(Senior) Associate Capital Advisory Frankfurt

Introduction

Squarefield is the leading corporate finance advisor exclusively committed to clients in the Food & Agri sector. Our expertise spans the entire value chain from inputs to consumer end-products. Our extensive knowledge of the Food & Agri sector allows us to deliver outstanding independent advice to our clients. Our ambition is to grow alongside our clients through long-term and trusted relationships, as well as commitment to an open, strategic dialogue. Services we offer range from assisting with the planning and scoping of corporate strategy right through to the execution of M&A transactions and capital advisory.

Our DNA and values

• Passion, fun and energy
• Open-minded, honest and personal communication
• Respect and trust
• Personal development
• “Practice what you preach”
• “We are in this together”

Global macro trends present significant challenges for our planet and mankind in the years to come. Never have we been faced with such major drivers of change, that are ultimately shaping our future. With a growing world population, changing climate and increased demand for Western-style diets, the Food & Agri sector in particular faces some clear challenges; in short, it must do more with less. There is an increased focus on efficiency and sustainability throughout the entire value chain. In addition, changing consumer preferences such as increased health awareness and a shift towards convenience products fuel the demand for continuous innovations.

German food companies are at the very centre of the German economy. The 625,000 businesses active in the food-related industries cover the entire value chain from farm to fork and employ almost 5.45 million people or 12.2% of the total German working population. On the back of the high product safety, quality, and supply reliability, there is also a growing domestic and international demand for food produced in Germany. This all results in the industry generating a combined revenue in excess of EUR 189 billion. With the entire industry investing in production capacity, developing new business models, the emergence of (smaller) niche players, and ongoing consolidation, we expect the M&A and capital advisory activity will continue to be high.

What will you do in this role?

We are a dynamic firm, and our close-knit team executes complex, often sizeable, high-profile transactions for renowned F&A clients. Our (senior) associates will actively maintain direct client contacts, develop new international relationships in our core sectors and generate new business ideas, as well as coordinate the execution of capital advisory mandates. In addition, they are role models for analysts in our team.

Your talent, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit will be applied to:

• Lead, monitor and be responsible for the preparation of client presentations, financing memoranda and financial models. Prepare transaction documentation, such as engagement letters, (indicative) term sheets, financing agreements (both on general terms & conditions of lenders and LMA), and perform detailed financial analyses;
• Support the team and take the operational lead in the execution of capital advisory transactions, both internally and externally;
• Manage due diligence and documentation processes, and maintain direct contact with clients, lawyers, and other external advisors during transactions;
• Research and monitor developments / trends in our focus sectors and identify potential business opportunities;
• Make a significant contribution to the operational and commercial development of Squarefield.

Profile

Do you want to make an impact on our customers, your colleagues and yourself? Do you want to bring your entrepreneurial skills to fruition? Is your motivation intrinsically cultivated, do you see new opportunities, and do you take initiative? You build and maintain outstanding relationships with your customers and know them well. Bringing just that extra to the table in relation to interpersonal, communicative, and analytical skills. You have a commercial vision and taking initiative comes naturally to you. You are driven by personal development and love learning and maximising your skills.

Do you recognise yourself in the following?

• Creative, entrepreneurial personality with well-developed general interests and a team-focused ‘performance-driven’ mentality, a true team player;
• International mindset and / or experience;
• Leadership, personal development and taking ownership are important to you, experience with guiding juniors and checking their work;
• Attention to detail and having a critical eye;
• Verifiable quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including strong financial modelling skills;
• Strong commercial and relationship-building skills;
• Natural project manager with well-developed planning and organisational skills and strong verbal and written communication skills in both German and English (additional languages are an advantage).

Competences

• Performance motivation, growth mindset and eagerness to learn;
• Attention to detail and having a critical eye;
• Strong financial modelling and analytical skills. Guiding juniors and checking their work;
• Pro-activeness and ownership;
• Strong communication, and interpersonal skills. A true team player;
• Problem analysis and judgement;
• Planning and organising skills.

Education and experience

• Masters degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics or Econometrics with higher than average grades. If you have a degree in another discipline but you can demonstrate strong grades and a solid foundation in (and affinity for) finance you are certainly welcome to apply;
• Significant transaction execution experience with 4-7 years of relevant work experience in an (international) investment banking or corporate finance environment, either as a capital advisor or as a lender in complex transactions.