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Leveraged Finance Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150 - $170/hr

As an Associate, you will work closely with experienced credit research analysts to monitor ... leveraged loans and bonds * Build and maintain financial models and databases to monitor and ...

Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K/yr

As an Associate, you will work closely with experienced credit research analysts to monitor ... leveraged loans and bonds * Build and maintain financial models and databases to monitor and ...

Showing results 21-40

Leveraged Finance Associate information

See California salary details

$30.1K

$69.4K

$136.2K

How much do leveraged finance associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for leveraged finance associate in California is $69,449.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,300.00 and $76,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a leveraged finance associate?

Leveraged Finance Associates are finance professionals who support the structuring, underwriting, and execution of debt financings, typically for companies with higher levels of debt or for transactions such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, and acquisitions. They work within investment banks or financial institutions and focus on deals involving high-yield bonds and leveraged loans. Their responsibilities include financial modeling, preparing marketing materials, conducting due diligence, and coordinating with clients and other stakeholders. Leveraged Finance Associates play a key role in assessing credit risk and ensuring that complex transactions meet both client and bank objectives.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a leveraged finance associate?

To thrive as a Leveraged Finance Associate, you need a strong background in financial analysis, credit risk assessment, and a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Proficiency in financial modeling, Bloomberg Terminal, and Excel, along with familiarity with deal structuring and loan documentation, is typically required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills help you collaborate effectively with clients and internal teams. These skills are crucial for successfully evaluating complex transactions, mitigating risks, and driving profitable financing solutions in a competitive market.

What are the most common challenges faced by a leveraged finance associate when managing multiple transactions simultaneously?

Leveraged Finance Associates often juggle several transactions at once, which can be challenging due to tight deadlines, varying deal complexities, and the need to coordinate with multiple internal and external stakeholders. Balancing thorough financial analysis, due diligence, and documentation while adapting to changing client needs requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Successful associates proactively communicate with their teams, prioritize tasks, and remain adaptable to ensure that each deal progresses smoothly and efficiently.

Does leveraged finance associate pay well?

Leveraged finance associates typically earn competitive salaries that include base pay, bonuses, and benefits, reflecting the demanding nature of the role and the financial industry standards. Compensation often increases with experience, performance, and the size of the firm, with some earning six-figure total compensation packages. Strong financial modeling skills and industry knowledge are valued in this role.

Is it hard to get into leveraged finance?

Leveraged finance associates typically face competitive entry due to the specialized nature of the role, which requires strong financial modeling, credit analysis, and relevant internship experience. Candidates often need a background in finance, accounting, or economics, along with strong academic performance and networking to improve their chances of breaking into the field.

What are popular job titles related to Leveraged Finance Associate jobs in California?

For Leveraged Finance Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Leveraged Finance Associate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Leveraged Finance Associate jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Leveraged Finance Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Leveraged Finance Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Leveraged Finance Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,449 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Associate - Finance - Growth Debt

