Private Credit Associate | Chicago, IL, USA | In-Office

Private Credit Associate - Direct Lending

A leading global private credit platform with ~$20B AUM is expanding its team in Chicago, IL, to support continued growth and strong activity in the primary credit markets. The platform provides creative and flexible financing solutions for both sponsored and non‑sponsored companies and benefits from deep origination channels, disciplined underwriting, and long‑term capital stability.

The Private Credit Associate will play a key role in evaluating credit‑oriented investment opportunities in an active buy‑side / principal investing role across the platform's flagship direct lending strategy as well as its opportunistic credit fund. Approximately 80% of the role will focus on the core private credit strategy, with 20% dedicated to the opportunistic strategy, which targets structured capital solutions involving both debt and non‑control equity.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental credit analysis and detailed company‑level due diligence.
• Monitor existing portfolio investments and analyze financial performance.
• Build and evaluate complex three-statement financial models.
• Prepare detailed investment and credit memoranda.
• Present recommendations to senior leadership.
• Participate in cross-functional special projects.
• Oversee and mentor analysts on the team.
• Support legal documentation and execution of new investments.

Candidate Qualifications

• 2-4 years of relevant credit investing experience at an investment bank, BDC, high‑yield or leveraged loan fund, or private credit manager.
• Strong credit skillset with proficiency across capital structure analysis, including valuation of leveraged loans, high‑yield bonds, distressed securities, and private debt (senior and junior).
• Strong academic background; MBA not required.
• Ability to conduct industry research, form clear investment opinions, and produce concise written analyses.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.