Vice President/Director, Private Credit, Chicago

About Northleaf Capital Partners

Northleaf is a global private markets investment firm focused on mid-market companies and assets. With US$30 billion in capital commitments raised to date, Northleaf has an established, long-term track record as an investor in private equity, private credit and infrastructure globally.

Northleaf’s 280+ person team, located in Toronto, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Menlo Park, Montreal, New York, Seoul and Tokyo, is focused exclusively on sourcing, evaluating and managing private markets investments. Northleaf manages closed and open-end funds across a range of global private markets strategies and a series of separately managed accounts with customized investment strategies tailored to meet the specific needs of leading institutional investors and family offices. As part of its ambitious growth strategy, Northleaf is also developing specific private markets products and investment solutions for insurance and wealth management clients.

Position: Vice President, Private Credit, Chicago

Northleaf Capital Partners is expanding its global private credit business and is offering the opportunity to gain experience with a leading private markets investment firm as a Vice President on the private credit team in Chicago. 

The successful candidate will report to the Managing Director, Head of the Chicago office. The successful candidate will support the senior team on evaluating and underwriting private credit investments, including originating, screening,  reviewing, due  diligence, analysis ,  and ongoing  monitoring  of  private credit investments. 

Role and Responsibilities

Northleaf is seeking a driven individual with a minimum of 6-8 years of experience in direct lending to private equity sponsored companies. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic professional to build upon their experience in a demanding but rewarding team-based environment. 

As a member of the private credit team, you will lead a deal team focused on the evaluation, negotiation, and execution of private credit investments. You will also serve as origination contact to drive North American deal flow, collaborating with Northleaf’s private equity team and Chicago-based private credit team to leverage and extend Northleaf’s partnerships in North America. 

Day to day, your role will include:

Leading the due diligence process and working with a team of associates from the private credit team in preparing due diligence materials and developing balanced, fact-based investment committee recommendations

Negotiating key terms and legal documentation associated with the execution of investment opportunities

Ultimately managing the investment positions throughout the life of the investment

Managing a list of private equity sponsor relationships, communicating and marketing Northleaf’s solutions offering and generating new investment opportunities

Working alongside other senior team members to expand and extend Northleaf’s reach and profile across the private credit community

Representing and promoting Northleaf through attendance and speaking engagements at select industry events, conferences and workshops

Supporting the ongoing efforts of Northleaf’s investor relations team in servicing and expanding Northleaf’s private credit investor base by contributing subject matter expertise and market intelligence to ongoing marketing and investor reporting activities

Qualifications

Progressively senior role with experience in private credit investments

Proven track record of investment success, with clear evidence of investment acumen and judgement  

In-depth knowledge of investment markets and private credit products, with a strong technical foundation in corporate finance and accounting

Strong industry reputation and established network encompassing key industry players

Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including substantial experience in company and industry research, financial modelling, and valuation

Results orientated individual, with a proactive and creative approach to problem solving

Strong interpersonal and business relationships skills, with a clear partnership mindset and collaborative working style

Strong judgment and critical thinking skills, with the ability to articulate and present points of view and ideas effectively

Proven ability to successfully multi-task with strong attention to detail

Highly self-motivated, self-directed; demonstrated ability to be proactive

Demonstrably high standards of professionalism and integrity

Excellent academic credentials consistent with a senior level investment professional; a graduate degree in business, portfolio management qualification and/or a CFA designation would be an asset

What Sets Us Apart

At Northleaf Capital Partners, you’ll be joining a leading global private markets investment firm with a differentiated platform across mid-market private equity, private credit, and infrastructure. Our integrated approach and long-term perspective have made us a partner of choice to a global base of institutional investors – and that begins with our exceptional team of professionals.

At our core, our culture is built on the foundation of trust, openness, respect, integrity, and professionalism. These values guide every interaction with our investors, our partners, and one another. We are focused on building long-term relationships and creating a collaborative, professional environment where everyone feels supported and valued.

We foster a collegial and non-hierarchical workplace where ideas are valued, decision-making is grounded in data, and individuals are empowered to contribute meaningfully. Our success depends on an engaged and inclusive workforce, and we invest in fostering that culture. We celebrate the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our team members and are committed to ensuring a workplace built on inclusion and shared success.

We celebrate achievements, encourage teamwork, and work hard to cultivate a sense of community to achieve strong results. Our competitive total rewards package features an employer-funded benefits plan, an attractive retirement offering, which includes a group retirement plan and the ability to invest in Northleaf funds on a no fee/no carry basis, and a range of valuable perks such as fitness and wellness reimbursement, charitable donation matching, and tuition assistance. We also support flexible working arrangements, with up to two remote days per week and the option for fully remote for up to two weeks per year.

Location

Chicago, USA. North American travel required.

Contact

Interested candidates are asked to apply on Northleaf Careers. Only those selected to be interviewed will be contacted.

Northleaf Capital Partners is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible candidate experience. Should you require accommodations during the selection process, please do not hesitate to let us know and suitable arrangements will be made.