Position Summary

The Senior Associate will be part of the Hercules Capital Credit organization, a team of experienced risk professionals that lead the independent risk oversight of the entire business. 

The candidate will supervise the management of a substantial portfolio of existing loans and will contribute to managing and mitigating the risks associated with the assigned portfolio.  The individual will be responsible for providing independent risk-reward assessments for material portfolio events, ultimately supporting transactions at various stages of the approval cycle.  The candidate will be responsible for ensuring all transactions in their portfolio meet Hercules Capital’s minimum investment standards as required by applicable policies and procedures.

In addition, the role will involve the strategic management and work-out of problem credits in coordination with the Chief Credit Officer (“CCO”), recommending and implementing appropriate strategies to minimize potential losses and optimize overall outcomes for Hercules Capital.

Finally, the individual will also play an essential role in maintaining an investment culture within Hercules Capital by disseminating credit and equity expertise and best practices.

Essential Responsibilities

• Primarily responsible for the management of a portfolio of performing loans;
• Coordinate with the Investment Teams, CCO and the Investment Committee to ensure loan quality and risk rating goals are met while the proper reporting is consistently delivered and communicated;
• Develop an understanding of the underlying drivers of individual obligor performance including a broader view of industry-wide trends and end-market developments impacting the portfolio;
• Analyze historical and projected financial statements of both proposed and existing customers to evaluate financial strength, liquidity, debt service coverage and value of collateral;
• Review and provide critical opinions on the Investment Team’s quarterly management reviews for existing portfolio companies and approve for submission to Investment Committee for final approval;
• Identify problem loans and make recommendations for assignment of loans to the watchlist, which  is reviewed quarterly with the Board; coordinate with CCO on the strategy for managing through the restructuring process; recommend loans for impairments and non-accrual status;
• Negotiate legal documentation in partnership with the Investment Team in a manner consistent with the Hercules Capital Credit philosophy;
• Work autonomously under low supervision with minimal direction;
• Liaise independently with external professionals, including auditors, legal counsel, advisors, investors, other lenders, valuation specialists and auditors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Minimum 5 years of credit and investment experience in lending; exposure to Venture, Technology, and/or Life Sciences lending a plus.
• Experience with complex credits working at a major financial institution, credit fund, restructuring advisor or turnaround consulting firm, ideally with some restructuring experience including out-of-court restructurings, UCC foreclosures, and Chapter 11 & 7 liquidations.
• Attention to detail, exceptional analytical skills, and sound judgment.
• Strong accounting and finance knowledge coupled with strong negotiation skills and demonstrated experience navigating credit agreements and related documentation.
• A balanced problem solver with a high energy and a focused & disciplined approach.
• Strong interpersonal acumen with the ability to both effectively challenge and eagerly collaborate in a team-oriented environment.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills; must be able to clearly articulate and support Hercules Capital’s position both internally and externally.
• Ability to maintain poise and confidence in presenting to clients, senior management (including Hercules Capital Investment Committee) and auditors.
• Ability to multi-task and operate in a fast-paced, dynamic financial services business.