Associate, Capital Advisory

We are trusted investment banking advisors to business owners and senior executives of leading private equity firms and public and privately held companies around the world. Our services include mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and valuation and fairness opinions. As one tightly integrated team of more than 1,000 professionals across 15 countries, we offer an unmatched perspective on the global private capital markets, backed by superb execution and a deep commitment to client success. With extensive industry knowledge and relationships, timely market intelligence and strategic insights, we forge deep, productive client relationships that endure for decades. Learn more at www.lincolninternational.com.

At Lincoln International, we know that the success of our global organization is a direct outcome of the strength of our people. We encourage diversity of thought and create talent density by attracting, retaining and engaging high performers from all demographics, backgrounds and perspectives. We value diversity, equity and inclusion as a catalyst to foster innovation and creative problem solving, access the best candidates and adapt to a highly dynamic, competitive environment. We know that employing a diverse team and valuing the unique perspectives of our people allows us to better understand and serve the needs of our clients.

Lincoln International is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We encourage you to read more about our commitment to diversity and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) efforts.

In Germany, our team comprises over 90 bankers covering a very broad range of sectors, including Industrials & Renewables, Consumer, Technology, Business Services, Healthcare, as well as Capital Advisory, located in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin. We are proud to consistently rank among the top in M&A league tables, especially for sell sides for private equity clients. In 2023, Lincoln International successfully advised on over 300 transactions worldwide.

The European Lincoln International Capital Advisory Group successfully advised on 350+ transactions worldwide since its inception in the range of Euro 50 to 350 million. In 2024 we had another record performance of our global Capital Advisory Group by providing creative and alternative financing solutions to clients out of 5 European offices with more than 25 dedicated professionals in order to secure capital for acquisition financings, investments, refinancings & recapitalisations, staple financings staving off defaults, restructuring businesses and navigating distressed situations and bankruptcies, and developing structured capital solutions.

Your Role

Lincoln International is seeking an Associate to join our growing Capital Advisory Team, based in Frankfurt. Successful candidates have excellent cognitive and interpersonal abilities, want to develop their professional and personal skills, and are motivated by the prospect of building a leading M&A advisory firm.

Responsibilities at Lincoln International are often more entrepreneurial than at other firms providing self-motivated individuals with many opportunities to contribute to a dynamic and growing platform. Successful Associates are motivated self-starters with the desire and potential to succeed in a fast-paced, people-oriented and entrepreneurial environment.

Your role:

• Conduct market research and financial analysis to support client engagements.
• Support senior team members within the Capital Advisory Group (CAG) in Frankfurt in executing debt financing transactions (acquisition financing, refinancing and recapitalisation deals) as part of the wider European CAG team.
• Prepare marketing documents and pitches.
• Carry out financial analysis & modelling, including analysing business forecasts, scenario analysis and covenant sensitivities.
• Identify and contact finance providers on transactions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams both across Europe within the CAG team as well as local M&A teams to ensure seamless project execution.
• Attend client meetings and participate in discussions.
• Interact with senior bankers and clients’ senior executives.
• Lead or implement initiatives focused on growing the firm’s franchise value.

The firm offers a unique, flexible culture that rewards initiative and allows an Associate to develop as quickly as he/she is capable. The following factors differentiate the offering at Lincoln International:

• Unrivalled deal flow and the corresponding learning opportunities that arise from this.
• A true ‘mid-cap approach’, working in small deal teams with extensive client exposure as well as cross border contexts.
• Introduction to a vast array of industries.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and flat hierarchies, which will mean significant team exposure, including to very seasoned and experienced senior bankers and provides an opportunity to make a valued contribution and have an impact.
• A steep learning curve in corporate finance, valuation and strategic thinking.
• An extensive Training Curriculum at all levels.
• Opportunity to participate in our US and European Secondment Programmes.
• Mentoring Scheme, onboarding sessions and structured developmental feedback.
• The chance to build your career within a growth environment.

You Offer

The Associate position at Lincoln International offers an excellent learning experience and provides a solid foundation upon which an individual can build a future business career. Interested candidates should bring the following requirements:

• 3-4 years prior professional experience in Capital Advisory, Leveraged Finance, Transaction Services or Business Modelling experience, preferably in the mid market.
• Fluency and thorough understanding in Accounting, Corporate Finance and/or Leveraged Finance coupled with excellent Business Acumen.
• An exceptional, well-rounded academic background, ideally educated to Masters level in a business-related subject.
• Great analytical skills and attention to detail, along with a willingness to develop and learn.
• Solid and growing understanding of business models and sectors coupled with a good grasp of corporate strategy and themes related to company growth and development.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach, with a commitment to personal growth, underpinned through professional and academic excellence as well as other pursuits and personal projects.
• Adaptability, dependability and the ability to manage a dynamic workload.
• Clear and engaging communication skills- verbally as well as written. Is able to relate and connect to other stakeholders quickly- clients, management teams and LI colleagues.
• Collaborative style and a personally engaging manner.
• International experiences and perspectives.
• Excellent written and spoken German and English skills, other European Languages are a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

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