Alantra FIG, M&A VP (Athens, Greece)

Alantra is an independent global mid-market financial services firm providing investment banking, asset management, and private capital services to companies, families, and investors operating in the mid-market segment. The Group has over 650 professionals across Europe, the US, Latin America, and Asia.

Its Investment Banking division provides independent advice on M&A, debt advisory, financial restructuring, structured funding & asset backed securitizations, credit portfolio advisory and capital markets transactions, having advised on c. 750 deals for a total value of c. €187bn in the last four years. Alantra’s senior bankers and execution teams offer a global understanding of industry sectors combined with strong local relationships with the companies, investors, entrepreneurs, and financing institutions in each of its markets.

In Alternative Asset Management, Alantra offers its client unique access to a wide range of investment strategies in five highly specialized asset management classes (private equity, active funds, private debt, energy, and venture capital). As of 31 December 2023, assets under management from consolidated businesses stood at €2.2bn, while assets under management from Strategic Partnerships, in which Alantra holds a significant stake, were at more than €13.4bn.

For more information, please visit www.alantra.com

Job Description:

Financial Institutions Group overview:

ALANTRA FIG (Alantra’s Financial Institutions Group, part of the Investment Banking division) is a leading advisor globally to financial institutions and sponsors, with more than 100 professionals dedicated to the sector offering a full suite of independent Investment Banking services. The team has a strong local presence across the UK, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Portugal dedicated to transaction execution, structuring, pricing, modelling and transaction preparation. The team has advised on over 100 transactions for a total volume of over €60bn in the last two years.

ALANTRA FIG provide a full spectrum of services, usually under a single financial advisory mandate, covering all type of industries:

• M&A: Broad and full sector coverage with a proven track record of helping banks, lending platforms, insurance companies, asset & wealth managers, servicers, fintech, and all FIG related companies.
• Credit Solutions Advisory: Leading advisor on distressed and non-core assets transactions via whole loan or ABS (secured /unsecured NPLs, REOs). Experience across the full range of credit assets and securitization structures, providing expert advice for transacting in distressed loans to performing corporate receivables to real estate owned assets.
• Ratings and Capital Advisory: Alantra FIG’s Ratings & Capital Advisory Team has a longstanding track record in supporting financial institutions globally on their strategies with the credit rating agencies, balance sheet / capital management, and solutions to strengthen their credit profiles – driving ratings upside through the cycle and for transformative events

Alantra FIG Greece overview

Alantra’s FIG team in Athens offers the full FIG service suite to clients in the Hellenic region through its team of 10 professionals. The combination of strong local presence and a global platform with robust sector-focused capabilities has allowed the Firm to complete more than 50 transactions in the past five years, building a reputation for deep sector expertise and execution excellence with our clients in the region. Noteworthy recent transactions include acting as arranger and sell-side advisor to Piraeus Bank for a €500mn SRT securitisation and lead sellside advisor to Alpha Bank for an NPL portfolio with a total claim of c. €1.5bn, among others.

Role description

As a FIG M&A VP based in Athens, you will work in a highly entrepreneurial and inspiring environment and become an integral part of our FIG team with primary focus on FIG M&A in the region.

Business and financial delivery

Manage multiple M&A projects in parallel, oversee all workstreams to achieve a successful outcome and manage workflows between Ds/MDs and more junior members of the team; Lead the preparation of all deliverables by providing proper guidance to the more junior members of the team and ensuring that deliverables are always in the appropriate format and quality; Be able to take full ownership of a transaction end-to-end, including being the key contact for the client and all third-party advisors and investors, liaising with senior leadership to proactively inform them on progress and seeking guidance with respect to emerging risks; Ensure adherence to Alantra FIG’s risk and engagement compliance framework by properly educating more junior members of the team on the respective guidelines and making sure that all internal procedures and policies are followed, including, but not limited to, New Business Panel, Model Governance & Review, Conflict Check, etc.; Develop sectoral expertise that it leads to recognition and might be translated to identifying new opportunities;

Clients

Build strong client relationships and engage in regular catch-ups with key existing and potential clients in the market to identify new opportunities; Maintain regular dialog with clients both on the job and post-execution to become a trusted counterparty who listens to their needs; Manage client expectations around deliverables and provide guidance on the necessity and value-add of said deliverables; Provide clients with feedback received from the market and inform them on potential new offerings;

One FIG – People, collaboration, and internal matters

Participate actively in the recruitment process and provide mentorship to more junior members of the team by acting as a Performance Manager; Train the team both on the job and through conducting training sessions, not only in terms of technical capabilities, but also in terms of soft skills; Delegate based on individual’s capabilities, provide clear project goals, input, support and feedback on the job and ensure junior colleagues remain challenged and motivated; Deliver honest and timely feedback in a constructive and supportive manner, fostering open communication consistently throughout the year; Contribute to at least one FIG strategic initiatives; Assist senior management with marketing activities, by bringing ideas that will help our clients advance their strategic objectives and promote the Alantra brand across the industry;

Requirements:

• 5-6 years M&A experience within an investment bank, boutique or Big 4 firm
• At least 3 years recent FIG-specific sector experience is essential
• Preference for candidates that have credit experience (banking / lending / speciality finance) and not only pure Wealth / Asset Management / Broking experience (can have both). Experience in Insurance is a plus
• Experience in FIG M&A modelling and deal execution. Experience in LBO analysis is a plus
• Experience in reviewing analysts/associates work models, valuations, and training, mentoring and pitch presentations;
• Excellent financial knowledge (accounting and company valuation) and understanding of financial statements
• Entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to contribute own ideas and work autonomously
• Be comfortable to take a leading role in client pitches
• Strong multi-tasking and time management skills
• Capable of working under pressure and in a context of shifting priorities
• Strong communication and presentation skills (verbal and written)
• Attention to detail
• Strong academic background and results
• Proficiency in the use of Excel, Power Point, Word and Outlook
• Proficiency (both written and spoken) in English and Greek is a requirement

Application Details:

• Location: Athens, Greece
• Start date: January 2025 or as agreed with the selected candidate

Successful candidates will be contacted immediately.