Corporate Finance Associate

The Corporate Finance Associate at Puma Energy is a critical member of the finance team, tasked with supporting and driving key financial functions within the company. This role involves a broad spectrum of activities, including the development of financial models, aiding in the execution of external capital raisings via bond, private placement, secured or unsecured loans and trade finance. The role involves the preparation of essential strategic documents, structuring deals, maintaining compliance with financial regulations, and communicating with a variety of stakeholders to support informed decision-making. The position demands strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive approach to overseeing financial projects and initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy: Assisting the management team in defining the optimal group capital structure to support the business and its growth

• Deal structuring Helping to structure deals (bonds, private placement, secured or unsecured loans, trade finance). This involves understanding various financing options, legal and tax implications, and compliance with financial and regulatory requirements

• Financial modelling and analysis: Developing and maintaining detailed financial models to support valuation, planning, and forecasting processes

• Document preparation: Crafting key marketing documents such e.g. info memos, term sheets, bank presentations, roadshow presentations, etc…

• Participating in the negotiationof legal transactions documents: Term sheet, loan agreements, Indentures, security package and bond prospectus

• Market research: Conducting industry-specific research to identify trends, evaluate market conditions, and understand competitive dynamics. This information supports strategic decision-making and investment opportunities

• Internal reporting: Preparing internal reports and ad-hoc analysis for Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Finance Committee

• External reporting: Assisting in the production of external reporting materials (e.g. quarterly reports, financial statements, financial covenants certificate, annual report, etc…)

• M&A support: Assisting the M&A team in the execution / assessment of corporate finance transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures. This includes due diligence, document preparation, and transaction closing processes
• Investors relation: Interact regularly with rating agencies, research analysts (public and private side), credit analysts from banks to address their questions

• Professional Development Continuously upgrading skills and knowledge in financial theory, tools, and practices to stay current with industry standards and advancements

  Collaboration and communication: Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and knowledge exchange across the organisation to enhance financial strategies and organisational agility

Requirements:

Mandatory Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or similar Fields
• Master’s degree a plus

Experience:

• Minimum 4/5 years’ experience in loan syndication, DCM or leverage finance from a top tier banking institution

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Articulate and commercially minded: capable of speaking to senior representatives from banks, institutional investors, rating agencies and international law firms.
• Loan / DCM documentation experience: capable of discussing / negotiating (at least) commercial clauses with lawyers
• Excellent command in ppt, excel, word. Ability to build an integrated three statement model from scratch
• Strong capability to create rapidly high standard PowerPoint presentations
• Excellent knowledge of accounting and financial concepts including valuation techniques
• Attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting and analysis
• Problem-solving abilities to address complex financial issues
• Excellent project management skills for coordinating financial projects effectively
• Result orientated with ability to deliver on time and at an exceptional level
• Ability to work under pressure and meet time sensitive deadlines
• Good team player and strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of the commodity sector is a plus
• Knowledge of Trade finance products (LC, borrowing base, pre-export financing, prepayment) is a plus
• Good command of French and / or Spanish is a plus

• Internal: Puma Energy Board, Executive committee, Investment Committee< Communication team and the wider Finance community.
• External: Shareholders, commercial and investment banks, bond investors, credit and ESG rating agencies, international law firms.