Navigating a career in Private Credit: Paths for growth and advancement

If you’re in finance, you’ll have heard chatter about the rise of private credit. A pillar of alternative investment, the surge of this sector has brought a wave of opportunities. Private credit jobs are on the rise, with suitable roles for those who are just cutting their teeth and those already a few years in.

This sector is growing fast. Professionals have ample opportunity to grow alongside it. You can advance quickly, expand skillsets, and work on impactful projects. Safe to say, it’s the ideal time to be involved.

Interested in private credit roles? Let’s look at the ins and outs of this buzzing sector.

What is a private credit career?

You’ve heard how dynamic and exciting they are, but what does a private credit career actually entail? These jobs put you in the middle of a multi-billion-pound industry that’s changing the face of business funding. With banks lending less since the 2008 financial crisis, private credit fills the gap through non-bank lenders.

Private credit professionals navigate the “white space” of finance. There’s less red tape than with traditional banks, creating room to innovate. It’s a hands-on role, especially given how inherently close the credit is to the borrower. 

Working directly with borrowers to tailor financing solutions, there’s a host of roles at play. There’s plenty of room to find your fit in this thriving sector. 

Is private credit booming?

In a word, yes. The sector has experienced significant growth, exceeding £100 billion in the UK. All signs point toward the market being far from its peak. Some predictions point toward the private credit market experiencing annual growth of over 8.5% for the next decade. This impressive growth is here to stay.

This boom should be music to job seekers' ears. High demand means plenty of opportunities at all levels. If you’re looking to make your mark in a field with upward mobility and high-impact deals, private credit jobs are a promising path.

Key private credit jobs to look out for

The growth of private credit means there’s no shortage of roles. These positions cover various experience levels and skill sets. 

• Credit risk analyst - Risk analysts specialise in assessing the repayment ability of borrowers. If you love getting stuck into data and putting reports together, this is a great role for you.

• Investment analyst - These are the detectives of private credit. Investment analysts dig into company finances, run numbers, and assess risk to help decide if a deal is worth pursuing. This is often an entry level role.

• Portfolio manager - They’re responsible for monitoring and adjusting portfolios in line with market and borrower changes. It’s all about thinking fast and thinking strategically to maximise returns and minimise risk. 

• Fund manager - Similar to portfolio managers, credit fund managers have broader responsibilities across strategy and investor relations. In this role, you’ll work on creating and executing strategies to meet the fund’s goals.

These are just a few of the top private credit jobs out there, but there’s a wealth of further opportunities. If you want to contribute to the private credit ecosystem, we’ve got you covered. 

Private credit career growth opportunities

Many professionals in the field don’t stay in one lane forever. Private credit careers have ample room for growth. For one, many firms have clear promotion paths. You can kick off as an analyst and work all the way up the ladder. You’ll find that this is a sector where performance is rewarded.

Of course, not every career path is a straight line. Lateral moves are common and often encouraged. For instance, you may want to move from credit risk to portfolio management. You can run the gamut of private credit jobs to broaden the horizons of your skillset. 

What skills do you need for private credit?

Success in private credit hinges on a healthy mix of technical and soft skills. Certifications offered by the CFA can also help. Here’s a few of the skills that play a part.

• Negotiation skills
• Financial analysis 
• Credit modelling
• Relationship building
• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Risk mitigation
• Problem-solving
• Decision making
• Data analysis
• Networking

Find private credit jobs with Marks Sattin

At Marks Sattin, we know private credit inside and out. With over 30 years of experience in private equity recruitment, you’re in safe hands with us. We’re here to support you at every stage of your private credit journey.

Ready to take the next step? Check out our private credit jobs and find the perfect role for you.