Investment Banking Associate - Corporate Advisory & Financing Group

The Advisory & Financing Group is at the cornerstone of SG’s corporate client value chain. The group works closely with sector coverage bankers and a wide range of product groups, acting as the primary investment banking corporate finance advisory and strategic situations financing group. Put differently, our group performance the corporate finance analytical work and executes M&A financing on behalf of the corporate coverage group and partners with coverage in interacting with clients. These clients span a wide range of sectors, typically CFOs and Treasurers of S&P 500 names from High Yield to the Mega Caps. Following the closing of Société Générale’s JV with leading equity research house Bernstein in April 2024, we also increasingly provide our advisory and credit solutions to high growth pre-IPO companies. Services we provide to our clients include the following:

• Differentiated corporate finance advice, including bespoke analysis of valuation drivers, capital allocation frameworks, capital structure optimization, etc
• Underwritings and commitments to corporate event-driven transactions, including financing for M&A transactions such as corporate acquisitions and separations.

Our corporate value chain has experienced significant growth over recent years. Clients recognize the quality of AFG analysis on engagements, for which we see continued momentum as SG invests to grow its M&A and ECM business in the US.

Advisory & Origination

• Lead projects under supervision of senior colleagues working with a pool of Investment Banking analysts to perform financial analysis and corporate finance advisory
• Combine conceptual and “real-world” corporate finance knowledge to form opinions and provide recommendations on acquisition financing / debt structuring / capital structure / capital allocation / debt raising / credit rating matters / valuation drivers
• Coordinate between different teams to structure multiproduct solutions and create cohesive recommendations, including: Industry Coverage, Debt & Equity Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Credit Ratings Advisory, Loan Syndicate, Equity Derivatives, IR/FX Derivatives,  ESG etc.
• Prepare high-quality, clear and concise, bespoke presentation materials 

Transaction Execution

• Perform due diligence, including financial, business, industry
• Advanced operational and financial modeling
• Lead the development of underwriting materials including financial analysis, credit memoranda, lender presentations, etc
• Define the risks, mitigants and investment highlights in underwriting or participating in a financing
• Liaise with credit and risk officers, legal, and other transaction groups to underwrite the transaction
• Contribute to the legal documentation process including NDAs, Advisory and Financing Engagement Letters, Commitment Letters, Term Sheets, Fee Letters, Credit Agreements

Technical Skills:  

• Understanding of corporate equity and credit “stories” and priorities of key stakeholders (shareholders, creditors, rating agencies, etc.)
• Knowledge of and experience working on corporate credit processes; due diligence, structuring, running internal / external deal processes
• Knowledge of financial accounting concepts and corporate finance valuation
• Strong financial modeling skills, including experience building three-statement models, detailed operating builds and capital structure scenarios, other bespoke builds
• Understanding of credit documentation, including credit agreements and indentures
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Soft Skills

• Resourceful, curious, driven, self-starter
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills
• Creative and innovative problem-solver
• Ability to generate opinions and ideas to assist clients in thinking about how to best run their businesses
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience training and working with IB analysts      

                  
Experience Needed:    

• 3 to 4 years of relevant investment banking work experience in leveraged finance, mid-market lending, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, industry coverage or related field
• Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from a top tier University, strong academic performance
• Languages (other than English): N/A

OUR CULTURE: 
At Societe Generale, we live by our 4 core values of commitment, responsibility, team spirit and innovation. We are engaged and demonstrate consideration for others. We act ethically and with courage. We focus our talent and energy on collective success. We experiment and propose new ideas. This way, we maximize our ability to serve client needs and anticipate market changes. Societe Generale is committed to strengthening bonds with colleagues, communities, and the world in which we live, because relationships are at the heart of how we operate.
For more information about our Culture and Conduct initiatives, please visit this link (https://americas.societegenerale.com/en/careers/get-know-culture/)

D&I: 
Our Diversity & Inclusion Mission: Recruit, develop, advance, and retain a diverse workforce that is united in our efforts to enhance our competitive position and deliver innovative solutions to our clients.

Our Diversity & Inclusion Vision: 
•     Engaged workforce that is demographically diverse in a way that reflects the communities in which we operate
•     Inclusive culture and workplace that recognizes employees' unique needs and utilizes their diverse talents 
•     Engage our community and marketplace, and position the organization to meet the needs of all its clients

For more information about our D&I initiatives, please visit this link (https://americas.societegenerale.com/en/societe-generale-about/diversity-and-inclusion/)

HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT:
For most positions, Societe Generale offers a hybrid work arrangement that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely, as well as on-site, in order to promote interaction and collaboration with colleagues while adhering to all SG standard protocols.  Hybrid work arrangements vary based on business area.  The applicable Business lines will determine and communicate the work arrangements that best meet their business needs.

COMPENSATION & SALARY RANGE:

Base salary range does not include overtime pay, bonus and/or other benefits, where applicable. Actual base salary offer will vary based on skills and experience.