Senior Analyst/Associate Underwriter Portfolio Manager-Sponsor

The position requires strong financial analysis, credit underwriting, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work closely with private equity sponsors, company management teams, internal credit partners, and other bank product groups throughout the deal lifecycle. The Sr Analyst(Underwriter Portfolio Manager II) /Associate (Underwriter Portfolio Manager III) Sponsor Finance Position plays an active role in underwriting, execution, and portfolio management of sponsor-backed leveraged finance transactions.

Overview:

This is a hybrid role, with the expectation that work time will regularly take place inside and outside of a company office.

 

At First Citizens Bank, we believe meaningful careers are built through meaningful relationships. For more than 125 years, we've supported our clients, communities and colleagues through a culture rooted in connection, collaboration and long-term success.

 

First Citizens Sponsor Finance provides cash flow and asset based senior debt for private equity-backed transactions in the middle market and lower middle market throughout the United States

 

The Sr Analyst(Underwriter Portfolio Manager II) /Associate (Underwriter Portfolio Manager III) Sponsor Finance Position plays an active role in underwriting, execution, and portfolio management of sponsor-backed leveraged finance transactions. The position requires strong financial analysis, credit underwriting, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work closely with private equity sponsors, company management teams, internal credit partners, and other bank product groups throughout the deal lifecycle.

Responsibilities & Qualifications:

Duties & Responsibilities:

 

Underwriting (70%):

• Perform detailed financial, operational, industry, and credit analysis for new leveraged finance opportunities involving private equity-backed companies.
• Build and review financial models assessing historical and projected performance, cash flow, leverage, liquidity, debt repayment capacity, covenant compliance, and downside scenarios.
• Analyze transaction structures, sponsor support, industry dynamics, and key credit risks and mitigants; prepare underwriting memoranda, credit approval packages, and internal presentation materials.
• Support due diligence, structuring, legal documentation, funding, and closing in coordination with sponsors, management teams, legal counsel, lenders, and third-party providers.

 Portfolio Management (30%):

• Monitor an assigned portfolio of sponsor-backed borrowers, including financial performance, liquidity, covenant compliance, and performance against underwriting expectations.
• Prepare annual reviews, amendments, waivers, add-on financing requests, and other portfolio-related credit approvals.
• Identify emerging risks, recommend appropriate mitigants or action plans, and maintain accurate risk ratings, financial spreads, covenant information, and monitoring records.
• Maintain complete credit files and ensure ongoing compliance with credit approvals, bank policies, and internal and external review requirements.

Senior Analyst/Underwriter Portfolio Manager II-Sponsor:

 

Qualifications:

 

Bachelor's Degree and 1 years of experience in Credit analysis, underwriting or Risk Management OR High School Diploma or GED and 5 years of experience in Credit analysis, underwriting or Risk Management

 

Preferred Skills:

 

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field.
• The completion of a formal credit training program is desired but not required.
• One or more years of experience in commercial banking, leveraged finance, private credit, investment banking, transaction advisory, or a related credit role.
• Experience in financial analysis, credit underwriting, or portfolio management, with exposure to leveraged loans and private equity-backed transactions preferred.
• Strong understanding of financial modeling, capital structures, cash flow lending, leverage metrics, debt repayment analysis, and financial covenants.
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to work effectively in a lean deal-team environment.

 

 Associate/Underwriter Portfolio Manager III-Sponsor:

 

Qualifications:

 

Minimum Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree and 2 years' experience OR High School Diploma or GED/Equivalent and 6 years' experience in Credit analysis, underwriting or Risk Management

 

 

Preferred Skills:

 

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field.
• The completion of a formal credit training program is desired but not required.
• Two or more years of experience in commercial banking, leveraged finance, private credit, investment banking, transaction advisory, or a related credit role.
• Experience underwriting and managing leveraged loans or private equity-backed transactions involving middle-market companies.
• Strong financial modeling and credit skills, including the ability to independently assess transaction structures, company and industry risks, debt capacity, covenants, and downside scenarios.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and project-management skills; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to independently manage multiple transaction and portfolio priorities.

 

Additional Information:

Senior Analyst/Underwriter Portfolio Manager II-Sponsor:

The base pay for this position is generally between $90,000 and $105,000. Actual starting base pay will be determined based on skills, experience, location, and other non-discriminatory factors permitted by law. For some roles, total compensation may also include variable incentives, bonuses, benefits, and/or other awards as outlined in the offer of employment.

 

Associate/Underwriter Portfolio Manager III-Sponsor:

 

The base pay for this position is generally between $110,000 and $130,000 . Actual starting base pay will be determined based on skills, experience, location, and other non-discriminatory factors permitted by law. For some roles, total compensation may also include variable incentives, bonuses, benefits, and/or other awards as outlined in the offer of employment.

 

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.