leveraged buyouts (LBOs), corporate acquisitions, and syndicated debt solutions for financial sponsors and corporate clients, with a specific emphasis on the Japan market .

The successful candidate will lead deal execution, maintain senior client relationships, and collaborate closely with regional coverage and syndication teams to drive the growth of our Leveraged Finance franchise.

1. Identify, originate, and pitch leveraged finance opportunities (LBOs, mezzanine financing, corporate acquisitions, and recapitalizations) for private equity sponsors and corporate clients in Japan.
2. Develop and maintain strong relationships with financial sponsors, investment banks, legal advisors, and corporate clients active in the cross-border and domestic Japanese market.
3. Prepare high-quality pitch books, market updates, and financing proposals tailored to client needs.

1. Lead the structuring of complex debt transactions, including senior, mezzanine, unitranche, and high-yield debt facilities.
2. Oversee complex financial modeling, including LBO analysis, debt sizing, returns analysis, and comprehensive stress-testing.
3. Manage the entire due diligence process (financial, legal, commercial, and tax diligence) for incoming transactions.
4. Lead the drafting and negotiation of legal documentation (term sheets, facility agreements, intercreditor agreements).

1. Draft and present robust credit applications to internal Credit Committees, defending transaction structures and risk-mitigant profiles.
2. Collaborate closely with the Debt Capital Markets (DCM) and Syndication teams to assess market liquidity, price transactions accurately, and ensure successful distribution.
3. Monitor portfolio performance and manage post-closing requirements for executed transactions.

1. Experience: Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in Investment Banking, Corporate Banking, or a dedicated Leveraged Finance / Private Debt team.
2. Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Japanese banking landscape , local regulatory environments, and financial sponsor dynamics.
3. Technical Skills: Expert-level financial modeling, valuation, and LBO analysis skills. Strong credit analytical capabilities are essential.
4. Legal Familiarity: Proven experience negotiating complex loan documentation (LMA/local standard credit agreements).
5. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field (MBA, CFA, or CPA is a plus).

1. Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required for regional reporting and global stakeholders.
2. Native or Professional Fluency in Japanese is highly preferred / mandatory to effectively communicate with Japanese corporate clients, financial sponsors, and local stakeholders.