UNAVAILABLE

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

About Latham & WatkinsLatham & Watkins is one of the world's leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers globally and offer unmatched expertise and resources to help you grow from an intellectually curious self-starter into an exceptional lawyer. If you aspire to be the best, this is where you belong.About the Practice GroupLatham's Banking & Private Credit Practice leads the market in every major financial center worldwide. We advise a diverse range of credit providers, including banks, financial institutions, and private credit funds, as well as borrowers ranging from major public companies and sponsors to startups and growth companies. This vast scale and deep experience provide Latham with an unmatched 360-degree view of public and private markets. Always Ahead of the Market We see more deals than any other law firm, annually advising on hundreds of financings valued at hundreds of billions of dollars. Our practice, distinguished by its breadth and sophistication, covers every key product and deal type in every major market. With a track record of firsts, we consistently top global league tables and industry rankings and remain ahead of market shifts. Leveraged Finance Leader Latham's deep understanding of the sponsor market and trend-setting capabilities uniquely position us to advise both lenders and borrowers on leveraged and acquisition financings. We navigate the complexities of syndicated and private credit markets, providing strategic advice to major players across all industries. Our pioneering work in the direct lending market enhances our ability to guide direct lenders and their borrowers through complex deals, leveraging market-leading capital markets, M&A, and restructuring experience to develop innovative structures and facilitate efficient dealmaking. Prowess in Syndicated Lending Our broad and sophistication practice covers every key market, structure, and deal type in the syndicated market. With our global footprint, we regularly top the legal advisor league tables for syndicated lending and have worked on many of the largest and most complex leveraged buyouts in multiple jurisdictions. With decades of experience guiding clients through broadly syndicated loans and asset-backed lending transactions, we are a key port of call for investment banks and borrowers alike when navigating this complex marketplace. Private Credit Pioneer Our practice, built on a foundation of innovation and experience, counts as clients the most active lenders, funds, credit platforms, and investment managers, as well as borrowers, in a wide range of transactions from the middle market to large-cap. We routinely guide sophisticated private capital providers through: First and second lien loans Unitranche loans Mezzanine loans Asset-based loans, including first-in last-out (FILO) loans Preferred equity and other junior capital transactions Our experience spans deal sizes from the middle market to complex multi-billion dollar unitranche transactions. We design and implement multi-tiered capital structures, addressing subordination, security, intercreditor issues, restructurings, equity co-investments, and tax and regulatory matters. Excellence Across Syndicated and Private Markets Clients benefit from our profound market understanding and strong relationships with key players, including leading global banks, private capital funds, financial sponsors, information sources, and other market participants. We collaborate across Latham's global private capital platform to deliver seamless services tailored to each client's strategy and transaction objectives. We draw on our vast network to answer niche questions, meet client needs, and make transactions work for all parties. Built for Complexity Our Banking & Private Credit Practice is built for complex, cutting-edge, and consequential deals. This vantage point allows us to anticipate market shifts and tailor solutions to specific financial goals and risk appetites, accelerating growth and unlocking shareholder value through creative and innovative financing strategies. Our team is strategically positioned to advise and address the needs of our clients in any market, drawing on a winning complement of deep product expertise, innovation, and exceptional execution capabilities.About the RoleAbout the Role The Growth Debt Group is seeking highly qualified midlevel associates with a minimum of 2 years of debt finance experience. Our clients are lenders and borrowers, mainly in the life science and technology spaces. Applicants should have experience with secured and unsecured lending, including familiarity with UCC secured transactions, leveraged finance and private capital. Main Contact DetailsLateral Recruiting - Finance LateralRecruiting.Finance@lw.comAdditional InformationInvesting in the well-being of our lawyers and staff is among the firm's highest priorities. Through our "LiveWell Latham" program, we offer best-in-class benefits and comprehensive resources designed to support you and your loved ones through all life's moments - from building a family and taking care of loved ones, to managing your health and saving for the future. Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute. We periodically provide demographic data to legal publications, bar associations, civic and community organizations, and in some instances, to local, state, and federal government agencies as required by law or contract. So that the firm can provide this information accurately, we request that you consider self-identifying. Please click here to review your rights under U.S. employment laws. In accordance with Latham & Watkins policies, associates in this role must protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains either as part of the legal services the Firm provides to clients or for internal purposes. Los Angeles: Latham & Watkins LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO). Please click the link above to review the Ordinance. San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please click the link above to review the Ordinance. Massachusetts: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. An employer that violates this law may be subject to fines and/or a private right of action for $500 in statutory damages "for each such violation," among other things.Pay Range

Associate Base Salary

Discretionary bonuses may be available depending on application circumstances and position.

Class ofUS Payroll2026$225,0002025$225,0002024$235,0002023$260,0002022$310,0002021$365,0002020$390,0002019

$420,000

2018$435,000Employment Type: OTHER