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Leveraged Finance Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

5 Legal

Structured Finance Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

Top AmLaw 100 law firm seeks an associate to join their Finance Team in any of their New York ... Leveraged finance experience is preferred as well, but not required. Excellent academic credentials ...

5 Legal

Debt Finance Associate

Chicago, IL

Am Law top 10 and one of the world's most elite law firms seeks a highly qualified associate to ... Candidates with leveraged finance experience, particularly in the context of mergers and ...

5 Legal

Debt Finance Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

Top 200 AmLaw firm seeks an associate to join their Banking Practice Team in any of their New York ... Preferred experience includes sponsored finance, syndicated lending, acquisition/leveraged finance ...

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All JobsLeveraged Finance Associate JobsLeveraged Finance Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Leveraged Finance Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$31.4K

$72.5K

$142.2K

How much do leveraged finance associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for leveraged finance associate in Chicago, IL is $72,492.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $79,300.00 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 the most commonly searched types of Leveraged Finance jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Leveraged Finance jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Leveraged Finance Associate jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

What job categories do people searching Leveraged Finance Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Leveraged Finance Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Leveraged Finance Associate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Leveraged Finance Associate job openings:

Leveraged Finance Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Leveraged Finance Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,549 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Leveraged Finance Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel

Chicago, IL • On-site

$235K - $390K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Leveraged Finance Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel is seeking a Leveraged Finance Associate Attorney with 2–6 years of experience to join a leading global law firm and its highly regarded Finance practice.

Locations

Chicago or New York

Position Overview

The ideal candidate will have experience representing private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and/or financial institutions in sophisticated leveraged finance and debt financing transactions. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex transactions involving acquisition financings, recapitalizations, secured and unsecured lending, and other leveraged transactions.

Responsibilities
  • Represent private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and financial institutions in leveraged finance and debt financing transactions.
  • Assist clients in structuring and executing complex financing transactions.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate credit agreements, bond indentures, commitment letters, term sheets, security agreements, guarantee agreements, intercreditor agreements, and subordination agreements.
  • Advise clients regarding legal risks, regulatory requirements, and market practices affecting leveraged finance transactions.
  • Coordinate transaction closings, including preparation of closing checklists and management of transaction documentation and processes.
  • Address ongoing compliance and financing-related inquiries.
  • Collaborate with clients, opposing counsel, lenders, borrowers, and other transaction participants.
  • Utilize AI technologies responsibly and ethically to enhance document review and workflow efficiency.
  • Contribute to business development initiatives, including client presentations and thought leadership.
  • Monitor legal developments and market trends affecting leveraged finance.
Qualifications
  • 2–6 years of relevant leveraged finance or related transactional experience.
  • Experience representing private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and/or financial institutions preferred.
  • Strong experience drafting and negotiating complex financing documents.
  • Thorough understanding of secured transactions, syndicated lending, and acquisition finance.
  • J.D. from an accredited law school.
  • Admission in good standing to the New York Bar required.
  • Strong analytical, drafting, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines with strong attention to detail.
  • Familiarity with AI technologies and their responsible use in legal practice.
  • High level of professionalism, judgment, and integrity.
Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is $235,000–$390,000 annually, depending on qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors.

Application Requirements

Candidates should be prepared to submit a resume, cover letter, and law school transcript.