Associate - Financial Restructuring, Chicago

Business Unit:

Financial Restructuring Group

Industry:

General

Overview

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com.

Financial Restructuring

Houlihan Lokey has the largest worldwide financial restructuring practice of any investment banking firm, with offices and experienced professionals located across the globe. Since its inception in 1988, the restructuring group has advised on more than 1,900 restructuring transactions with aggregate debt claims in excess of $4 trillion. With nearly 300 dedicated restructuring professionals worldwide, our group has a significant global presence. We serve clients domestically and around the world, providing extensive resources to staff each case. Our broad base of clients and extensive experience allow us to understand the dynamics of each restructuring situation and the needs, attitudes, and positions of all parties in interest.

Job Description

An Associate in Financial Restructuring will work on a variety of transactions within the Financial Restructuring business, including debtor- and creditor-side engagements ranging from capital markets and refinancing transactions to M&A and broad restructurings. The group offers a unique opportunity for Associates to gain exposure across financial advisory and investment banking products and industries. These services include:

• Advising companies and stakeholders in out-of-court and in-court restructurings, 
• Raising third-party financing, 
• Providing distressed M&A advisory services, 

• Advising in bespoke special situations with one or multiple constituents, and 
• Participating in complex negotiations on behalf of our clients  

Associates are typically members of deal teams comprising at least one managing director, a director / vice president and financial analyst. 

Basic Qualifications

Teamwork is essential to the firm’s success. At the same time, creativity and new ideas are encouraged. Associates are given substantial responsibility and are encouraged to help us grow our business. The ideal candidate should be motivated, creative, and outgoing in addition to the qualifications below.

• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting and finance
• An undergraduate degree, including an exemplary academic record, from an accredited institution
• 3+ years of relevant work experience, including restructuring advisory, leveraged finance or similar roles
• Strong analytical/technical abilities, including complex financial modeling in Excel and use of AI tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing multiple project deliverables simultaneously
• Operational financial modeling and valuation experience
• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with all levels of staff
• Very strong work ethic and careful attention to detail

Compensation and Benefits

Houlihan Lokey is committed to providing its employees with an exciting career opportunity and competitive total compensation package, which may include other components such as discretionary incentive compensation. The firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible salary range for this role at the time of posting is:

$175,000-$200,000

Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience and the location where this position may be filled.

Houlihan Lokey provides a competitive benefits package. Our current benefits offerings can be found here:

2026 Benefits

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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